Giant Cicada

Trim wings fold along the back of this oblong, iridescent insect.

Giant Cicada CR 1

XP 400
N Small vermin
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0

DEFENSE

AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex, +3 natural, +1 size)
hp 15 (2d8+6)
Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +0
Immune mind-affecting effects

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 50 ft. (average)
Melee bite +2 (1d4)
Special Attacks song (DC 14)

STATISTICS

Str 11, Dex 13, Con 16, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 2
Base Atk +1; CMB +0; CMD 11 (19 vs. trip)
Skills Acrobatics +0 (+8 when jumping), Climb +8, Fly +3; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics when jumping

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Song (Ex)

As a move action, a giant cicada can flex membranes in its abdomen to produce a loud and distracting sound. After starting its song, a giant cicada can maintain its song in subsequent rounds as a free action.

Any creatures within 30 feet of the giant cicada must succeed at a DC 14 Fortitude saving throw or be deafened for the duration of the cicada’s song. Being deafened in this way doesn’t make a creature immune to this effect, but creatures that were naturally or magically deafened prior to encountering this effect are unaffected. This is a sonic effect and the save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment any temperate or tropical land
Organization solitary, pair, or brood (3–12)
Treasure none

These arboreal insects are best known for leaving behind nearly perfect exoskeletons when they molt. Giant cicadas have a signature song that can be heard reverberating through forests in the evening hours. This song can be heard for miles and can be overwhelming up close.

Giant cicadas live most of their life in nymph form underground, emerging as adults only after around 13 years. Sometimes an enormous brood of these creatures emerges at once, causing trouble for humanoids living in those areas. Some creatures that share territory with giant cicadas collect their molted exoskeletons and make armor and other items from the material.

Giant cicadas are nearly 3 feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder Adventure Path #116: Fangs of War © 2017, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Ron Lundeen, with John Compton, Adam Daigle, Crystal Frasier, Michelle Jones, and Mark Moreland.

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