Sparksting Swarm
A cloud of two inch blobs resembling airborne jellyfish hover in the air. Sparks of electricity snap and dance from creature to creature, and the swarm produces a noticeable hum.
Sparksting Swarm (CR 4)
Diminutive Magical Beast (Swarm)Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +8
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision, synapse sense 60 feet; Perception +1
Speed: 10 feet, Fly 40 feet (average) ( speed burst)
Space: 10 feet
Defense
Armor Class: 18, touch 18, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex, +4 size)Hit Points: 44 (8d10)
Saving Throws: Fort +6, Ref +12, Will +5
swarm traits
Immunity: electricity, weapon damage
Offense
Melee: swarm (2d6 electricity plus distraction)Reach: 0 feet
Special Attacks: Distraction (DC 14)
Statistics
| Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 (-4) | 18 (+4) | 11 (+0) | 1 (-5) | 12 (+1) | 9 (-1) |
CMB -
CMD -
Feats: Improved Initiative, Improved Lightning Reflexes, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes
Skills: Fly +21, Perception +1
Languages:
Special Abilities
Synapse Sense (Ex)
A sparksting swarm can detect the tiny charges caused by electrical impulses of brain activity in living creatures within 60 feet. Creatures without an Intelligence score or creatures immune to mind-affecting effects cannot be detected using this ability.Speed Burst (Ex)
A sparksting swarm can increase its speed by 10 feet for 1d6 rounds. After using this ability, it must wait 1 minute before it can use it again.Ecology
Environment: Warm MarshesOrganization: solitary, flight (2-5), or cloud (6-12)
Treasure: none
Sparkstings are found in remote swamps and marshes and from a distance, when the electricity in a swarm flashes, are often mistaken for will-o-wisps. These electrical flashes are used not only for attracting a mate, but also for luring in prey. Sparkstings are insectivores, and hunt by flying into a swarm of insects and flailing about with their tentacles. Electrocuted insects adhere to the tentacles, which the sparksting then draws into its mouth, located under its body.
Sparkstings are asexual and reproduce by budding. Mating season for these creatures is every few months, and the number of spawn is controlled by the amount of readily available light. Newborn sparkstings have tiny tentacles and do not generate the electrical discharge adults do. The tentacles grow rapidly however, and within three months, the creature reaches adulthood. The typical lifespan of a sparksting is roughly 1 year. The sparksting has few natural predators: other sparkstings and a few larger insects seem to enjoy dining on these creatures.
A sparksting is a tiny creature about 2 inches across. It consists of a membranous, fleshy bag with the consistency of egg yolk. Beneath the main body of a sparksting hang its tentacles, a fibrous mass that flickers with electrical arcs.
Sparksting swarms cloud the air around any creature that disturbs them, attacking like angry bees. Some spellcasters have begun experimenting with using sparkstings as alternate spell components for lightning bolt spells and in the construction of shock-based magic weapons.
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