Table - Hello, little beastie...

This is the full list of ideas for small creatures I published over four posts last year, but revised and with three more entries to get a D80 table.

I'm using it as a resource for area 24 of Matt's recent community project and I want one link.

What was it all about? Here's the original blurb:

This ties in loosely with yesterday's post on a new way of playing miniatures wargames in heavier terrain, but is also very relevant to roleplaying games of all or most kinds.

In dense alien jungles and rubble-strewn post-apocalyptic cityscapes it's quite possible player characters and units will bump into strange new creatures, many of which will be small and relatively insignificant, but still able to influence the game and add colour...

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1. This creature defends itself by releasing a pungent musk, which may cause nausea and clings to surfaces for an extended period of time if not washed off.
2. This hairy creature defends itself by releasing a cloud of fine folicles which cause extreme irritation to skin and may disrupt the working of sensitive organs.
3. As a defence, this creature unleashes a powerful electrical discharge, likely to cause a temporary loss of faculties in all but the largest organisms.
4. This creature is infested with plague-bearing parasites, which may transfer to other organisms in close proximity; the infestation is not immediately obvious.
5. This large-mouthed creature defends itself by removing large hunks of flesh.
6. This well-camouflaged creature injects a venom through its retractable spines.
7. This fanged creature is able to compress tightly, strike far and release a venom.
8. This creature latches onto a larger prey and draws sustenance from bodily fluids.
9. This creature holds its ground, screeching at high volume; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as an increase in numbers.
10. This creature vanishes rapidly into a small adjacent space; if an attempt is made to reach it, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no discovery.
11. This wandering creature appears to vanish into thin air and may be discovered later in the corner of a pack or pocket; at that point roll again on this table.
12. This creature is currently held immobile in a well-made trap; if an attempt is made to free it, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
13. This creature is trapped by a collapse, leakage or similar; if an attempt is made to free it, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
14. This winged or floating creature will defend its nest vigorously; the nest is formed of an unusual material and contains eggs, young or a store of objects, either shiny, brightly coloured or of a particular shape, type, material or function.
15. This creature has found a supply of edible material; if one or other is approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
16. This creature is drinking of or washing in a source of fresh water; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
17. This creature secretes a fluid which will be found to be nourishing; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
18. This creature makes its home in an item of apparently high value; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
19. This creature has a luxuriant, exotically-patterned or shifting fur; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
20. This creature has a glittering, segmented exoskeleton or scales; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
21. This creature exhibits a powerful, controlled bioluminescence; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
22. This creature is all but invisible, and will follow other organisms; sudden moves may lead to contact, at which point - or if approached - roll again on this table.
23. This creature is able to teleport away and will observe other organisms for an extended period of time, aiming to remain at a safe distance; if surprised, roll again on this table, treating the same result as escape and further observation.
24. This docile creature will mimic the behaviours of non-aggressive organisms.
25. This docile creature will happily accompany non-aggressive organisms and is either familiar with the dangers of the area or has a preternatural awareness.
26. This tame creature is the much-loved pet of a much larger organism nearby.
27. This creature appears to be highly intelligent and communicates a willingness to act as a guide, though the precise purpose and eventual destination are unclear.
28. This creature is able to spit acid over a great distance and will do so freely.
29. As a defence, this creature may ignite its surface and direct flame at threats; if approached, it will attempt to light a flammable material to cover its escape.
30. This tentacled creature holds prey fast; if the victim does not free itself rapidly, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
31. This dextrous creature attempts to snatch an object and escape to a location nearby; if successful and pursued, and an attempt is made to access the location, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
32. This creature secretes a fluid which is a fast-acting poison; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
33. This creature secretes a fluid which soothes and speeds healing; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
34. This creature secretes a fluid which will is an effective adhesive; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
35. This creature warps the fabric of reality within a radius, bringing good fortune.
36. This creature warps the fabric of reality within a radius, bringing misfortune.
37. This creature warps the fabric of reality within a radius, to avoid existence.
38. Although unable to communicate, this creature may grant a single limited wish.
39. This creature is a mighty being in disguise; it will reveal itself at the proper time.
