Formian Workers
Pathfinder 1e conversion of formians as a playable race.
Formians are a race of humanoid-insects native to Arcadia. Also called ‘centaur ants’, formians look like upright-walking insects about 5 feet tall. They have six limbs, two of which are used as arms and can manipulate tools or weapons. Formians have a highly structured hierarchy within their society.
The workers, the most common formian are the size of a large dog, and are usually assigned the most menial labour, although their skills are highly versatile. The warriors, the next highest in station, are the size of ponies and serve mainly in defence of the hive. Myrmarchs are the size of horses, and rank above the warriors. The largest formians, the queens are the undisputed leaders of formian society.
While very lawful, formians do not truly have a hive mentality. Formians of all castes have their own names, personalities and agendas. Having said that, they are typically very loyal to the commands of their superiors, but able to act independently of the queen. Queens have been known to give formian workers a great amount of freedom during times of peace — at least enough to join an adventuring party.
Formian worker PCs are considered to be very young, and hence still developing in power. All formians are born into their station, and their station never changes. No formian seems to mind this rigid caste system, and are content to benefit their community in any way they can. It is interesting to note that all formian workers are technically female, but are incapable of reproducing — which is the sacred duty of the queen alone.
“It’s just a big bug. How tough can it be?”
– Clueless sod, when seeing a formian for the first time.
“Help…” *gasp* “…cleric…”
– The same sod, two minutes later.
Type: Monstrous humanoid [3RP]
Size: Small: As small creatures, formian workers gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty on combat maneuver checks and to their CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks. Small races have a space of 5 feet by 5 feet and a reach of 5 feet. [0RP]
Base Speed: 40ft, burrow 20ft [3RP]
Ability Score Modifiers: +2 Str, +2 Wis, -4 Cha [-1RP]
Automatic Languages: Common. Worker adventurers are severed from the hive mind and have lost their telepathy ability. [0RP]
Bonus Languages: Aklo, Goblin, Gnomish, Terran, Undercommon [0RP]
Racial Traits:
Offensive Racial Traits:
Bite: Formian workers have a bite attack, dealing 1d3 points of damage. [2RP]
Senses Racial Traits:
Blindsense (30ft): Using nonvisual senses such as acute smell or hearing, members of this race notice things they cannot see. Members of this race usually do not need to make Perception checks to pinpoint the location of a creature within 30 feet, provided they have line of effect to that creature. A creature that members of this race cannot see still has total concealment against individuals with blindsense, and members of this race still have the normal miss chance when attacking creatures that have concealment. Visibility still affects the movement of members of this race. Members of this race are still denied their Dexterity bonus to AC against attacks from creatures they cannot see. [4RP]
Darkvision: Formian Workers can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
Other Racial Traits:
Quadruped: Formians possess four legs and two arms, granting them a +4 racial bonus to CMD against trip attempts and a +10 foot bonus to their base speed. [2RP]
Total RP: 13
Conversion by:Â Aaron Masters, Jon Winter-Holt and Greg Jensen.