FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Wilderness Forests], [Temperate Wilderness Swamp], [Temperate Wilderness Plains])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Dungeon Level VII])


NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 3
MOVE: 12"
HIT DICE: 9
% IN LAIR: 10%
TREASURE TYPE: [SB]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 3-12
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Death vibration
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil / camouflage
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (5' long)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VII | 1400 + 12

This monstrous insect is found in temperate regions. It is particularly
dreaded as it often disguises itself. These disguises range from wearing
carapaces of other giant beetles to sticking rubbish to itself with a glue of
earth and saliva. Although commonly encountered outdoors, death
watch beetles of the giant sort have also been known to invade subterranean
areas in search of food.

The normal attack of a death watch beetle is by biting with its great
mandibles. Before such an attack, however, the monster will make a
clicking sound with its carapace. This sound produces sonic vibrations
which are deadly. Creatures within a 30-foot radius must save vs. death
magic or die. Those saving must take from 5-20 points of damage. The
clicking of the death watch resembles that of a drum or gong. As the
sound is diffused and seems to come from everywhere, location of the
monster thereby is 90% unlikely. After 1 round, the vibrations have the
stated effect. The effort required to produce the killing vibrations issuch
that the monster is able to perform the clicking only once every 2-5
hours.

Treasure: As a death watch moves frequently in search of food, it is unlikely that it
will have treasure, other than an incidental item possibly stuck upon its
back as camouflage. Even if a beetle stays in one locale for an extended
period (10% chance) only the treasure carried by victims slain by the
monster will be in the area.