Warning: Pre-Alpha

This game is currently in pre-alpha, and at this time, I do not recommend running a game in it yet. Every single game mechanic and piece of lore is subject to potentially breaking changes.

Thank you for your interest in this game! You can follow its development at https://www.youtube.com/@trekiros

-Trek

Phyto-Ant Ergate

These phytozoids are the most prolific species on Earth after the Flare. Due to their anatomy which is well-adapted to absorbing solar radiation, they can grow, up to the size of a horse.

Phyto-ants, just like their regular counterparts, are an eusocial species: they communicate through pheromones, and dig sprawling tunnel networks where they can protect their Queen and their hatchery.

The ergate is the most common type of phyto-ant - they gather food for their eggs, explore their territory, and build tunnels and pathways for the rest of the colony to use.


A prized mount. Raiders often have gruesome rites of passage for their members, designed to weed out the weak. And one of the most common rites of passage is for a new raider to attempt to tame a phyto-ant and make it become a mount they can use during their raids.

There are two ways to do so, and both are incredibly dangerous: the first is to attack a phyto-ant colony, and steal some of their eggs so the ants can be raised to obey humans from birth. The second is to isolate an adult phyto-ant, and fight it into submission - a much more popular method among raiders.

1d6Adventure Seeds
1The local raiders have taken hostages, and they're only willing to negociate for their release with people who can prove their worth. It's up to the party to perform a feat of strength of their choice, but it must be at least as impressive as stealing a bunch of phyto-ant eggs.
2The local raider overlord has reportedly tamed a phyto-ant queen! Someone needs to sneak into their camp, and slay the queen!
3While traveling, the party stumbles upon a wounded phyto-ant. If they nurse it back to health, the ant will stick around the party.
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Phyto-Ant Ergate VTT token

Phyto-Ant Ergate(Giant Insect, Mount, level 1)

 

A creature riding this phyto-ant can spend 5 AP to make a medium (DC 10) Presence roll. On a success, the ant takes its next turn during the rider's turn.

 

Using a movement action does not cause the phyto-ant to lose focus on it grappling another creature.

On its turn, the ergate tries to grapple an enemy with its pincer, and then uses its quick movement to isolate the grappled creature from its allies.

 

1d8!+3 🪓 damage, melee, and on hit, the phyto-ant can grapple the target without spending an action.

While within its tunnels, the phyto-ant can walk on walls and ceilings without falling.

Interaction Options

 

The phylo-ant's armor is reduced to 5, and the Legs called shot can now be used (until the next time the phyto-ant rests)

 

The phyto-ant becomes restrained until it regains at least 1 hit point.

 

The phyto-ant's head explodes. It continues acting until the end of its next turn, then it dies.