Zergling

(Version 1.02 - Last Modified: 03/30/2003)

History

The Zerglings are a common sight at any Zerg hive cluster and can be encountered in large numbers wherever the Zerg are found. At some point during their long search for the Protoss home world, the Zerg encountered a species of dune-runners on the planet of Zz’gash. This species was quick, dangerous, and deadly and the Overmind believed it would make an excellent addition to the swarm. Soon after, the Zerg decimated the planet of Zz’gash and assimilated the DNA and genetic code of the dune-runners.

Traits common to all Zerg creatures were engineered into the DNA of the dune-runners, as was thicker armor and sharper claws. The creatures were then named Zerglings by the Overmind and placed as the frontline warriors of the swarm. One of their greatest advantages is their relatively simple genetic code, which allows two Zerglings to be created from a single larva. Only one other Zerg creature shares this feature, and that is the short-lived Scourge.

For the invasion of Aiur, the Overmind devised an upgraded breed of Zerglings. These new Zerglings were stronger and more deadly than their brethren and helped the Zerg overwhelm the powerful Zealot armies of the Protoss. The upgraded Zergling can be created in two different ways; the first is by morphing an existing Zergling, while the other is creating an upgraded Zergling directly from a larva. Unfortunately, to make the new upgraded Zerglings from a larva, the creature must remain in an egg for 10% longer then normal.

Racial Statistics

• Alignment: None, considered to be an evil animal.
• Attributes:
  
  • I.Q.: Low Animal Intelligence, considered an IQ of 2.
  • M.E.: 12 (10+1D4)
  • M.A.: 3 (1D6)
  • P.S.: 14 * (10+1D6)
  • P.P.: 17 (12+2D4)
  • P.E.: 13 * (10+1D6)
  • P.B.: 3 (1D6)
  • Spd: 30 (25+2D4)
  • * PS and PE are considered supernatural
• Size: 3’ (0.9 m) high, 2’ (0.6 m) wide, and 5’ (1.5 m) in length.
• Weight: 110 lbs (49.9 kg)
• M.D.C.: 59 in magic rich areas (PE attribute x3 +1D4x10)
• M.D.C. Armor Rating: See ability number 3, Armor, under the Natural Abilities section.
• S.D.C.: 30 in non-magic rich areas (1D6x10)
• Hit Points: 56 in non-magic rich areas (PE attribute x2 +1D6x10)
• Armor Rating: See ability number 3, Armor, under the Natural Abilities section.
• Average Life Span: 80 years after transforming from a Larva.
• Horror Factor: 12
• P.P.E.: 40 (1D4x10+20)
• Magic Powers: None
• Natural Abilities:
  
  1. Improved Zergling Upgrade:
     
     It will take 12 hours to transform a standard Zergling into an improved Zergling. During this time, the Zergling enters into a period of deep hibernation, from which it cannot be disturbed even by the Overmind. During this hibernation period, the creature’s body changes subtly: its claws become sharper, its armor will become thicker, and it will grow several new internal organs that increase its speed and its agility. After the transformation is concluded, the Zergling will have the following bonuses: +6 to PP, +10 to Spd, +20 M.D.C. / S.D.C., +2 attacks per melee, +2 to initiative, +5 M.D. to claw strike, +3 M.D. to bite attack, +2 to damage reduction (see natural ability #3), and regenerates at an increased rate of +2 M.D.C. per melee. This improvement causes the Zergling to lose 50% of its PPE and reduces its life span by 25%.
  2. Burrow:
     
     Many land-based Zerg creatures have the ability to burrow underground. This provides the Zerg some measure of protection from attacks and allows them to ambush unsuspecting opponents. The Zerg creatures can burrow up to 100’ (30.5 m) in soil, sand, and similar material and only 10’ (3.1 m) in solid rock. Opponents have a penalty of -25% to their detect ambush skill when trying to find a burrowed Zergling.
  3. Armor:
     
     All Zerg creatures have incredibly tough exoskeletons that reduce the damage that they receive from any incoming attacks. Reduce all damage, either from normal or magical attacks, by 6 points. For example, if a volley of mini-missiles inflicted 66 points of damage, it would be reduced to 60 points of damage. Damage cannot be reduced below zero. The creature has an M.D.C. Armor Rating of 7 in magic-rich environments.
  4. Regeneration:
     
     A feature from the original Zerg creature, the Zergling can regenerate at an amazing rate, and can regenerate whole limbs and body parts. The creature regenerates at a rate of 4 M.D.C. per melee. It will take five minutes to regenerate a leg, twenty minutes to regenerate an eye, ten minutes to regenerate a mandible (needs both mandibles to perform a bite attack), and fifteen minutes to regenerate a claw arm.
  5. Hive Mind Immunities:
     
     From the fact that at a basic level all Zerg share the same mind as the Overmind, individual Zerg creatures are very resilient to mental attacks. Any mind altering or mind affecting spells or psionic powers such as sleep, possession, or hypnotic suggestion will not work on a Zerg creature. This also functions as a permanent Mind Block on all Zerg creatures.
  6. Survival Instincts and Immunities:
     
     From the ingrained survival instincts that were developed by evolution and the Xel’Naga, and incorporated by the Overmind, all Zerg creatures are immune to diseases, toxins, poisons, and gases, both normal and supernatural. The Zerg are also unaffected by Horror Factor and Awe Factor and any attempts to intimidate them. With the assimilation of several space borne creatures, all Zerg can function completely normally in space, in an atmosphere, or underwater, with no maximum depth, with no penalties. Zerg creatures can survive temperatures between -200 to 500 degrees Celsius. Land based Zerg creatures have no way of propelling themselves in space besides pushing off from solid structures.


• Combat Skills: 4 attacks per melee, +1 to initiative, +3 to strike, +2 to parry, +2 to dodge.
• Damage: A Claw Jab inflicts 3D4 M.D. with a W.R. (Weapon Rating) of 9, a Claw Slash inflicts 4D4 M.D. with a W.R. of 8, a Bite inflicts 2D4 M.D. with a W.R. of 8, and a Ram Attack inflicts 1D6 M.D. with a W.R. of 7. Increase W.R. of all attacks by +1 for every four points of supernatural PS above 14 (at values 18, 22, 26, etc.). In non magic-rich environments, attacks inflict S.D.C. damage, but normal PS damage bonuses apply.
• Bonuses: +3 to save vs. all types of magic and +3 to save vs. psionics (counts as a non-psychic).
• Penalties: Zerglings have no long range attacks and will often ignore armored opponents in order to attack more “natural” looking targets unless directly controlled by the Overmind, a Cerebrate, or an Overlord.
• Natural Skills:
  
  • Land Navigation (75%)
  • Prowl (75%)
• Allies: The Zerg have no real allies, but since the death of the Overmind, several independent Cerebrates have banded together and given each other aid.
• Enemies: The Zerg have made many enemies over the millennia that they have been traveling throughout the galaxy.