Gibberling

Chaotic Neutral Small Humanoid (4-5 ft. tall)

Surprise normal; Senses infravision 60 ft.

Armor Class 10

Hit Points 4 (HD 1; 1d8)

Move 9”

Poison 14, Petrify 15, Wand 16, Breath 17, Spell 17

Special Defenses none

Weakness (avoid bright light and fire)

Magic Resistance standard

To Hit AC 0: 19

Melee long sword (1d8, THAC0 18)

Special Attacks gibbering, weapon bonus; Hits As normal

Base Morale 50%

Intelligence low (5-7)

Languages none (but communicate among themselves in a limited way)

Level I

Sword, long. 1d8/1d12, Speed 5, Space 3, Length 3.5; vs. AC: 2: (-2), 3: (-1), 4: (+0), 5: (+0), 6: (+0), 7: (+0), 8: (+0), 9: (+1), 10: (+2)

Avoid Bright Light and Fire. Subterranean-based gibberlings will avoid attacking groups carrying bright lights (such as a continual light spell). They will avoid groups near large fires (like bonfires) and will avoid attacking individuals holding a naked flame, such as torch. Otherwise, they target creatures holding lanterns or that glow (as from the light spell).

Gibbering. Gibberlings attack in great numbers, uttering ghastly howls and insane chattering noises which cause even the boldest hirelings to check morale each round, though player-characters are not affected.

Weapon Bonus. Gibberlings attack with long swords and such is their skill in using these weapons that they strike with a +1 hit probability bonus.

Pale, hunched, naked humanoids with short legs and long arms, gibberlings are usually found in desolate woods or dark caverns underground. The subterranean variety loathe bright light and are particularly afraid of fire.

In all circumstances they will fight to the death, relying on sheer weight of numbers to defeat their enemies (which means virtually any creature which dares to venture into their territory, for gibberlings are highly aggressive).

Though they clearly have a primitive means of communicating among themselves, they have no discernible language. Curiously, though it might be expected that creatures who attack in such great numbers would have leader-types to control them and determine their policy, no such leader-types have yet been encountered. Nor are there, apparently, gibberlings of other than the warrior type.

ENCOUNTERS

Level I.

Frequency. Uncommon; In Lair 40%

Number Appearing. 40-400 (Level I. 1d12+5)

Environment. Temperate/sub-tropical, uninhabited/wilderness areas (forest)

Treasure Type. D

Experience. XP 18 (or 14+1 per h.p.)