A Toe Bandit, by ThunderzSniper
Contents
Description
Toe Bandits are close relatives of the Skin-Stealers. They are tall, humanoid beings with sunken, pupilless eyes. They are often malnourished, or seem to be, most likely due to their reliance on toes for sustenance. They have gray skin, which is almost stereotypically alien-like. They are intelligent, and will be open to trade if you have spare toes (preferably that aren't on your body). They have sharp teeth, and are carnivorous tertiary predators. Their physical appearance is often likened to ReDeads and SCP-96.
Behavior
As stated before, Toe Bandits are intelligent beings, though they are sometimes hostile. When approached by a Toe Bandit, it will run at you quickly, assume a wide, hunched stance, making its arms as wide as possible, with its long fingers and blank eyes facing your toes, and say:
"Your toes, hand 'em over."
Though they can say other things, they will always approach with something similar to that, demanding your toes. They might be open to trade, but only if you aren't hostile to them, hurt them, or draw a weapon. They will accept fingers, but are often unhappy with this. They don't get hostile or anything, they just seem miffed. Toes are often the best options to give to them, as your fingers will be more useful to you than toes in the backrooms. Note that they will accept toes and fingers other than human ones. However, they tend to also dislike sharp talons or little meat in their toes, and will often demand more if given something similar to a bird's talons.
It is assumed they eat the toes and fingers they collect, as they are never seen holding any. Strangely, they don't have any toes themselves. Some colonists theorize they eat their own toes when they're hungry, but since they are never spotted ever having any, this is only speculation. Angering them or denying them toes or fingers will send them into an enraged state, pinning you down with their bodies and biting your toes off. However, if you give them your toes willingly, they may let you use your own equipment and tools to cut them off. Resisting an attack may result in death, but this varies with the personality of each Toe Bandit.
They are possible to kill, but they are surprisingly resilient despite their starved appearance. It is suggested to aim for any limbs they flail at you in combat, as a defense mechanism. Due to their lankiness, they can take much longer and faster steps, so running for most isn't an option. Experienced runners, physically fit individuals, and those that are smart with their escape routes tend to have a higher possibility to escape them.
Their intelligence is somewhat debated. They can understand simple concepts, such as any animal would, but they are also able to hold their own in debates, and can understand mildly advanced subjects such as math and science. More abstract concepts tend to confuse them, though. Further studies should be held on this topic.
Trading
Trading with Toe Bandits can be a fruitful endeavor. Since they don't eat anything but toes and fingers, they will often have assorted meats and supplies from travelers or entities they... found. They often have backpacks or travel sacks from wanderers, so they can carry their wares. Common items are:
- Assorted meats & body parts, from entities found on the level they're on. (Keep in mind they may also trade with human parts, so be mindful of that.)
- Bottles of assorted fluids (e.g. Almond Water, Liquid Pain, etc.), as they don't drink anything.
- Weapons or Tools; they don't seem to care about them, preferring to use their body instead.
Repeatedly trading with them may even yield you a friendship with one, as long as you keep them fed. Some have even decided to venture with travelers, benefiting from the teamwork of defeating entities. Toe Bandits get toes and sustenance from this, and travelers get more security with an entity to help them on their travels.
Locations
- Anywhere where Skin-Stealers or misc. entities can be found.
- Levels with higher Survival Difficulties, but not too high.