A-to-Z Challenge, E: Emerald Stinkbug (New Oe/BX/1E Monster)

Some of you may recognize today's illustration as one of my earliest illustration of the week posts, specifically from December 6 of last year. Though I originally intended it for use in Starmasters, it really seemed a natural for a D&D monster. This one feels particularly Moldvay Red to me. Maybe it's because it's a giant insect, or just kind of a simple idea, or (most likely) it's because it's rather benign as monsters go (which is par for Moldvay's course, especially compared to some of the nastiness in Gygax's Monster Manual.)

Emerald Stinkbug

DESCRIPTION Emerald stinkbugs are giant insects with a snout-like nose and an iridescent green armored exoskeleton. They are omnivorous in that they eat smaller bugs as well as fruits and flowers. When eating bugs (ants and the like,) they suck them up through their snout, much as an anteater does. They similarly use their snout like a straw when eating fruits and flowers, the remains of which not only become quickly rotted, but poisonous as well, causing anyone who eats them severe nausea and cramping for approximately 24 hours. They tend to make their lairs in burrows under small hills near areas with rich wild vegetation. While their natural green coloration provides them some visual camouflage (all “to hit” rolls against at -3 while “hiding” in brush), their natural pungent natural odor (a mix of burning rubber and rotten cheese) eliminates any ability to surprise. The main offense and defense of an emerald stinkbug is the ability to emit a cloud of corrosive breath that is 10’ wide, 20’ long and 10’ tall. Any creature caught inside the cloud must save vs. breath weapon, which only reduces damage to half of normal. Additionally, emerald stinkbugs are immune to the effects of poison and acid (breath) attacks of all forms.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Rare NO. APPEARING: 5-50 ARMOR CLASS: 2 MOVE: 15” HIT DICE: 2 % IN LAIR: 25% TREASURE TYPE: R NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath weapon SPECIAL DEFENSES: Poison and acid immune MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Non- ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: S (3’ long) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 2 HIT DICE: 2** MOVE: 150’ ATTACKS: 1 breath DAMAGE: 2-12 NO. APPEARING: 5-50 SAVE AS: Fighter: 1 MORALE: 8 TREASURE TYPE: M ALIGNMENT: Neutral