Beetle, Giant 1977 AD&D MM

General: All Beetles are basically unintelligent and always hungry. They feed on virtually any form of organic material, including other sorts of beetles. They taste by means of their antennae or feelers; If the substance is organic, the beetle then proceeds to grasp it with its mandibles, crush it up, and eat it. Because of this thorough grinding, nothing actually eaten by giant beetles can be revived in any manner short of a wish. Beetles do not hear or see well, relying primarily on taste and feel.

Bombardier Beetle: This beetle is usually found in wooded areas above ground. It feeds on offal and carrion primarily, gathering huge heaps of such material in which to lay its eggs. If this beetle is attacked or disturbed there is a 50% chance each melee round that it will turn its rear towards its attacker(s) and fire off an 8'X 8'X 8' cloud of reeking, reddish acidic vapor from its abdomen. This cloud causes 3-12 hit points of damage to any creature within it. Furthermore, the sound caused by the release of the vapor has a 20% chance of stunning any creature with a sense of hearing within 16' radius, and a like chance for deafening any creature within the 16' radius which was not stunned. Stunning last for 2-8 melee rounds, plus an additional 2-8 melee rounds of deafness after stunning. deafening lasts 2-12 melee rounds. The giant bombardier can fire its vapor cloud every third melee round, but not more often than twice in eight hours.

Boring Beetle: These beetles favor rotting wood and similar organic material upon which to feed, so they are usually found inside huge trees or in unused tunnel complexes underground. In the latter areas they will grow molds, slimes and fungi substances for food, starting such cultures on various forms of decaying vegetables and animal matter and wastes. These creatures are individually not of much greater intelligence than others of their kind, but it is rumored that groups develop a communal intelligence which generates a level of consciousness and reasoning ability approximating that of the human brain.

Fire beetle: The smallest of the giant beetles, fire beetles, nevertheless are capable of delivering serious damage with their powerful mandibles. They are found both above and below ground, being primarily nocturnal. Fire beetles have two glands above their eyes and one near the back of their abdomen which give off a red glow. For this reason, they are highly prized by miners and adventures, as this luminosity will persist for from 1-6 days after the glands are removed from the beetle. The light shed illuminates a 10' Radius.

Rhinoceros Bettle: This uncommon monster inhabits tropical and subtropical jungles. They roam these regions searching for fruits and vegetation, crushing anything in their paths. The horn of a giant rhinoceros Bettle extends about 6'.

Stag Beetle: These woodland dwelling beetles are very fond of grains and similar growing crops, so they will sometimes become highly pestiferous, and raid cultivated lands. Like other beetles, they have poor sight and hearing, but they will fight if attacked or attack if they encounter organic material, they consider food. The giant stag beetle's two horns are usually not less than 8' long.

Water Bettles: The giant water beetle is found only in fresh water of not less than 30' deep. As they are voracious eaters, they prey upon virtually any form of animal but will eat almost anything. Slow and ponderous on land, they move very quickly in the water, Giant water Bettles hunt food by scent and vibration.