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A Buzzjewel is an insect from the Spelljammer campaign setting.[1]

Overview[]

Buzzjewels are inoffensive insects native to wildspace that travel through space in beautiful multi-colored swarms, and are attracted to light sources, much like moths. Spelljammer crews can always tell when a swarm of buzzjewels is approaching due to the loud droning noise made by their wings and the cloud of multicolored light reflected from their bodies.[1]

Description[]

Buzzjewel exoskeletons are partly made of gemstones, with opaque coloration ranging from ruby red to emerald green to aquamarine blue. When a buzzjewel dies or is killed, its organic body decays, leaving behind a small ornamental gemstone (worth about 5 gp) as a remnant of the insect's mineral rich meals. One buzzjewel in a thousand produces a fancy, precious, or jewel quality gemstone.

Like other insects, buzzjewel bodies have three segments: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Buzzjewel eyes are multifaceted and quite sensitive to light. Each buzzjewel has two pairs of translucent wings similar to that of a dragonfly, and three pairs of legs, which are drawn up close to its body during flight.[1]

Ecology[]

Buzzjewels contribute nothing to the local ecosystem. However, those races that mine gemstones greatly dislike the little gem-eaters. The gnomes call buzzjewels “gembane”, and the only printable name that dwarves use is “baublebiters”.

Due to the unpredictable nature of a buzzjewel's poisonous bite, most folk resist indulging in get-rich-quick-schemes involving catching the bugs and killing them for their gems; the low value of most of the resulting gems do not make it worth the risk.

On the other hand, dohwar actually use live, caged buzzjewels as currency, much to the revulsion of some civilized races. It is rumored that the dohwar are also experimenting with feeding buzzjewels fancy gems to see whether, once a buzzjewel dies, it leaves behind a more valuable gem.[1]

Combat[]

Although buzzjewels swarm around light sources, they are timid around living creatures. Not easily antagonized, a swarm of buzzjewels will passively tolerate some aggression towards them until the swarm collectively decides they are under threat and attack the aggressor and all other creatures in sight.

All buzzjewels have tiny sharp teeth, and can inject a possibly lethal poison into any wound they cause. Since buzzjewels have no taste for living flesh, they will bite and then quickly let go. A swarm will attempt to overwhelm all opponents, with up to 20 insects attacking a single opponent at once - though smaller opponents such as halflings and dwarves will usually be targeted by up to 10 buzzjewels. Buzzjewels also possess magic resistance, with a chance of reflecting spells back at the caster.[1]

Habitat[]

Buzzjewels live in tiny honeycombed passages located just under the surface of certain asteroids. Since they don't need air to survive, buzzjewels instinctively avoid planetoids with humanoid populations. As a rule, buzzjewels live on asteroids rich in mineral wealth and gemstones. Although gems are their preferred source of food, the insects can also eat any mineral or rock if pressed. Interestingly, pearls are deadly poisonous to buzzjewels, causing them to die and turn black without leaving behind a gemstone.

Buzzjewels communicate through intricate body movements, similar to bees. When a buzzjewel finds a new source of gems, it will return to its nest and perform a complex "dance", informing the rest of the swarm where the new strike is located. Dwarven sages have long tried to decipher the dance so they can mine the gems, so far to no avail.

Buzzjewels can be summoned by any appropriate insect summoning spell, such as summon insects or insect plague, and will behave normally. However, if the swarm is attacked for their gems, either by the caster or their allies, the summoner immediately loses control over the swarm, which will immediately attack the caster and anybody else in sight.[1]

Appendix[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 John Terra, MC9 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix II, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Buzzjewel entry
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