Striv, or waterbugs, are pests of the Drylands. Large, armoured, and multi-segmented insects about a foot long; Striv are reddish brown in color, and gather wherever open water or copious moisture is to be found. Once they have found such a source the Striv swarm over it, absorbing every drop and swelling up as they do so. Eventually each Striv holds as much as a water flask. When water levels fall the Striv dig holes in the ground and hirbenate until the next rain. If water is plentiful the Striv quickly multiply, and can drink a whole well dry. The only way to get at the water then is to dig the Striv out, catch them, and crack them open — a laborious, time consuming, exhausting and painful (Striv bites are certainly painful) process. Stats above are for individual Striv. To catch a Striv roll contested Agility + Move.
Although fit and healthy Keldians are not in much danger from the bugs themselves, many a desperte traveller has crawled to a water source only to find it dry and Striv ridden. Such unfortunates likely end up as Striv food themselves. Striv make good encounters for a failed survival roll. Have each person make Attack + Move rolls, each success nets 1 Arin of water.