Spawn call. Whenever the walker is distressed or engaged in combat it let's out a low pitch squeal only perceptible to creatures of its own kind or those next to the walker. This cry awakens any Crèche Larvae within 500 ft. and calls them to the walker's defense.
Upon hearing the call larvae within the walker's hollow will awaken and attack whatever assails the creature. Larvae outside of the hollow are not compelled to come to the walker's aid, but in most cases, unless it is a rival creature or the larvae are prevented from joining the fray, they will assist the distressed walker.
Mandibles. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 11). Until the grapple ends, the target takes 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage at the start of each of the walker's turns. While it is grappling a creature, the walker can’t use its mandibles to attack other creatures.
Description
These lumbering insectile behemoths live in the harsh environments of deserts and badlands. If a column of long-legged bugs can be seen across the plain or dunes, you may have encountered a colony of Crèche Walkers.
Despite their immense size these creatures cannot put up much of a fight alone and they are more often inclined to simply flee predators and hunting parties. However, it would be a mistake to trifle with a Crèche Walker, especially when it is with its colony. Crèche Walkers hold their eggs and their larval young in a hollow within their chitinous back-hump, these Crèche Larvae spend much of their time sleeping within these temperate confines or consuming carrion until they reach adolescence and can stand the extreme temperatures of the desert alone.
While in a larval stage, these creatures are extremely quick and much deadlier than their elderly counterparts, capable of mild psionics and equipped with sharp mandibles. Larvae will defend walkers from any dangers until it comes time for them to bear their own young and metamorphose into slow-moving, defenseless giants relying on their own spawn for protection.
Because of their ability to temperature regulate their spacious back hump hollows as well as their ability to withstand the searing desert days and frigid nights, these creatures have been domesticated for the purpose of trade and travel. The process of domestication is however, very brutal.
To make a Crèche Walker accept humanoids into its hollow, it must be tricked into thinking they are it's young. To do so the creatures must either be magically charmed or lobotomised, with the latter being the most common. Domesticated walkers will often be seen idling outside desert hubs, traveling across searing landscapes, or roaming wild looking for carrion to feast their colony, and more importantly, their young protectors.
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