Bestiary: Gnemlin

## Summary

Like their surface-dwelling counterparts, Gnemlins have a particular affectionate affinity for Traps and Technics, through their affection far exceeds their capability and resources. Gnemlins will often use makeshift traps comprised of old scrap that has been hoarded and cobbled together, and are specially fond of janky, clanky alarm systems. They are well aware of the strengths of stealth and loathe to let an enemy sneak up on them (It would be a horrendous embarrassment), so alarm systems made from tripwire, or even old cans hanging on string, are often set-up around Gnemlin encampments and outposts, although they are not necessarily routine in cities where they might get in the way of day-to-day Gnemlin business. Well-made traps scavenged from the surface, or the most curious Gnemlin designs made of rarer materials, are often used to protect the Gnemlins most valuable places.

When a Gnemlin comes across a well-made trap or piece of equipment, they are extremely covetous and protective, even going as far as attacking each other to maintain their prize. Often, the boss Gnemlin of any particular raid-party or clan is the Gnemlin able to secure (and keep hold of) the most impressive bit of gear.

When overwhelmed and unable to escape, Gnemlins will surrender and grovel for mercy, relying on their ability to escape later.

A Gnemlin encounter should be comprised of roughly 70% Common Gnemlins, 20% Medium Rarity Gnemlins, and 10% Rare Gnemlins, often acting as the encounter's boss. Traps are common, especially if there is a Gnemlin Trapper in the raid, but all Gnemlins will set-up basic traps around a camp site.

## Boss Gnemlins

NPC Boss Gnemlins should be made-to-order for each quest. Generally raidbands and local bosses are the strongest Gnemlins in the area, allowing them to boss around all the others and keep them in line with fear. They can be any level, but are generally level 4+ in order to out-level the generic Gnemlin archetypes. Normally, they will either be powerful Arcanists - with advanced Fire, Fungal, or Illusion magic, Advanced Fungiformers, or just particularly strong Gnemlins who have secured themselves a piece of impressive technology, such as a power drill or pyro-torch.

Boss Gnemlins rarely join the front-line and fight in melee, in part because they just don't want to (they are Gnemlins, after-all), and in part because they know they can not trust the others to have their back. Boss Gnemlins lead by fear, not example.

Naturally, these are suggestions, and a Boss Gnemlin can have any kind of character or skill-set that the DM desires.

## Combat Tactics

Due to their small size, relatively little strength, and skittish nature, Gnemlins prefer to fight an opponent in a guerilla war, attacking at range and then retreating to the shadows. Very rarely do Gnemlins engage in close-combat, unless it's with a stab to the back on an unsuspecting enemy, or in an ambush with overwhelming odds. Despite their proclivity to attack in numbers, Gnemlins are always concerned with looking out for Number One, and see no problem in running from a battlefield to hide and strike again from the shadows or flank, or simply just fleeing to see another day.

Each turn, a Gnemlin's top priority tends to be making sure it can't be hit by moving away from a threatening opponent, either by attempting to move out of melee range, or hiding behind cover. Gnemlins will then attack their opponents with ranged weapons or spells.

Since Gnemlins inhabit the labrynthine underground, in this kind of battlefield, they will make use of tunnels, pillars, offshoots, and walls to get around an opponents flank and rear to make surprise attacks, or fire through specially-cut holes in stone, allowing them to attack opponents from safety. When caught in an unfavourable, open environment, they will do their best to flee and, barring that, they will group together in a selfish herd- where each Gnemlin calculates that, in a group, the probability they themselves will be attacked is diluted. Although they have the intelligence to fan out to flank an opponent - and will do so in favourable conditions - when caught in the open a self-preservation instinct kicks in.

Gnemlins are considerably intelligent, at the very least smart enough to know what opponents should be targeted first, and will often focus on those who are the biggest threat; often opponents who are able to retaliate at range, or close distance *quickly*. Slower, tankier opponents who the Gnemlins think they can outrun and outmanoeuvre are usually left to last, when they can be safely surrounded and prodded from all sides.