I have already made a Dhampir Barbarian based on some of the ideas listed in the Dhampir Origin Table in 5e making it seem really fitting for a Shadowrun-style Insect Shaman infecting people as being responsible. Assassin Bugs make it even easier to adapt, possibly even to the scale of Bug City, the natural understanding of Druidic even supplies the caster to put in charge.
My head canon for Assassin bugs. Troll shamans used to keep them in their flesh as part of some right or ritual. Given time. The bug that was to be the assassin bug change to be what it is now. This would cover all the bases to why they are every where and their growth speed. Shamans being shamans. They pray to every thing and take spirit walks. So they get around a lot to the shock of bards .
I once played in an extremely fun/spooky Call of Cthulhu campaign with a creature that was similar, though a bit more graphic and more closely resembled a chimpanzee without eyes and some fairly explicit other things I can't mention in a youtube comment. The only thing that prevented it's spread across the entire state was the infected hosts wouldn't incubate in the cold, and the original specimen escaped due to a blizzard that knocked out power across half the town. This could be easily used for a more fantasy bend to that short campaign.
These things remind of me that movie Mimic. Those Judas bug devours their prey and evolve to look more like them. Even going as far to mimic their behaviors.
For some reason this reminds me of the xill, 4 armed humanoid monsters that live in the deep ethereal. They have to infect a sentient being with their eggs in order to reproduce, with the thing eventually killing its host and eating its way out. Xill go out, kidnap people, and drag them back to their cities where they are kept in gruesome hatcheries until they die. I could see assassin bugs originating on some demi-plane that was also the original home of the xill. The place could have an ecosystem with lots of creatures reliant on parasitic reproduction strategies.
0:45, the Fiend Folio was published by TSR Hobbies Inc in the US and TSR Hobbies UK Ltd in Europe, not by a third party. The content may have been generated by fans, but it was officially published by the copyright holders. Also Games Workshop was founded in 1975 and TSR Hobbies UK Ltd was only opened in 1980. Games Workshop was not ever part of TSR. They were licensed to produce and distribute D&D content, but were not officially part of TSR. All that said, Don Turnbull was editor of the Fiend Factory article series in White Dwarf, and was the editor for the Fiend Folio while it was being developed by Games Workshop, but was hired by Gary Gygax to be the Managing Director for TSR Hobbies UK Ltd. So there was talent poaching involved, but they were never the same company and one didn't fold into the other in the early days.
Another awesome and terrifying drawing to add to your collection. I always really enjoy watching these videos it feels satisfying seeing the the monster come to life as you talk about it. Great job dude!
I love this video!! The assassin bug are great in the sense that they are terrifying without being horrendously OP, so you can expose relatively low-level characters to them and they will still produce involuntary itching among the players.
@ Jhaamdath is the city name or the name of the federation of cites. Only just downloaded “Lost Empires of Faerun & Races Faerun” where I think they appear or at least the wiki says so
Awesome video as always! I really enjoyed the ecological breakdown of the monster as it's something i like to put a particular focus on when I'm Dming. Really helps to bring these crazy creatures to life at the table.
I'm imagining a swamp with giant trees that roots grow over the surface, bridge like. Trolls live underneath, all over the place🧌 and assasin bugs. The trees are too wet to burn. Other insects like giant wasps (mounted by small humanoids) and giant spiders...
I'm immediately reminded of the background lore for the rings of regeneration, when you mention how there's an entire ecosystem of creatures, perhaps improved rings of regeneration could be made that incorporates intellect devourer brain matter alongside the troll brain matter? Or some compound from assassin bug maggots that incite the trolls regenerative power to make the ring heal you faster?
6:00 I think I prefer them being made through magic instead of being extra planar. Feels too much like the xill at that point but I do like them getting at least visual features based on their host. I can imagine these guys are a terror to goblinoids and orcs since there'd be no reason for these guys not to target monstrous humanoids if they're physically a viable host. Though simple townsfolk would still be seen as easy prey of course. Still I can imagine a swarm living in a dungeon clashing with the local monstrous humanoids when adventurers aren't stumbling along
This gives me an idea for a simple illusion spell, probably invented by a species like the Lupin. A Simple variant of "Create Illusion" that addresses Sound & Smell rather than prioritizing vision, created by a Race/Species that is more dependent on THOSE senses than vision.
