Apids are large social insects that look like giant bees. An infestation of apids spells bad news for the surrounding wildlife, as they are known to outcompete other species, especially normal bees.
An apid colony is centered on a hive, which is usually built underground, often in conjunction with natural caves. The colony is ruled by a single queen who lives ín the central nave of the hive. The hive is made from wax-reinforced walls, usually in hexagonal patterns.
Like their smaller cousins, they excrete sweet honey to feed their young. Apid honey has earth and positive essences, which makes it a highly valued alchemical ingredient.
Pheromones
In addition to a language of clicks and trills, apids communicate with scented pheromones, which they use to mark friends and foes. Apids can detect creatures covered in these pheromones much better than they can by their rather poor eyesight. If an enemy is detected, apids will attack it relentlessly, sacrificing themselves for the broodqueen and the hive. Even friendly apids covered by pheromones are also struck down by the hive defenders.
Castes
Apids hatch as one of several different castes, each with their own tasks in the hive ecosystem.
Apid Broodqueen
Large Monstrosity (CR 4 Leader)
The leader of an apid hive. If a second broodqueen hatches, the colony will divide itself among the two queens and the new queen will find a new place to make a hive.
Apid Honeyer
Small Monstrosity (CR 2 Controller)
Apid honeyers care for the hive's young. They transform the pollen and nectar into apid honey, which they feed to the rest of the hive. Honeyers have two pairs of wings and a multi-segmented body with yellow and black stripes, which tapers to a sharp tail-stinger.
Apid Swarmer
Medium Monstrosity (CR 1 Skirmisher)
Apid swarmers hunt food for the hive through predation, often carrying off small animals such as rabbits.
Apid Soldier
Medium Monstrosity (CR 1 Brute)
These flightless apids protect the hive from invaders. Plates of chitinous armor covers their bodies, and they have large pincers with which they can pin down attackers.
Apid Worker
Small Monstrosity (CR 1/2 Support)
Apid workers gather pollen and nectar from the area surrounding the hive, often leaving entire fields of flowers decimated in their wake.
Apid Drone
Small Monstrosity (CR 1 Soldier)
Apid drones are flightless, and their job is to excavate the hive and to care for the broodqueen.
Apid Waxling
Small Monstrosity (CR 1/2 Ambusher)
Apid waxlings have a large greenish bladder of acid on their back. When the swarm is threatened, the waxlings skitter up to the threat and cause the bladder to burst, bathing their enemy in acid. Waxlings often live in the ceiling of the hive, ready to drop onto unaware attackers.
Apid Larvae
Tiny Monstrosity (CR 1/8 Minion)
The first stage of an apid's life. The larvae will eventually pupate and hatch as another type of apid.
Apid Pupae
Apid pupae have AC 10 and 5 hit points. When an apid pupae hatches, roll on the following table to determine the caste.
| d6 | Creature |
|---|---|
| 1 | Apid Waxling |
| 2 | Apid Drone |
| 3 | Apid Soldier |
| 4 | Apid Worker |
| 5 | Apid Swarmer |
| 6 | Apid Honeyer |
Apid Knowledge
| Nature | Knowledge gained |
|---|---|
| 10 | Apids are social insects that form colonies |
| 15 | Apids uses pheromones to mark enemy targets |
| 20 | If the apid broodqueen is slain, the hive will disperse |