Beetleman is a bizarre entity that apparently occupies or is trapped in an odd, beetle-like artifact of dark metal. Having apparently forgotten his past, Beetleman is led to conduct certain action by fading impulses in his mind. Currently, he puppets the body of a corpse interred in the tomb of Thaloss Zinir, where he was discovered and activated by the Cursebusters.
Description
Appearance
Beetleman's form can change depending on who he occupies, but currently he is based in the dried, husk-like corpse of an old Khazran priest.
His personality, it seems is contained to a strange, metal beetle shaped out of smooth, dark metal. A small hole is visible in the thorax of the beetle, from which it is capable of producing small metal beads. The beetle is fitted with a proboscis that grows into the host it currently occupies, flaying out into multiple metal wires. On the underside of the abdomen is an odd symbol depicting multiple daggers pointed inwards towards a flame.
Personality
Beetleman seems trusting and naïve at times, but possesses great power and knowledge that would seem to indicate a hidden nature. Regardless, he has shown himself to be truthful and earnest in his actions. He is apparently missing his memory, but is guided by impulses that lead him to do questionable things.
Skills and Abilities
Beetleman appears to commands a distinct set of skills, based on whether he current occupies a body or not. When solely contained to his artifact, he is capable of observing little about the world; however, he is capable of communicating with those in direct contact with him, and can feel the presence of metal beads that he is capable of creating. These metal beads seek out corpses and tunnel into their bodies with thin metal strands, making lifeless beings known as the Drained.
When placed upon the nape of a body's neck, Beetleman is capable of seizing control of the it, using it for his own purposes and gaining greater power. In this form Beetleman can seize direct control of the strange beads he creates, allowing him to manipulate the corpses affected by his beads. Additionally, he is capable of casting various forms of magic, including levitation and rudimentary divination.
History
Beetleman, as an artifact, was discovered by the adventurer Lambchop in Iron 989 whilst exploring the ruins of Thaloss Zinir alongside the Cursebusters. Beetleman was held by a skeleton inside a Batraxian ritual circle, covered in runes carved into its bones. As Lambchop took the artifact, Beetleman spoke directly into his mind, asking him to place his "body" on the nape of a corpse's neck, which Lambchop later did. Beetleman then animated the corpse and used it as a host, exploring the ruins for a time to get his bearings. When given his location by the Stakes, Beetleman appeared recognize the name of the site, but held no recollection of how he arrived there. Seized by a desire to locate a certain artifact within the tomb's halls, Beetleman delved into the crypt, controlling the once-hostile Drained like puppets. Eventually, he collected the spears in a treasure room where he found an odd crystal, which he identified as his quarry. He promised the members of the Claw that he would use his abilities to call back the Drained into the tomb, but did not specify his plans beyond that. Before Lambchop left the tomb, Beetleman took a bit of his hair, for "communication" purposes.