Thanks AJ, really appreciate, love the updated story to go with the Assassin Bug. Read some of the comments, this is the nightmare fuel I anticipated it would be, lol. Thanks again AJ, you have a wonderful day!
Okay, so working back from the end goal of their complete extermination: maybe there are aasimon (who are barely legally distinct from Space Marines) with power armor and weapons fueled by divine magic. From what Power? "He Who Was" seems to imply that said power is no longer, but maybe the complete term was simply "he who was forgotten". Obviously such planar servants would want to exterminate these creatures to ensure the safety of humanity. Just spit balling here. 🤷
Over the years, started as a teenage running games. The players spent investment time in creating their PC, quick TPK. Dealing with angry teenagers. So I let the players run the monsters as their new PC to carry on the adventure into new paths. Well, you are here to game so lets game. Mind you this was back in early AD&D and " Satanic Panic " and role-playing monsters or evil beings was highly discouraged. Now other gaming systems and gate keeping, but I ran games with mix systems and where the DM pulls players off to the side in coaching role playing acting for the rest of the table. Along with everyone pulling cards, you know this is Clue a murder in the group but not who. Classic of who in the party was Charm by the vampire. PC is infected with a growing parasite have them dream of being in a warm bath. You can roll random dice charts for effect and just move forward with the number cruncher war gamer. Or player acts out have body aches and make short sentences like a small child does. Share conciseness with the alien being before death. I/we as DM offer tactics to Player PC but they control the monster attacking the rest of the team members. Player, " I am an insect now ? Oh I will crawl around on the ceiling and attack front the upper corners. If the other PC jump to swing and put themselves off balance, do I get a +2 to hit charge attack with extra damage ?" .. then the player came up with having glue saliva for nest making and glue his fellow former team members/ prey to the ceiling.
@zacharyweaver276 oh I was referring the the ones the look like the African assassin bug? You know that one that kills people? I know what this video is, but by God's have we updated what dnd monsters have been in a while? If you've watched made in abyss you know I want that kind of crazy shit in my games. I don't want "spooky man-bug" I want a creature whose been specialized for you to not even think about its presents because IT IS just another bug! But environmental awareness is a major factor of being in an environment
Oh I didn't even know the real bugs were referred in this video 😂 I just clicked real quick on the notification because I've been really getting into bug collecting. For reference the ones I'm asking about look like Number 1 row 1 Number 3 row 1 Number 3 row 2
I have already made a Dhampir Barbarian based on some of the ideas listed in the Dhampir Origin Table in 5e making it seem really fitting for a Shadowrun-style Insect Shaman infecting people as being responsible.
Assassin Bugs make it even easier to adapt, possibly even to the scale of Bug City, the natural understanding of Druidic even supplies the caster to put in charge.
My head canon for Assassin bugs. Troll shamans used to keep them in their flesh as part of some right or ritual. Given time. The bug that was to be the assassin bug change to be what it is now. This would cover all the bases to why they are every where and their growth speed. Shamans being shamans. They pray to every thing and take spirit walks. So they get around a lot to the shock of bards .
I am lovin these video segments featuring your artwork, AJ!
The perfect video to listen to before work. Wish I got here sooner.
Oh hey, AJ draws bug eyes like I draw chainmail.
I once played in an extremely fun/spooky Call of Cthulhu campaign with a creature that was similar, though a bit more graphic and more closely resembled a chimpanzee without eyes and some fairly explicit other things I can't mention in a youtube comment. The only thing that prevented it's spread across the entire state was the infected hosts wouldn't incubate in the cold, and the original specimen escaped due to a blizzard that knocked out power across half the town. This could be easily used for a more fantasy bend to that short campaign.
I really enjoyed watching you drawing the bugs morphology! It really added to the life cycle commentary. I, for one, would love to see more of it.
Just like in my North American field guide!
Getting to watch you draw while listening was a wonderful touch AJ.
Agreed. It's great to see the creation of art while listening.
These things remind of me that movie Mimic. Those Judas bug devours their prey and evolve to look more like them. Even going as far to mimic their behaviors.
This one is pretty cool. I like how customizable this concept is. I'm really glad AJ is doing these videos
Glad you like them!
Assassin bug irl:
Carnivorous bug closely related to the stink bug.
Assassin bug in DnD:
This thing.
I find these guys in my house all the time, just got to gently pick them up and put them back outside lol
What are you a cloud giant?
