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Description
The result
of atomic testing in the New Mexico desert in the
1940s, Them! are basically huge ants. They first
appeared in the early 1950s and were thought to be
finally eradicated shortly after their discovery.
The most commonly encountered Them! will be
the worker. These are 2.5 to 3 meters long and mass about 400 kg.
Because of their size they move fairly slowly -- about the speed of
a walking man. In the open they will be encountered singly or in
small groups (1-6 workers). They are completely mindless and will
not coordinate attacks (nor may they attack at all -- roll the
attack/flee numbers to determine their reaction), though they do
communicate with one-another after a fashion with a high pitched
wail/chirping sound. It is this noise that will tip adventurers off
to the presence of Them! Basically, this means alert adventurers
will not be surprised by these critters.
Them! attack using their mandibles. Once the
prey is firmly grasped, it is stung to death by the formic-acid
stinger on the ant's abdomen. The stinger itself causes 3D damage,
and the formic acid causes 3D damage per five-second round until the victim
dies. If encountered
in their nest there will be 6-36 workers present, as well as 1-6
juvenile queens and drones. Deep within the lair will be the queen.
No one has ever actually seen a queen, but she must truly be huge,
weighing in at more than a tonne.
Them! are omnivores and will eat just about
anything, though they have a penchant for sweet things such as syrup
and sugar. |
