Flash beetle

Flash beetle

(Creature)

Common

Small

Animal

Level

-1

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Source: Monster Core, pg(s). 42

Flash beetle had the

N

traits in Bestiary 41.

Ⅱ

Flash beetles are large bioluminescent beetles.

A typical flash beetle is 3 feet long and has a pair of glowing organs that can emit a blinding flash of light. These continue glowing for several days, even after death, which makes them useful to residents of the Darklands who domesticate and use them as pets, livestock, or light sources. They are also useful to miners and other underground travelers for whom a flash beetle's light is cheaper and safer than other sources.

Abilities

A flash beetle's two bioluminescent organs can fill a 10-foot-radius perimeter with bright light. In self defense they can create a disorienting flare of light, but doing so exhausts their bioluminescence for 24 hours.

Flash beetles can see in little light.

Uses

Bioluminescent flash beetle organs can be harvested and used as components in alchemy, spells, and the creation of magic items related to illumination.

Flash beetle eggs are a component of flash beetle lanterns, in which the eggs are suspended in a magical solution filling an unassuming hooded lantern. Once per day, the user can flip a concealed lever in the handle to cause a small current pass through the solutions, which causes the eggs to flash with enough intensity to temporarily blind people.

References

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