Castles In The Sky

Name: Axehead Scorpion
Type:  Large Vermin
Hit Dice: 5d8+10 (32 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 50 foot (10 squares)
AC: 16 (-1 size, +7 natural) touch 9, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+11
Attack: +6 melee (1d6+4)
Full Attack: 2 claws +2 melee (1d6+4), Sting +8 melee (1d8+5 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks:  Poison
Special Quality: Darkvision +60, Immunity to poison, Tremorsense, Vermin traits
Saves: Fort +6, Reflex +1 Will +2
Abilities: STR 19 DEX 10, CON 14, INT 1 WIS 10, CHA 2
Skills: Climb +8, Hide +2, Spot +4
Feats:  Alertness, Endurance, Iron Will, Track, Weapon/Armor Focus (Bite)
Climate / Terrain: Caves
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: 1/10 coins, 50% goods;50% items
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement 6-9 HD (Large), 11-19 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: N/A

Though not true scorpions, these insect-like creatures are referred to as scorpions nonetheless. They have a curved armor-like shield that covers their head and fans out to include two sharp fins on either side. Six jointed legs covered in thick exoskeletons rest underneath the slender body. Four whip-like tails each tipped by long, sharp claw and a short finger like appendage extend from the end of its body.

Coal-red eyes three large eyes are placed above two much smaller ones in the shelter of a ridge of exoskeleton; a half-circle of red curves above the other eyes like a beauty mark. Two small pinchers flex restlessly under the mouth.

Axehead Scorpions are usually azure in hue with stripes of black crossing over their thorax and tail-claws. Black circles cover the joints of each leg and the tips of each claw are usually solid black as well. Their pale, watery hue and the stripes of darker color help disguise them in their favored habitat of shallow pools inside caves or in the dark eddies of lakes and rivers. They are mainly nocturnal but, have been known to appear on cloudy or rainy days.

Combat: Axehead scorpions prefer to lurk and observe rather than attack immediately. They will assume a threat display if threatened but, will not follow up on the threat unless they feel under attack. Axehead Scorpions will charge when attacking with their tail-claws raised and ready to sting.

Constrict (Ex): An Axehead Scorpion deals automatic claw damage on a successful grapple attack.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an Axehead Scorpion must hit with a claw attack. It can use either its Strength or Dexterity modifier, whichever is greater, for grapple checks.

Poison (Ex): Axehead Scorpions have a poisonous sting. Strangely, those stung by the Axehead Scorpion often feel nothing or very little. Victims often do not realize they have been stung.

 

The immediate effect of the Axehead Scorpion is the loss of sensation in the affected area which quickly spreads along the veins to numb the entire appendage. More stings may cause the numbing sensation to spread further. A few (1%) will have an allergic reaction to the sting and feel an incredible burning sensation.

 

Society/Organization: Axehead Scorpions are generally solitary creatures though they are often found near others of their kind (1d6 within each square). Generally Axehead scorpions within the same are will be roughly the same size and age.

 

Female scorpions release a pheromone once a year that attracts the males to seek them out. After breeding, the males leave quickly before they can be eaten. The females store the eggs on their outer carapace where they soon hatch into tiny versions of their parents.

 

Baby scorpions remain on their mother’s back for the two months. The young live off of her prey, leaving for short periods of time to eat and drink before returning to safety. After their first molt, the young scorpions leave their mother and set out on their own.

 

Axehead Scorpions lurk in pools in caves, around underground streams and the dark shallows of rivers as well as along crannies of mountains and riverbanks. They use their numbing sting to strike prey before capturing it to eat.

 

Larger creatures unwise enough to stick their appendages or body in an Axehead Scorpion’s lair will also be stung. The scorpion will then wait for the poison to spread its numbing effect before taking a nibble of the victim.

 

This can be especially damaging to those swimming through ponds or caves filled with scorpions. Once injected with the poison, the victim exudes a scent detectable by other scorpions that attract them to feed. The numbing effects of their toxin masks the many small nibbles and bites as well as new stings that deaden flesh.

 

Blood loss, allergic reaction, and infection claim many of those careless enough to swim through scorpion-infested waters or sleep in their caves. A layer of thick pants and boots is enough to protect vulnerable flesh. Those who stop often to check for exposed skin and look for damage will also avoid anything more than minor injuries.