For some reason this reminds me of the xill, 4 armed humanoid monsters that live in the deep ethereal. They have to infect a sentient being with their eggs in order to reproduce, with the thing eventually killing its host and eating its way out. Xill go out, kidnap people, and drag them back to their cities where they are kept in gruesome hatcheries until they die. I could see assassin bugs originating on some demi-plane that was also the original home of the xill. The place could have an ecosystem with lots of creatures reliant on parasitic reproduction strategies.
Indeed! In fact the Xill is present in both the Fiend Folio and Mordenkainen's Fiendish Folio vol.1
0:45, the Fiend Folio was published by TSR Hobbies Inc in the US and TSR Hobbies UK Ltd in Europe, not by a third party. The content may have been generated by fans, but it was officially published by the copyright holders.
Also Games Workshop was founded in 1975 and TSR Hobbies UK Ltd was only opened in 1980. Games Workshop was not ever part of TSR. They were licensed to produce and distribute D&D content, but were not officially part of TSR. All that said, Don Turnbull was editor of the Fiend Factory article series in White Dwarf, and was the editor for the Fiend Folio while it was being developed by Games Workshop, but was hired by Gary Gygax to be the Managing Director for TSR Hobbies UK Ltd. So there was talent poaching involved, but they were never the same company and one didn't fold into the other in the early days.
Ah, thanks for the clarification!
I think it should be able to cast vicious mockery at will because it's a-sassin' bug!
Another awesome and terrifying drawing to add to your collection. I always really enjoy watching these videos it feels satisfying seeing the the monster come to life as you talk about it. Great job dude!
Glad you enjoy it!
I've heard of this monster from the FR wiki but it had little detail on the page or I've forgotten it. This is gonna be a fun video
These videos where your sketching while narrating are pretty cool. Adds a Bob Ross vibe.
I love this video!! The assassin bug are great in the sense that they are terrifying without being horrendously OP, so you can expose relatively low-level characters to them and they will still produce involuntary itching among the players.
Gromflomites for 5e
Get your Szechuan sauce packets!!
Pisonic cities of the sword ? What ! Shall be looking up after the video
Need this
@ Jhaamdath is the city name or the name of the federation of cites. Only just downloaded “Lost Empires of Faerun & Races Faerun” where I think they appear or at least the wiki says so
PANR has tuned in.
I love that this is the imagined being anytime someone reads about the actual assassin bug for the first time.
Adding that to the "kill with fire" list.
Awesome video AJ caught it before I got on my flight glad you mentioned the real ones
3.5e had the Assassin beetle, wich really didn't live up to its name. Kinda wish it had this instead.
Awesome video as always! I really enjoyed the ecological breakdown of the monster as it's something i like to put a particular focus on when I'm Dming. Really helps to bring these crazy creatures to life at the table.
I like the idea of druids looking at other people controlling giant insects and calling them a mad warlock.
I'm imagining a swamp with giant trees that roots grow over the surface, bridge like. Trolls live underneath, all over the place🧌 and assasin bugs. The trees are too wet to burn.
Other insects like giant wasps (mounted by small humanoids) and giant spiders...
I'm immediately reminded of the background lore for the rings of regeneration, when you mention how there's an entire ecosystem of creatures, perhaps improved rings of regeneration could be made that incorporates intellect devourer brain matter alongside the troll brain matter? Or some compound from assassin bug maggots that incite the trolls regenerative power to make the ring heal you faster?
6:00 I think I prefer them being made through magic instead of being extra planar. Feels too much like the xill at that point but I do like them getting at least visual features based on their host. I can imagine these guys are a terror to goblinoids and orcs since there'd be no reason for these guys not to target monstrous humanoids if they're physically a viable host. Though simple townsfolk would still be seen as easy prey of course. Still I can imagine a swarm living in a dungeon clashing with the local monstrous humanoids when adventurers aren't stumbling along
Man i friggin hate assassin bugs irl. In Florida we have kissing bugs and they suck really bad.
I used some giant horsehair worms in my last campaign. Never got to bust out the brain ticks sadly.
This makes me question how threatening an entomancer lich would really be.
yeeeaaaa booooiiiiyy
-flava flav
This gives me an idea for a simple illusion spell, probably invented by a species like the Lupin. A Simple variant of "Create Illusion" that addresses Sound & Smell rather than prioritizing vision, created by a Race/Species that is more dependent on THOSE senses than vision.
