Considered mysterious by humans, aspis are seldom encountered in populated lands unless raiding for food.
They commonly live in small groups, tending to their own business and only occasionally dealing with outsiders.
Few people can report of ever meeting one of these creatures, and the existence of larvae and cows are only a rumor.
These must xist, however, as they are necessary for the survival of the race.

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Temperate Wilderness Hills], [Temperate Wilderness Forest], [Temperate Wilderness Plains], [Temperate Wilderness Desert])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Tropical Wilderness Hills], [Tropical Wilderness Forest], [Tropical Wilderness Plains], [Tropical Wilderness Desert])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Dungeon Level V])

NO. APPEARING: 2-20
ARMOR CLASS: 3(2)
MOVE: 15"
HIT DICE: 6
% IN LAIR: 30%
TREASURE TYPE: [F]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 ~ 13
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4/1-4 or by weapon type
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Very
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: M
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: V | 300 + 6

Aspis drones are the adult males of the nest and perform all functions dealing with the outside world.
These creatures lack individual identity even to the point of not having personal names.
Fierce warriors, they are capable of using all weapons but bows and can fashion items they need with skill.
Although they prefer to travel on all 6 legs, in combat they will stand on their hind legs, using the other 4 to wield 2 weapons and 2 shields (making their AC 2).
They are fanatically loyal to a single cow and will defend her to the death.
They are immune to electrical and cold attacks and will only take half-damage from fire-based attacks.

Aspis drones speak their own language and 5% will be able to speak Common.
They do not have a written language per se but may communicate by using subtle scents and perfumes.

Drones are 6 feet long and look like giant weevils.
They have an extremely long proboscis and multifaceted eyes.
Their diet consists of vegetable matter and meat.
Blood is a preferred drink among them.

Aspis Larva

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Temperate Wilderness Hills], [Temperate Wilderness Forest], [Temperate Wilderness Plains], [Temperate Wilderness Desert])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Tropical Wilderness Hills], [Tropical Wilderness Forest], [Tropical Wilderness Plains], [Tropical Wilderness Desert])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Dungeon Level V])
NO. APPEARING: 3-30
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 1" // 6"
HIT DICE: 2 to 5
% IN LAIR: 90%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-7
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Immune to acid
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE:
    2 HD = II | 28 + 2
    3 HD = II | 50 + 3
    4 HD = III | 85 + 4
    5 HD = III | 130 + 5

Aspis larva are the offspring of the nest.
Ranging anywhere from 1 1/2 to 3 feet in length, they resemble fat, white grubs.
They are blind and deaf but can locate and identify other creatures through vibrations and scent.
They have voracious appetites and require an almost constant supply of food.
They are most commonly found in hatcheries maintained by the drones, which are usually pits of rotting materials in which the larvae swim or burrow or feed.
Occasionally the drones will select 1 larva and feed and treat it in such a way that it will not develop along normal lines, but will instead become an aspis cow.

Aspis Cow

FREQUENCY: Very rare
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Temperate Wilderness Hills], [Temperate Wilderness Forest], [Temperate Wilderness Plains], [Temperate Wilderness Desert]) <>
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Tropical Wilderness Hills], [Tropical Wilderness Forest], [Tropical Wilderness Plains], [Tropical Wilderness Desert])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Dungeon Level V])
 

NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 3"
HIT DICE: 10
% IN LAIR: 95%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 3-18 ~ 10
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB]
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Low
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VII | 1350 + 14

Unlike other larva who metamorphose into drones, the cows retain their larval form, becoming huge and bloated females, 10-15 feet in length.
Their sole purpose in life is to lay eggs for the nest.
They are sluggish creatures, but their large size makes their bite dangerous.
In addition, their skin exudes a milky, acidic slime that will eat through metal or wood in 1 round and will burn exposed flesh for 1-8 points of damage each round until washed off.




Aspis lairs are found underground and consist of sloping tunnels bored through soft rock or dirt.
A lair or nest will contain 1-3 egg chambers, 2-4 granaries, 1-6 grub hatcheries, and a central chamber.
The tunnels are commonly about 4 feet high and will be well-defended by traps and guards.
The grub hatcheries will contain 1-10 larvae each.
Only 1 cow will be found in any nest.
There is a 10% chance that 10-100 giant ants will share the nest with the aspis.

Above: an aspis mini, made with a 3D printer.
galvanize