Stirge

In the dark and eerie depths, where danger lurks and blood is sought, the Stirge emerges as a small yet formidable creature. With its bat-like wings, needle-like proboscis, and insatiable thirst for blood, the Stirge embodies relentless hunger, tenacity, and the parasitic nature of a blood-drinking insect.

The Stirge appears as a small, insectoid creature with a body covered in a leathery exoskeleton. It possesses bat-like wings that allow it to flutter through the air with surprising agility. Its most notable feature is a long, needle-like proboscis protruding from its mouth, which it uses to feed on the blood of living creatures.

These parasitic insects are often found in dark and secluded places, such as caves, dense forests, or abandoned structures. They hunt in swarms, seeking out warm-blooded creatures as their source of sustenance. Stirges are relentless in their pursuit of blood, latching onto their prey and draining their life essence until sated.

Stirges have the ability to fly silently, making them excellent ambush predators. They swoop down from above, using their sharp proboscis to pierce the flesh of their victims and extract blood. While individually weak, they can be a formidable threat in large numbers, overwhelming their prey and draining them of their vital essence.

Encountering a Stirge is to face a creature of relentless hunger and persistent attacks. Its presence exudes an aura of parasitic danger and the relentless pursuit of blood. Engaging with a Stirge requires swift action and accurate strikes, as their small size and evasive maneuvers make them difficult to hit.

Stirges bring a touch of bloodthirsty danger and the relentless pursuit of sustenance to the tapestry of the world. They serve as reminders of the treacherous nature of the wilderness and the need for vigilance in even the most secluded places. Whether encountered as harbingers of blood-draining terror, pests in infested areas, or as a threat in the depths of forgotten ruins, Stirges add a sense of parasitic hunger, relentless pursuit, and the eerie allure of blood-drinking insects to the realms of adventure and exploration.

Actions

• Blood Drain: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the stirge attaches to the target. While attached, the stirge doesn’t attack. Instead, at the start of each of the stirge’s turns, the target loses 5 (1d4 + 3) hit points due to blood loss.
  The stirge can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement. It does so after it drains 10 hit points of blood from the target or the target dies. A creature, including the target, can use its action to detach the stirge.