Space Worrt

A Star Wars Creature Feature

By Jeff Quick

How worrts, the infamously stupid predators from Tatooine, got into space is a mystery. Xenozoologists believe their introduction to asteroid belts near Antar and New Plympto must have been quite recent, but further details remain elusive. However, the galaxy is filled with biological oddities. As strange as this new breed of worrt seems, scientists are perfectly ready to add it to the list of unlikely-but-true creatures that litter the known worlds.

No one ever would have cared about or even noticed the beasts if mynock populations hadn't started suddenly dropping in the regions around these worlds. Frankly, no one cares if the galaxy turns up a few thousand mynocks shy, but it makes people curious.

The first known curious folks were a pair of Rodian transport pilots of no repute named Toorpa and Weesh. Thinking that some outlaw gang might be in hiding near Antar in the asteroid belt living off the mynocks (possibly training them for sale to the Trandoshan pirate Chorssk), Toorpa and Weesh ventured onto an asteroid large enough to land a ship and contain a base. Exploring on foot, they planned to methodically cover the entire surface of the asteroid for signs of habitation.

Weesh never returned, but Toorpa survived to tell the story of extreme habitation -- a worrt larger and tougher than a Wookiee.

A mass case of spaceborne rubbernecking followed as dozens of ships swooped through the belt trying to get a glimpse of the enormous worrt that ate a Rodian. Space worrts follow the camouflaged tactics of their desert cousins and were difficult to spot at first (Weesh's last mistake). Once people knew what to look for, however, they discovered dozens of them throughout the asteroid belt.

Approach with Caution

Since their discovery, many spacers have taken to thinking of space worrts as regional mascots. When transports arrive, hotshot pilots veer close to larger asteroids in an attempt to shake off any spare mynocks and feed the local space worrts. A ship bearing acid burns from a space worrt's mouth is testament to insane (but legendary) flying skill.

Walking on asteroids is not recommended behavior in the best of circumstances, but since the space worrts have become a minor local phenomenon, a few daredevil tourist-types have wanted to see them up close.

A worrt on Tatooine

To provide some measure of safety, Antar officials have tagged most known space worrts with fluorescent dye. The worrts don't appear to notice or care. New Plympto officials set up lighted markers to warn "pedestrians" away from space worrt range. This is a less effective solution, since the worrts occasionally change location or eat markers that flicker or fall over. Despite the danger, a trickle of thrill-seekers try to get close enough to have their pictures taken with a space worrt in the background. So far, only two reported casualties have resulted.

Anatomy

A space worrt has no discernable anatomical difference between its maw and its stomach. Anything that falls into its mouth triggers its digestive reflex almost immediately. Its teeth are made of an incredibly dense calcified substance, with strong silicon concentrations.

A worrt's eyes appear to be acutely adjusted for seeing in the darkness of space, but the creatures don't seem to be disturbed by light.

The worrt has all the hair-trigger tendencies of a regular worrt, as well as the same culinary predilections. Further, space worrts have taken the term "omnivorous" to new levels, apparently living off the silicon matter of mynocks. These worrts can also chew through plastics and metals of body armor or even starships, given time. They have even been observed to eat asteroid rock, though it seems unlikely that they gain any sustenance from such meals. Most likely, it's just the normally stupid behavior of worrts that lash out with their tongues at anything that moves (and some things that don't).

Space Worrt: Vacuum predator 5; Init +5 (+1 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); Defense 19 (+9 natural, +1 Dex, -1 size); Spd 3 m; VP/WP 47/21; Atk +9 melee (2d6+7, bite) or +6 ranged (tongue); SQ Darkvision, tongue attack, swallow whole; SV Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +2; SZ L; Face/Reach 4 m by 2 m/4 m; Str 20, Dex 12, Con 21, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 6. Challenge Code C.

Skills: Hide +8, Spot +7, Survival +5.

Feats: Improved Initiative, Point Blank Shot.

Special Qualities: Tongue Attack -- To use this ability, a space worrt must make a ranged touch attack with its tongue at a maximum range of 10 meters. If the attack is successful, the space worrt automatically deals bite damage and can start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it gets a hold, it may also attempt to swallow its target. Targets of Large size or larger cannot be swallowed, but the space worrt still tries. If an opponent is too large to swallow, the space worrt continues to attempt to grapple and automatically deals bite damage every round.

Special Qualities: Swallow Whole -- A space worrt can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of Medium size or smaller by making a successful grapple check. Once inside the space worrt's maw, the opponent takes 3d6 points of damage per round from the creature's highly caustic digestive acid. A swallowed opponent can climb back out of the worrt's maw with a successful grapple check. A swallowed opponent can also attempt to cut or blast his or her way out of the maw with a small or tiny slashing or energy weapon. The opponent must deal 20 points of damage to the space worrt's interior (Defense 15) to create an opening large enough to escape. Once the victim exits, muscular action closes the hole. Another swallowed creature must cut his or her own way out. A space worrt's maw can hold one Medium-size, two Small, four Tiny, eight Diminutive, or sixteen Fine creatures.

If space worrts aren't enough for you, try bringing fallen Jedi Komari Vosa into your Star Wars campaign, and see how long it takes your heroes to come under her dark control . . .