Monster: Scrawler

Ecology

Small, inky, masked gremlins summoned by wizards. Range in size from an ant to a house cat. Neither demons, nor angels, nor elemental spirits. Common superstition believes they are a manifestation of pure magic, and that they can occur naturally when objects are placed in certain ways. 

Wizard summoned scrawlers have masks marked with mystic symbols that gradually fade. As they fade, they lose whatever imperative the wizard summoned them for, and turn instead to marking every available surface with magic symbols which, when decoded, can be read to understand the properties of whatever they are written on. This work continues in a meticulous spiral around where they lost the last bit of pigment on their mask. These symbols are often found anywhere that is or once was inhabited by a wizard. 

They can be set back to work by repainting the symbols on their masks. Knowledge of magic circles is required for this task (general magic when no distinction exists). They can also be set to some other task if the painter is skilled.

Summon Scrawler can be learned as a first level spell, which can produce up to three scrawlers which cannot attack or carry anything larger than a large marble, or one scrawler which cannot lift anything larger than a dictionary. The larger one stays under your control for up to a day (concentration applies), while the smaller runs off in about a minute. The smaller scrawls for up to a day before perishing, covering almost every surface in a house, while the larger scrawls for up to a week and can cover almost a block. They can be killed before their time is up.

Symbols drawn by a scrawler can be read using comprehend languages or identify, but once decoded can be read fluently within that area. Each scrawler's pattern is unique and different uses of identify must be used for different scrawled areas.

Stats as house cat for large ones

Sigil-Scrawler

Also known as Scrawler-Scrawlers, a Critical Sigilluminary, or "You Dense Conjurer!". Child-sized, with many arms, dripping ink. Has one or more splattered masks. Their origin is unclear, with theories varying from Scrawlers consuming one another to a Scrawler copying the ritual to make a scrawler. Whatever it is, these pests copy the ritual to make Scrawlers over every surface. Expect wizard towers filled with cat- or child-sized humanoids and forests with ink-stained trees and leaves. 

Some wizards believe these little buggers to be the secret to complete omniscience, much to the chagrin of everyone.

Appear when the spell above is miscast.

Stats as Goblins with two or three extra attacks.