“The Gutters Slasher.” “Full Moon Killer.” “The Buzzing Horror of Lankkirk.” “Dr. Bones.” What do these four infamous killers have in common? They are all the same creature, or rather collection of creatures. Each beetle of this unique hive is crested with what appears to be a tiny, human skull of off-white with scarlet wings under a darker red carapace. Though, this sentient swarm isn’t spotted in its natural state often, and those that see it usually don’t live to tell the tale. Most of the time, the swarm nests within a humanoid corpse, which it animates. The insects take great care to keep their walking hive clothed while breeding and feeding in the rotten flesh. It’s not long, however, before skin sloughs away, revealing bloody honeycombs strapped in place with cloth or leather. The corpse’s eyes are always eaten first, with two fat, skull-headed grubs taking their place. Sometimes Deaths’ Head claims it came to be by feeding on the body of a lich, mummy, or vampire of som...

Most butterflies drink flower nectar to survive but resort to sucking the putrid juices of a corpse instead of starving. Not so with the gossamurder. The dog-sized insect eschews ambrosia all together in favor of rancid blood. Its dappled wings are dotted with purple splotches, antenna adorned with barbs. Most would say its body resembles a spider more than a butterfly. Ill Omen. Soldiers consider a sighting of a gossamurder feeding on a corpse a forewarning of tragedy. They will often simply refuse to fight until the insect is caught and burned to ash. If the gossamurder gets away it is not unheard of for a commander to retreat to a different position entirely rather than ruin the morale of his troops. Gossamurder small beast, unaligned Armor Class 14 Hit Points 27 (5d6+10) Speed 10ft Flight 30ft Str 5 Dex 18 Con 15 Int 2 Wis 11 Cha 4 Condition Immunities Poisoned Damage Resistances N...