Construct Nature. The clockwork ant doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.
Immutable Form. The clockwork ant is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.
Limited Telepathy. The clockwork ant can magically transmit simple messages and images to its queen, provided the queen is within 250 feet of it.
Magic Resistance. The clockwork ant has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw, taking 5 (1d6) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Collect. When the clockwork ant hits with a bite attack, they may use their reaction to unwind fabric, sever leather straps, or rip of chunks of metal. Roll a d20.
| 1-10 | The ant rips off a bit of fabric from the target's clothes. |
| 11-15 | The ant clenches further and rips off a chunk of flesh (1d6 piercing damage) |
| 16-19 | The ant severs and holds the target's coinpurse. |
| 20 | The ant forages for an unequipped item of uncommon or higher rarity. |
Description
Gleaming metal and whirring gears make up the form of this elaborate mechanical insect the size of a large mouse.
Bejeweled Familiars. Forged as an automated workforce, the clockwork ants systematically collect resources from natural sources. These ants communicate with a queen, which gives them orders to follow out. An ant can be taken from their queen, and once outside of 250 feet from them, they deactivate. They can be reactivated with a successful DC 15 Intelligence (arcana) check, and commanded with a mindlink stone.
Hidden Timers. The most talented gear-mages occasionally design a clockwork ant with a hidden countdown clock that silently ticks down over years or even decades. When the counter expires, it triggers a mechanical metamorphosis, causing the beetle to rapidly transform into a completely different clockwork creature—a wondrous surprise known only to the original designer.
Freed But Foolish. Clockwork ant swarms form when several of the creatures break free of their queen and form a symbiotic hive, sharing a singular rudimentary mind.
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