Jade Scarab (Basic Lore)

Jade Scarab (Swarm; CR 17)
Neutral - Diminutive - Vermin
This creature possesses the Swarm role, and therefore counts as 2 monsters for purposes of encounter size, XP award, and treasure. This monster frequently has the Swarm role, but may be set to different roles if desired. Jade Scarabs are a sort of large beetle, easily big enough to cover the palm of your average civilized humanoid. Jade Scarabs are dangerous, magically potent vermin, although they are fortunately quite placid unless their territory is disturbed. Despite their small size, Jade Scarabs are extremely magical and very dangerous, not least due to their very hardy nature, their ability to bite and rend nearly anything, and their habit of attacking by flying directly into their enemies, crashing home, despite their tiny size, like hurled boulders. Perhaps worst, they have some (probably Divine) connection to some of the worst sorts of Undead and aberrant fiends out there. Jade Scarabs are often found near Mummies, to be blunt. Even if Jade Scarabs are not affiliated with one of those Emptied Horrors they are still very dangerous, even though they are remarkably decorative. You will sometimes see these tiny monstrosities kept as pets by the wealthy and daring, in which case you should be very careful indeed. Even fallow nests of Jade Scarabs are potentially very dangerous if the mystically empowered beetles are somehow disturbed or provoked, and Scarabs often act as mindless 'guardians' of barrows and tombs, even if their Undead allies are not present. Wise polities hire adventurers to clear out such nests as quickly as they are discovered. Jade Scarabs are frequently associated with Scarab-Plague Mummys. These creatures can often be found together.