40. This creature is able to assume the form of small objects of a similar mass; if disturbed, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
41. This rather unattractive creature is the unfortunate victim of a transformative force and will attempt to communicate this fact with persistence; if not assisted, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
42. This creature is able to mimic sounds, including short spoken phrases, and does so frequently. In addition, it has a highly informative range of phrases memorised.
43. This intelligent creature is able to converse fluently with moderate knowledge.
44. This creature is the guardian of a location, not necessarily nearby; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
45. The creature is a spy, perhaps unwittingly, for another individual; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
46. This creature is at this very moment being used as bait by a hunter.
47. This insubstantial creature is being projected from a distant location, perhaps even a location beyond the boundaries of this world; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as the opening of a portal to that location.
48. This creature is a hallucination, not necessarily of the individual discovering it.
49. As a defence, this creature expands to immense size; if an attempt is made at capture or harm, it will rapidly deflate, expelling a cloud of highly noxious gas.
50. This elongated creature is slow and muscular, killing by cautious constriction.
51. This creature is able to exert a powerful and spatially variable magnetic field.
52. As a defence, this creature produces a flash of light through its outer tissues.
53. This creature is able to store and focus any light falling on its body, and will defend itself by unleashing a blast of heat using the energy currently held.
54. This creature has a terrifying appearance likely to cause shock upon discovery.
55. This ornately-horned or tusked creature attempts to gore any perceived threats.
56. This creature has a fungal biology and will release spores upon discovery; these will produce rapidly-maturing offspring in clothing and among possessions at a later date, at which point roll again on this table for the nature they exhibit.
57. This creature secretes a lubrication making it extremely difficult to grip.
58. This multipedal creature responds to danger by gripping with its sharp claws.
59. This telepathic creature will attempt to plant suggestions in the minds of nearby organisms, initially encouraging support and protection, later growing ambitious.
60. This insubstantial creature will attempt to enter a nearby organism to nest.
61. This creature is covered in a great mass of long silken hair, which it will immediately shed as a distraction and abandon if discovered; if pursued, roll again on this table, treating the same result as no additional effect.
62. This creature has the ability to pass through solid materials apparently unhindered; if approached, it will do so, leaving an opening icy to the touch.
63. This flying creature catapults away when discovered to circle or hover far overhead, remaining there for some time, a sign for all able to read it.
64. This creature is a collection of highly advanced technologies; if approached, roll twice more on this table to determine its immediately notable systems.
65. This shapeshifting creature is able to mimic the appearance of other organisms, even those of greatly differing size, and defends itself by duplicating a threat.
66. As a defence, this creature will break itself down into increasingly small component organisms; roll again on this table to determine their nature.
67. This creature is a vehicle for one or more others; if approached, roll again on this table, treating the same result as emergence; in the event of emergence, vehicle death or attempted contact, roll once again to determine the nature of each pilot.
68. This creature controls others across a vast area; if threatened, it will call upon them, at which point roll again on this table for each arrival to determine nature.
69. This creature exists in this particular stream of light only and will defend itself by striking electromagnetically at the visual organs of any individual observing it.
70. This creature inhabits the current light conditions at this location, and will move with them, vanishing if they cease to exist; if an observer is lit, roll again on this table, treating the same result as the creature transferring to new conditions.
71. This creature exists only at the edge of sight, and maintaining it in the peripheral vision requires concentration; any individual approaching will seem to move to the edge of sight too, and if such an approach is made, roll again on this table.
72. This creature appears to exist within a reflective surface, such as a mirror, pane or puddle, which is in fact a portal; if physical contact is made, roll again on this table, with the same result indicating the individual is drawn through the portal.
73. This creature ordinarily inhabits the shadow of the individual discovering it, but has become briefly disoriented; it will attempt immediately to reenter this shadow; if prevented, the individual will undergo minor personality changes.
74. This creature is a miniature of the individual discovering it, identical but for...
75. This creature is a coalesced figment of the imagination discovering it.
76. This creature emerges or has emerged from the individual discovering it.
77. This docile creature navigates darkness by emitting light from an unusual organ.
78. This creature is in fact a colony of sparks of light inhabiting a precious stone.
79. This creature is not alone; roll twice more on this table to determine both natures.
80. This creature is in fact a swarm of specialised roles; roll thrice more on this table.

More tables here. We're only a third through Matt's map - feel free to jump in anywhere.

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