One of the few remaining relics of The Old Times, this creature once nestled in the branches of The Great Tree itself. Feasting happily on its golden fruits and primeval Magyks, the creature began to grow fat and complacent, taking on the glorious shine of these fruits it consumed. Despite these gifts, the creature was unsated and became curious as to how it could develop by tasting other fruits.
Craving more, the creature reached out and took a bite from the nearest flesh, finding a fledgling Kokiri child almost ready to emerge from it's pod. The Great Tree could not bear to hear the cries of it's child and cast out the greedy creature.
This vile being now exists as a ravenous, golden parasite, punished for it's selfish greed. It is cursed with an insatiable hunger for power and strength, one it can never fully attain.
Once per long rest, if the attuned creature plays a part in the death of another powerful creature, the beetle will attempt to consume this foe's essence. If the attuned creature is lower in level than the target's Challenge Rating, the beetle restores the user's Hit Points by 1d4 per level difference. If the attuned creature is higher than or equal in level to the target's CR, they will acquire the ability to assume some aspects of the recently killed enemy. Once per long rest, to channel this power through them, the attuned creature must sacrifice a portion of their HP that additionally reduces their maximum HP until the user's next long rest.
The aspect assumed lasts for 10 minutes and is dependent on the user's sacrifice:
1d4: One Ability Score (e.g. Strength = 18)
2d4: One Trait (e.g. Saving Throw, Immunity, Resistance, Sense, Language)
3d4: One Ability (e.g. Devil's Sight, Magic Resistance)
4d4: One Action, Bonus Action, or Reaction (Multiattack, Tentacle, Blade Arm)
An ancient stag beetle can retain the essence of multiple creatures, able to channel a variety of abilities suitable for different situations. If separated from its user, the beetle will gradually make its way back to them but will stop moving if being observed.
A side-effect of being attuned to this wondrous creature is the development of an intense hunger that can drive its user mad if unmanaged. The attuned creature is compelled to devour at least one other creature every day. Consuming plant life can extend this by 12 hours. If the attuned creature does not feast by then, they will enter a frenzy, compelled to acquire sustenance as soon as possible, regardless of the means. During this time, any attempts to dissuade the attuned creature are rolled at disadvantage, and actively preventing them will provoke hostility.
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