Idea a cult kidnapped the general of the largest kingdom and infected his body with the larva now the cult had a assassin bug general
Bless the Mighty GlueStick
Its Baxter Stockman here to kick some shell.
Thanks AJ, really appreciate, love the updated story to go with the Assassin Bug. Read some of the comments, this is the nightmare fuel I anticipated it would be, lol.
Thanks again AJ, you have a wonderful day!
Kinda reminds me of the movie Mimic.
That would be interesting, Scenario.
Amazing as always, AJ.
So the assassin bugs glean traits from their hosts like xenomorphs?! Fuckin awesome!!!
"Game over, man! Game over!" - PFC Hudson, William L.
Thanks AJ.
Troll + Rot Grubs or Assasin Bugs Grubs = something equivalent to a 40k Ambull
Xenomophs meets bug; cool.
I'm going to be checking the closet and looking under the bed before I go to sleep for the next few days now 🙂.
Wait a minute! These aren't the assassin bugs I know!
Can't wait to unleash these on my players...
Okay, so working back from the end goal of their complete extermination: maybe there are aasimon (who are barely legally distinct from Space Marines) with power armor and weapons fueled by divine magic. From what Power? "He Who Was" seems to imply that said power is no longer, but maybe the complete term was simply "he who was forgotten". Obviously such planar servants would want to exterminate these creatures to ensure the safety of humanity.
Just spit balling here. 🤷
It does sound like Trolls and Assassin bugs evolved from the same place.
Great video
Would you care for a berry? I do not believe it will kill you. Have a berry.
0:55 anyone else intrigued by the iron pig?
Great for deep dark wet forest adventures.
Great video! One question. Do you plan on doing another live stream in the next week or two? They make for great listening!
That's the plan!
good video AJ
Thanks Chris
Oooh baby yas
Over the years, started as a teenage running games.
The players spent investment time in creating their PC, quick TPK.
Dealing with angry teenagers.
So I let the players run the monsters as their new PC to carry on the adventure into new paths.
Well, you are here to game so lets game.
Mind you this was back in early AD&D and " Satanic Panic " and role-playing monsters or evil beings was highly discouraged.
Now other gaming systems and gate keeping, but I ran games with mix systems and where the DM pulls players off to the side in coaching role playing acting for the rest of the table. Along with everyone pulling cards, you know this is Clue a murder in the group but not who. Classic of who in the party was Charm by the vampire.
PC is infected with a growing parasite have them dream of being in a warm bath. You can roll random dice charts for effect and just move forward with the number cruncher war gamer. Or player acts out have body aches and make short sentences like a small child does. Share conciseness with the alien being before death. I/we as DM offer tactics to Player PC but they control the monster attacking the rest of the team members.
Player, " I am an insect now ? Oh I will crawl around on the ceiling and attack front the upper corners. If the other PC jump to swing and put themselves off balance, do I get a +2 to hit charge attack with extra damage ?" .. then the player came up with having glue saliva for nest making and glue his fellow former team members/ prey to the ceiling.
Is the Assassin Bug,
therefore, not a bug?
They're the xenomorphs of DnD :/
What are they paid in?
paid?
@@AJPickett cause they're assassins
@@trajanfidelis Babies.
They get paid in babies.
Aw i wanted this to be about the real ones >.< are they native to oregon?
Fantasy Oregon maybe
@zacharyweaver276 oh I was referring the the ones the look like the African assassin bug? You know that one that kills people?
I know what this video is, but by God's have we updated what dnd monsters have been in a while? If you've watched made in abyss you know I want that kind of crazy shit in my games. I don't want "spooky man-bug" I want a creature whose been specialized for you to not even think about its presents because IT IS just another bug! But environmental awareness is a major factor of being in an environment
Oh I didn't even know the real bugs were referred in this video 😂 I just clicked real quick on the notification because I've been really getting into bug collecting.
For reference the ones I'm asking about look like
Number 1 row 1
Number 3 row 1
Number 3 row 2
@@HeavenLeahSky well now I imagine there being different species that prey on different humanoids and a giant who collects them
@@zacharyweaver276 omg amazing
Now i can attack my party with xenomorphic monsters! 🪲
Yes!
Dang it! I didn't win the lottery.
Back to work I go 🫤