Neutral Small Monster
Surprise normal; Senses excellent sense of small, can sense heat (living mammals) within 200 ft.
Armor Class 8
Hit Points 5 (HD 1+1; 1d8+1)
Move 3”; fly 18"
Poison 14, Petrify 15, Wand 16, Breath 17, Spell 17
Special Defenses none
Magic Resistance standard
To Hit AC 0: 18
Melee proboscis (1d3 plus blood drain; THAC0 15)
Special Attacks blood drain, weapon bonus (proboscis, +3); Hits As normal
Base Morale 51%
Intelligence animal (1)
Languages none
Level II
Blood Drain. (minor, 1 segment) Once the proboscis of the stirge hits, the stirge attaches to it's victim and, each round after striking (on segment 1), the stirge will drain 1d4 hit points in blood from it's victim. In order to forcefully detach a stirge from it's victim, it must be killed. An attached stirge is considered grappling so strikes against it could hit the victim (although any victim over 3 ft. tall is not considered grappled itself).
Weapon Bonus. A stirge gains a +3 "to-hit" with its proboscis attack.
Stirges are bat-like creatures that drink the blood of their victims for sustenance. They have four small, wickedly barbed legs that they use to clamp onto the necks (or other parts) of their victims. They are rusty-red to reddish brown in color, and their eyes and feet are yellowish. The long proboscises of stirges are pink at the tip, fading to gray at the base (near their heads).
A stirge’s body is about 1 foot long, with a wingspan of about 2 feet. It weighs about 1 pound.
Stirges are found only in very dark, tangled forests or in subterranean lairs. They lay in wait for warm-blooded creatures, swoop down, and when their long, sharp proboscis is attached, the blood of the victim is drawn through to be eaten.
Blood Drain. A stirge will attack by piercing a victim with it's proboscis, attaching itself with its barbed legs and draining its victim of blood. Once a stirge has drained 12 hit points value in blood, it will detach and flap off, bloated to digest it's repast.
Stirges have an acute sense of smell, can see in the dark, and can sense heat sources within 200 feet. These senses keep stirges informed when living creatures enter their habitat.
While just one poses little danger to most adventurers, multiple stirges can be a formidable threat.
A stirge colony's territory extends for only a mile in diameter, so stirges move around a lot after they've drained a region of the available blood. Often, the presence of stirges is only discovered long after the colony has departed, making it very difficult to track them.
Larger Stirges. Stories are told of larger, more deadly creatures that cause paralysis with a proboscis attack but no proof has yet been provided.
Level II.
Frequency. Uncommon; In Lair 60%
Number Appearing. 3-30 (Level II. 2d6+3; III. 4d4)
Environment. Underground; Temperate, faerie and sylvan settings (plains, forest, hills, mountains)
Treasure Type. D
Experience. Stirge. XP 46 (or 36+2 per h.p.)