 

The Scorpion’s feeding habits have gained it the nickname of Blue Shadow and Lurking Nibbler scorpion as well. Their quiet habits and reticence make them surprisingly good pets as long as they are kept well-fed. Owners often make sheaths for their stingers and train them to sting on command.

 

The Axehead Scorpion is valued for its numbing toxin. A salve made from Axehead Scorpions can numb the pain of any wound which speeds healing and removes any penalties for shock or pain. Creatures or players treated with the salve can move normally despite potentially crippling wounds (as long as they are not maimed too badly to move).

 

A potion of the Scorpion’s distilled toxin can also numb those facing surgery, harboring parasites, or suffering from painful diseases or injuries. In the hands of those skilled in medicine or healing the potion is an invaluable aid to anaesthetize their patients.

 

The Axehead scorpion is also useful in necromancy spells or other spells that deal with poisons and the manipulation of flesh. The addition of Axehead scorpion toxin or stingers to spells can cancel out what would be painful effects (however it can amplify painful effects on a backfire or miscast).

 

Live Axehead scorpions are worth 20-30 gold each. Their preserved body parts are worth 10-15 gold pieces a pound. Potions or salves made from them are worth about 10-30 gold each depending on potency and number of uses.

 

 

 

 

In healing, the management of pain is the most important aspect of patient care. Therefore, it is often most neglected aspect as well.

 

Pain not only clouds the mind and dulls the responses of the intellect but, it cripples the ability of the body to heal. The body’s resources are wasted on attempting to heal the pain instead of injuries. Strength is sapped when it is most needed.

 

The concerned healer should attempt to conserve the patient’s resources by eliminating unnecessary pain whenever possible. A patient who is at peace will heal a more rapid pace, suffer less, and develop fewer complications. They will soon learn not to dread injury or disease which in itself can create a cycle of fear that makes their condition worse.

 

Patients who believe they will heal and do not suffer needlessly will heal faster and suffer less. Injury and sickness will cease to become frightening unknowns but, instead will become unpleasant episodes much like many natural functions.

 

To this end, it is the healer’s responsibility to become intimately acquainted with the infliction and prevention of pain. The nature of pain and its intertwined relationship with pleasure is the core of our studies.

 

 For those who would seek to eliminate all pain,  I give this warning. In the depths of caves and the dark shallows of rivers lurks a scorpion-like creature as pale as flame with a distinctive axe-shaped head. It hunts by stinging its prey with a toxin that numbs all pain from an area. Once the poison takes affect, even the most grievous of injuries will not cause even a moment of discomfort. 

 

The hapless victim becomes careless with the numbed appendage as the scorpion feeds upon the deadened flesh. Bruises, scrapes, cuts, and bumps that would normally warn the victim with flashes of pain, are silent. As the deadened flesh is scraped, cut, bruised and bumped even more, the injuries become more and more severe. Other creatures are attracted to the battered flesh and spilled blood to feast upon the unwary victim.

 

Infection is likely to set in among the many open wounds that can spread up the body to attack the heart and mind. Death comes swiftly and often with little pain to those wandering amid the Axe-headed scorpions without proper care.

 

Ironically, the Axehead Scorpion’s toxins are used for the prevention of or dulling of pain. In the hands of the inexperienced they can cause great tragedy when new wounds are allowed to form and old wounds are allowed to fester.

 

Gladiators who use the potions and salves made from Axehead Scorpions have been known to collapse days after matches where they suffered severe injuries. Lack of treatment or care leading to blood loss and infection sapped their strength along with their fights until they had no more to give.

 

As unpleasant as it is, pain is the body’s way of warning against foolish risks and dangerous behavior. It reminds of us of how fragile the flesh is and prompts us to be careful with it.

 

As in all things, pain is best in moderation. It becomes critical that the healer know what that moderation is. To that end, I have put pen to paper to write this treatise to help the healer know and understand pain.

 

It is my hope that this tome will help both the healers and their patients. To understand a thing is to know it, to know it is to master it.

 

Lyrissa Goldenhope

Year of the Amber Rain

 

Introduction to “The Healer’s Guide To Pain” By Letheria Goldenhope. A definitive work on the causes, infliction, healing and prevention of pain.