[The “First Level Foes” PDF was themed around low-level monsters. I used this image as my avatar on this site for about a year or so.]
Aquib This bizarre creature has five
insectile legs, each tipped with a single jagged claw. Its entire body is
covered with eyes in a myriad of shapes and sizes.
Aquib are
mysterious creatures that are attracted to magic like moths to a flame. They
occur sporadically in any sort of climate or terrain, and are most common in
places where spellcasters are numerous. Nomadic creatures, aquib wander
seemingly at random in search for magical items or spellcasters. When these are
detected, the aquib fly into a berserk rage, attempting to destroy the item or
kill the spellcaster without regard for their lives. Despite their ability to
gain power from spells cast at them, a single aquib is generally little more
than a nuisance to any but a lone and inexperienced arcanist. A swarm of the
creatures is underestimated at great peril.
Aquib do
not seem to require nutrition in the conventional sense, as they neither eat
nor drink. It is theorized that the magical energy released when an item or
spell-caster is destroyed provide their only sustenance. They are genderless
and reproduce by budding when sufficiently sated by magic. The aquib are
gregarious creatures and often use rudimentary teamwork to overcome their prey.
An aquib is about a foot in diameter and weighs 30 pounds. Although all five of
their legs bear vicious claws, they can only bring two to bear at any time on
an opponent.
The aquib are notorious pests of the Schools of Sunken Stone and Soaring Skies, appearing periodically to attack students. Many extermination attempts have been made over the centuries, but the creatures never stay gone.
Shores of Swords 