gremlin

The Scourge of Shrym, the Bane of Beezelburf and the Calamity of Capstan, gremlins are ravenous, pointytoothed creatures drawn to the taste of technology. By worming their way into mechanical devices to devour them, they revel in grinding iron gears between their teeth while slurping up copper wire like Nork's Noodles. Usually found in nests beneath floorboards and city streets, gremlins were once considered a rare danger. But ever since the Dungeon Era's technology boom, the gremlin threat has risen, making quick enemies of modern day inventors, machinists, builders, scientists and engineers.

Names: Cruncher, Nibbler, Cogz, Nomz

abilities

Overrun

Gremlins overrun their enemies, attempting to find something tasty. Three or more gremlins may combine their Actions to make a single Attack (+1 Attack for each additional gremlin above 3). On a 9+ Hit, the PC is ENTANGLED.

Devour Items

Once every round, may try to grab a target's random item—even one that's being held—to devour it. The target must make a Nimbleness Check:

• 1–2. A Magic item (if possible).

• 3–5. A Magnificent item (if possible).

• 6–8. A Mundane item.

• 9–11. Nothing.

• 12+. The gremlin comically Defeats themself trying to eat an item.

vulnerabilities

Gremlins do not feel at home in the outdoors or wilderness, so it would be rare to find them outside of an urban environment or away from vehicles and machines. Trees make them uncomfortable, as well as naturally running water and any wide open space devoid of civilization.

social

Gremlins are drawn to anything manufactured or constructed: weapons, armor, tools, vehicles, and especially devices with mechanical components. They care nothing for eating creatures but fight tooth and nail to get what they want. Gremlins are known for their highly volatile personalities and incessant in-fighting. It is not uncommon to see a group fighting amongst themselves for the rare treat of devouring a stick of dynamite, only for one gremlin to blow themself to smithereens with a mad, cross-eyed grin.

combat

Gremlins spread out and attack their foes in small groups (usually three or more). They prefer to dismantle and eat large mechanical devices if present, otherwise they overrun their enemies and devour their items.

defeat

Gremlins skitter back to their hiding hovels to hibernate, awaiting townsfolk and crafters to rebuild their wares to devour them in the future. Sometimes they leave a tiny marble-sized egg or two behind in a victim's belongings to proliferate their clans in secret.

victory

Gremlins, left unchecked, devour every last technological fragment. Whole workshops, entire armories, smithies and mills will be wiped clean.