GDW's House Rules

Them!

The result of atomic testing in the New Mexico desert in the 1940s, Them! are basically huge ants.  They first appeared in the early 1950s and were thought to be finally eradicated shortly after their discovery.

The most commonly encountered Them! will be the worker.  These are 2.5 to 3 meters long and mass about 400 kg.  Because of their size they move fairly slowly -- about the speed of a walking man.  In the open they will be encountered singly or in small groups (1-6 workers).  They are completely mindless and will not coordinate attacks (nor may they attack at all -- roll the attack/flee numbers to determine their reaction), though they do communicate with one-another after a fashion with a high pitched wail/chirping sound.  It is this noise that will tip adventurers off to the presence of Them!  Basically, this means alert adventurers will not be surprised by these critters.

Them! attack using their mandibles.  Once the prey is firmly grasped, it is stung to death by the formic-acid stinger on the ant's abdomen.  The stinger itself causes 3D damage, and the formic acid causes 3D damage per round until the victim dies.

If encountered in their nest there will be 6-36 workers present, as well as 1-6 juvenile queens and drones.  Deep within the lair will be the queen.  No one has ever actually seen a queen, but she must truly be huge, weighing in at more than a tonne.

Them! are omnivores and will eat just about anything, though they have a penchant for sweet things such as syrup and sugar.

Category:  Omnivore
Type:  Eater
Name:  Them!
Quantity:  1-6 (6-36)
Special Attributes:  None
Weight:  400kg (9)
Size:  1×2 (2-meter grid squares)
Hits:  42/84
Weapons:  Teeth (mandibles); Poison Stinger
To Hit:  8/9 (mandibles/stinger)
Damage:  6D/3Dp3D (mandibles/stinger)
Penetration:  Nil
Range:  Short
Type of Melee Attack:  Armed Melee Attack
Initiative:  4
Armor:  1/2
Behavior:  A:7 F: 4
Speed:  10/20/30
Meat:  130 kg (yuck!)