Coin scavengers are tiny constructs that resemble mechanical spiders with copper plating. They were originally created by a greedy wizard who wanted to collect all the coins in the world. He enchanted them with a magical sense of smell that allowed them to detect any coin within 30 feet of them. He also gave them the ability to consume coins and use their metal to repair themselves. He planned to unleash them on the cities and towns of the world and have them bring back all the coins they could find.
However, his plan backfired when the coin scavengers turned on him and devoured his entire fortune. They then escaped from his laboratory and spread across the land, looking for more coins to feed on. They are especially attracted to copper coins, as they match their own color and material. They are also drawn to other precious metals, such as silver and gold, but they avoid iron and steel, as they find them too hard and bitter.
Coin scavengers are not very intelligent, but they are cunning and stealthy. They often hide in dark places, such as sewers, dungeons, or abandoned buildings, where they can find coins that have been lost or forgotten. They also sneak into places where coins are stored or exchanged, such as banks, markets, or temples. They use their nimble claws to snatch coins from unsuspecting people or objects, and then flee to a safe spot where they can devour them.
Coin scavengers are usually solitary, but they sometimes form small groups or swarms when they find a large source of coins. They do not communicate with each other, but they can sense each other's presence through their coin sense. They do not have any loyalty or hierarchy among themselves, and they will fight over coins if there are not enough for everyone. They also do not have any natural predators or enemies, except for those who value their coins and try to protect them from the scavengers.
Coin scavengers are considered a nuisance and a threat by most people who encounter them. They are often hunted down and destroyed by guards, adventurers, or bounty hunters who want to stop their coin thefts or recover their stolen coins. Some people also try to capture them and use them as pets or tools, but this is very risky, as the scavengers are not loyal or obedient, and will try to escape or bite their captors at any opportunity.
Coin scavengers do not have any purpose or goal beyond finding and eating coins. They do not care about the value or history of the coins they consume, nor do they understand the concept of money or trade. They simply follow their instinct and hunger for metal. Some people believe that they are a curse or a punishment from the gods for the greed and corruption of the world. Others think that they are a sign of the end times, when all wealth and civilization will be devoured by metal spiders.