[Mutant Future] Savage Menagerie: Mechanobane

No. Enc.: 2d4 (1d8)

Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90' (30')
Armor Class: 7
Hit Dice: 3
Attacks: 3 (2 talons, bite)
Damage: 1d6/1d6/3d6
Save: L2
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: None

The Mechanobane is a long (8 ft. long) centipede-like creature that is incredibly destructive to any powered machinery it encounters, making it the scourge of robots, androids, and other artificial lifeforms. It is thought that the Mechanobane is incredibly sensitive to the vibrations and energy signals/patterns emitted by any kind of powered machinery. When it senses these patterns, it flies into a berserk rage, ripping and shredding into the offending device until it is no longer functioning.

The Mechanobane is a long segmented insectoid creature that scuttles about on multiple legs on its underside. It can sense any power signature (electrical, nuclear, etc.) emitted from any mechanical device in a 200 foot radius. Vehicles, weapons, computers, any device that uses a form of stored power to work can be sensed by the Mechanobane. Even something as simple as a 9-volt battery will be sensed, but the larger the signal, the more likely the Mechanobane will scuttle in to investigate. It's assumed that these energy patterns are somehow painful for the creature, prompting them to attack. Once enraged, the Mechanobane will not stop until it is dead or all offending signal-producing devices it senses are destroyed.

Toward the front of the Mechanobane's torso are two specialized "legs" that are much longer and sharper than the others. The Mechanobane can use these as talon-tipped "arms" to rip and tear into the offending machinery. Its multiple mandibled mouth can snap and bite as well, rending anything it comes into contact with. The creature's talons and teeth have evolved to be incredibly hard and sharp, able to tear and bite through metal with ease. The creature gets a +2 to hit bonus due to its natural weaponry in this regard.

Oddly enough, if the PCs power everything down, the Mechanobane will break off its attack. When crossing through a known Mechanobane region, it's advisable to "go primitive" as the creatures will ignore you if they don't detect any power-source signatures. Some anti-technology communities will keep nests of Mechanobanes nearby both to keep their citizens primitive and under control, as well as to keep technologically advanced visitors at bay.

Mutations: power signature detection, natural weapon