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Greensting Scorpion, “Emerald Shadow of the Underbrush”

“This deadly Greensting Scorpion ambushes from forest shadows, its razor-sharp sting delivering sickening venom before you even know it’s there!”

Its body is compact and flattened, no larger than a human hand, with a segmented, jade-hued exoskeleton that shimmers with subtle iridescence in dappled light. Slender legs tipped with tiny hooked claws allow it to scale bark or cling to fronds, while its curved tail arches overhead, ending in a stout, needle-like sting reservoir. Fine hairs along its limbs detect the faintest vibrations, and its multifaceted eyes catch glints of movement even in deep shadow.

Behaviour

The Greensting Scorpion is a solitary hunter, emerging at twilight to patrol its micro-territory beneath fallen logs and dense undergrowth. It moves with deliberate stealth, pausing frequently to scent the air with its antennae. When prey—a small insect, froglet, or unwary rodent—strays too close, it lashes out with startling speed, pinning its victim with pincers before delivering a precise, venomous jab that immobilizes within seconds. Afterwards, it retreats beneath shelter to feed at its leisure.

Habitat

Favoring cool, humid woodlands, this scorpion nests in the damp humus beneath old-growth trees, in crevices of decomposing logs, or within the mossy bases of ferns. It needs constant moisture to keep its exoskeleton supple, and so avoids open, sun-baked clearings. In wetter climates, it can also be found amid rocky streamsides and shaded ravines, wherever detritus accumulates into soft burrowing ground.

Modus Operandi

  1. Lurk & Sense: Hides under debris, using sensitive hairs and antennae to register ground tremors and chemical cues.
  2. Flash Strike: When prey is detected, leaps forward less than a body-length away, securing it with powerful pincers.
  3. Venom Injection: Delivers a single, expertly aimed sting that quickly subdues and saps strength.
  4. Concealed Feast: Hauls its victim to a sheltered spot, secreting digestive enzymes through its pincers to liquefy tissues before consumption.

Motivation

Driven by the twin imperatives of survival and reproduction, the Greensting Scorpion’s venomous arsenal and stealthy tactics ensure it secures food in a competitive forest floor ecosystem. Its cryptic coloring and patient hunting style minimize energy expenditure, while its potent sting protects it from larger predators. Every aspect of its form and behavior—from sensitized legs to venom delivery—exists to dominate the shadowy litter layer it calls home.

  • Greensting Scorpion 5e
  • Greensting Scorpion Pathfinder

Greensting Scorpion

Tiny Beast (vermin), Unaligned

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 9 (3d4 + 3)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
2 (−4)16 (+3)12 (+1)1 (−5)12 (+1)2 (−4)

Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +3
Skills Stealth +7, Perception +3
Damage Immunities poison; Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 10 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Traits

  • Vermin Resilience. The scorpion has advantage on saving throws against spells and effects that would impose the poisoned condition (other than its own poison).
  • Nimble Climber. The scorpion can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
  • Keen Smell. The scorpion has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Actions

  • Pincer. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
  • Poison Sting. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 (1d4 − 1) piercing damage plus the target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be Sickened (disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks) for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Reactions

  • Venomous Reflex. When a creature within 5 feet hits the scorpion with a melee attack, the scorpion can immediately make one Poison Sting attack against that creature.

Tactics

  • Ambush Predator. The scorpion uses its Stealth +7 to hide in underbrush or on tree bark, waiting for creatures to pass before striking with Poison Sting.
  • Hit-and-Run. After poisoning a foe, it retreats up surfaces or into crevices using Nimble Climber to avoid retaliation.
  • Familiar Bond. When serving as a familiar, it grants its master a +4 bonus to initiative, reflecting its swift reflexes.
By Shantanu Kuveskar - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38768394, Scorpion, Greensting
By Shantanu Kuveskar – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38768394

Though its pincers seem too small to harm anything larger than an insect, this scorpion’s stinger still appears dangerous.

Deadly greensting scorpions normally live in forests, though they can survive nearly anywhere.

Greensting Scorpion CR 1/4

XP 100
N Tiny vermin
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +4

DEFENSE

AC 18, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +3 natural, +2 size)
hp 4 (1d8)
Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +0
Immune mind-affecting effects

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee sting +5 (1d2–4 plus poison)
Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks poison

STATISTICS

Str 3, Dex 16, Con 10, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 2
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 7 (19 vs. trip)
Feats Weapon FinesseB
Skills Climb +7, Perception +4, Stealth +15; Racial Modifiers +4 Climb, +4 Perception, +4 Stealth

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Familiar

A greensting scorpion familiar grants a +4 bonus on Initiative checks so long as the familiar is within 1 mile of the spellcaster. A greensting scorpion familiar loses the mindless trait and has an Intelligence score appropriate for its master’s level.

Poison (Ex)

Sting—injury; save Fort DC 10; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect sickened for 1 round; cure 1 save. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment warm or temperate forests
Organization solitary, pair, or colony (3–6)
Treasure none

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 4 © 2013, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors: Dennis Baker, Jesse Benner, Savannah Broadway, Ross Byers, Adam Daigle, Tim Hitchcock, Tracy Hurley, James Jacobs, Matt James, Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Tom Phillips, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K Reynolds, F. Wesley Schneider, Tork Shaw, and Russ Taylor.

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