The bats from 'Nightwing' (novel)

The winged animals are Yelaw's messengers

The massive colony of displaced vampire bats that are possibly the agents of ancient bat gods, the Nightwing bats don't just represent the danger of a natural onslaught, but also the possibility of a swarm of creatures representing a supernatural being.

Why the Nightwing Bats?

I have a love/hate relationship with Martin Cruz Smith's Nightwing. On the one hand, it was clearly one of the first 'stand out' horror books I read, mainly based on a recommendation from Stephen King's Danse Macabre and also that I got it at a library paperback sale when I was a young teenager (along with Salem's Lot). I remember reading the book and thinking that bats could be frightening, especially in large numbers and carrying both rabies and bubonic plague. I also liked the ideology of Nightwing being more than just a simple 'nature against man' sort of tale, and that the possibility that the bats could be supernaturally motivated appealed to me.

Nightwing Bats



Nightwing Bats
Individual Bat/Group of Ten (10)
F: Fe (2)/Gd (10)
A: Pr (4)/Gd (10)
S: Fe (2)/Pr(04)
E: Fe(2)/Gd (10)
R: Pr(04)
I: Typ (06)/Gd (10)
P: Pr (04)/Gd(10)

Health: 10/34 (per group of 10)
Karma: 14/24
Popularity: 0/-5 (in supernatural circles as the arm of Yelaw/Zotzilaha/Camazotz)
Resources: N/A

Talents:
None

Powers:
The bats have no powers per say overtly, outside of the standard abilities that all bats have, with three notable differences:

1. The Nightwing bats are more akin to South American vampire bats than the traditional southwestern variety. As such (and specifically in the novel), the bats are larger and more aggressive than their smaller native cousins.
2. Each of the bats is carrying a variety of diseases, specifically mentioned in the movie as Bubonic Plague and in the novels to include Rabies (See Cujo's write-up for more on Rabies effects). As such, the bite from a Nightwing bat requires an Ex (20) intensity Endurance FEAt to avoid contracting any version of the diseases mentioned, as they were stated as being a more virulent strain than normal.
3. Bats normally inflicts Fe (2) to Pr (4) edged damage, while groups of ten (10) inflict up to Gd (10) edged damage. Normally the damage is not lethal or can cause a kill result, but not Nightwing bats. Nightwing bats force kill checks per every Red Edged attack they inflict (within reason to resistance). For every group of twenty (20) bats, the damage and fighting of the swarm goes up by +1cs to a maximum of Incredible (40) representing the sheer numbers of bats. In the novel, it was estimated there were hundreds of bats within the colony easily.

In addition, the Nightwing bats have standard bat radarsense (per the Advanced Judges Book) of Rm (30) intensity, and can move 3 areas per turn.

Supernatural Origins: While openly suggested that the bats were summoned, it is never clearly defined in the novel (although the movie is more overt about it) that the bats are nothing more than a larger species. If the supernatural elements are indeed present, and are suggested by events in the novel, then the bats are in effect the vengeance of older gods upon humanity. As such, it would easy to suggest that the bats cannot be easily controlled or swayed through traditional (and non-traditional means). In other words, the Nightwing bats would probably have the equivalent to Ex (20) protection against Animal Control, and have the ability to use their collective Psyche for the purposes of Psyche FEATS. In addition, it's also safe to assume (based on actions) that the Nightwing bats are willing to sacrifice numbers to bring down opponents or engage in effects that would not be normal (as seen in the movie and during attacks described in the book).

Contacts:
None

Limitations:
The Nightwing Bats have the following limitations, both due to their nature as bats and in some cases, perhaps due to their supernatural origins.

• Sense Dependent: The Nightwing bats are dependent on their radarsense for navigation and echo location. In addition, they suffer +2cs for all sonic-based attacks.
• Blood Dependency: The Nightwing bats require blood to survive, as they are cousins of the South American variety of vampire bat. The Nightwing bats will attack larger groups over individuals, and will swarm in an almost frenzy when feeding (Shown pretty well during the movie).
• Ammonia Scent: Without getting too into the description, as the bats feed they excrete, giving off a strong ammonia smell. The bats can easily be trailed due to this scent and those with Tracking or Heightened Senses gain a +1cs for the purposes of finding their lair.
• Nocturnal: The Nightwing bats are nocturnal and will not venture out during the day.