Monster: The Microzons

Microzons

Microzon

Frequency	Uncommon
No. Appearing	20-200
Armour Class	7 (8+1)
Move	6"
Hit Dice	1d4
% in lair	50%
Treasure type	Indiv K; P, Qx5, I (magic only) in lair
No. of attacks	1
Damage/attack	1-4 or by weapon
Special Attacks	Missile fire
Special Defenses	nil
Magic Resistance	Standard
Intelligence	Low
Alignment	CE
Size	S (3'-4' tall)
Psionic Ability	Nil
Psionic Attack/defense modes	Nil
Level	I
XP	7+1/hp

Microzons are a diminutive race of women who dwell in caves, deep jungle and ancient forests, or in the underworld. They are chaotic, treacherous, and argumentative with each tribe lead by a matriarch who's rule extends as far as her (screechingly high-pitched) voice can carry.

They hate humans, or indeed anything bigger than themselves, dress for combat in untanned leathers which quickly become tatty and as dirty as their owners. In lair, they will have some (not very diligent) guards but most of the tribe will be wearing loin-cloths and able to move at 9".

The microzons as a race respect only mothers and if any manage to become pregnant she will immediately leave the existing tribe, along with her allies, to form a new one. If there is nowhere to go to, the result will be civil war until only one mother is left.

For every 12 microzons rolled in an encounter there will be a (raiding) party-leader and her two guards, both with 4 hit points. For every 25 there will be one heroine of 5-7hp and fighting as 1-1HD (CL 1).

All microzons are adept with short recurved bows and attack at +2 with them, doing 1-5 damage (d6, treat 6 as 5). Heroines will have +1 reaction/attacking bonus (thus attacking at CL 4 with the bow).

Other equipment will include a shield which is hitched over the back while using the bow, short spears (5', wsf 6), and a dagger, which they can throw in extremis.

In lair, most will have access to footwoman's picks, as they greatly prize silver and gems which they will sometimes trade with or for. They are poor workers however, due to their dislike of orders, and mine only half as quickly as goblins while having the same discipline issues (see DMG pp105-106).

The chieftain will be a full 1HD leader with 1-3 levels of clerical ability (sans HD). If you want to stat-up leaders, use average dice as per normal NPCs and give +1 STR, +2 WIS, and +3 CHA. If you're using psionics, then leaders may be so capable.

The instinctive reverence for motherhood means that there is a vestigial higher-order structure to the microzon's society and leaders of tribes will consult with leaders of other tribes who are older and, most importantly, have more children. If a tribal leader speaks of a "Queen" they will have one such mother-figure in mind, but which specific elder is meant will vary from chieftain to chieftain depending mostly on locale.

The highest honour and the title of "Grandmother" will be given to the oldest few and there are usually only one or two such within a hundred mile radius of any given point, at most.

As with many chaotics, a common enemy can bring more than one tribe together into a squabbling, short-lived force to be reckoned with.

They worship a range of goddesses, chiefly Artemis, Hecate, and Eris.

The are a long-lived race, with Grandmothers sometimes reaching 1000+ years.

Anyone that can find a suitable image for this that isn't basically porn is welcome to let me know.