Fantasy Monster: Crimson Bees

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Crimson Bees

A swarm of red and black bees surrounded by sweet but unpleasant stench.

CR 10; XP 9,600
N Fine Vermin (swarm)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +2

Defense
AC 20, touch 20, flat-footed 18 (+2 Dex, +8 size)
hp 136 (21d8+42)
Fort +14; Ref +9; Will +9
Defensive Ability swarm traits; Immune weapon damage

Weakness vulnerable to area damage

Offense
Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (good)
Melee swarm (5d6×2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks distraction (DC 22), vicious stings

Statistics
Str 1, Dex 14, Con 14, Int —, Wis 15, Cha 11
Base Atk +15; CMB —; CMD —

Skills Fly +14

Ecology
Environment temperate and forests and plains
Organization solitary, pair, hive (3–6 swarms)
Treasure standard (in the form of blood honey)

Special Abilities

Vicious Stings (Ex) Crimson bees sting their enemies with extreme prejudice dealing double damage comparing to typical swarms with the same HD. Creatures immune to poison or those immune to additional damage from critical hits suffer regular damage instead.


Crimson bees are deadly swarming insects that feed on flesh and flower pollen alike, producing a pinkish honey that is a potent magical component for healing and necromantic magic alike.

They are very aggressive comparing to more common bees and often pursue intruders until the prey is dead and can be feed on by the hive. They occasionally make hives inside carcasses of particularly large beasts.

Blood honey can be used as an all natural (if somewhat gross) substitute component for regular costly components used in healing and necromantic spells. A single ounce of blood honey is equivalent to 10 gp of components.