Converting monsters from Second Edition Monstrous Compendiums

[Shade]

This thing will need a serious HD boost.

Comparable worms:

Purple worm (G): 16 HD, Str 35, Dex 6, Con 25, Int 1, Wis 8, Cha 8, The body of a mature purple worm is 5 feet in diameter and 80 feet long, weighing about 40,000 pounds.

Century Worm (G): 40 HD, Str 35, Dex 7, Con 22, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 2, specific length and diameter not given, but its "round, tooth-lined mouth easily accommodates an ogre"

Lucent Worm (G): 22 HD, Str 34, Dex 9, Con 25, Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 8, 5 feet in diameter and almost 100 feet long, weighing in at 55,000 to 60,000 pounds

This thing is 15 feet in diameter and "averages about 200 feet long" (or 100 feet long if you go with the stat block).

So I'm thinking HD somewhere between the lucent worm and the century worm, Str 35+, Con 25, and Dex somewhere in the 6-9 range.

 

[freyar]

That works for me.

How do you want to handle the "walk in and get swallowed" trap? This seems to go beyond the usual Imp Grab, Swallow Whole routine.

 

[Shade]

INTELLIGENCE: Semi- (2-4)

How about 32 HD, Str 38, Dex 7, Con 27, Int 3, Wis 10, Cha 8?

How do you want to handle the "walk in and get swallowed" trap? This seems to go beyond the usual Imp Grab, Swallow Whole routine.

We've got a precedent.

Camouflage (Su): Since a tunnel terror looks like a part of the tunnel terror looks like a part of the tunnel when at rest, it takes a successful Spot check (DC 20) to notice it before it attacks. Dwarves can use stonecunning to notice a tunnel terror.

Engulf (Ex): A tunnel terror can engulf one Large or smaller foe that has stepped into its body by making a successful grapple attempt against its foe. This move does not provoke an attack of opportunity. Engulfed victims are entangled and automatically take damage from suffocating constriction (see below). If the tunnel terror gets a hold, it is free to use its tentacles to strike at other targets while it constricts. Attacks made on an engulfing tunnel terror deal half their damage to the monster and half to the trapped victim.

Suffocating Constriction (Ex): An engulfed creature takes 1d8+13 points of bludgeoning damage, has no air to breathe, and begins to suffocate.

 

[demiurge1138]

Good call on the tunnel terror! I don't know if being swallowed warrants saves vs. suffocation though.

 

[freyar]

Good call on the tunnel terror! I don't know if being swallowed warrants saves vs. suffocation though.

I agree with your sentiment. Let's just use the normal swallow whole and say that engulfed victims are swallowed whole.

 

[Shade]

Added to Homebrews.

Suggested natural armor? The other Gargantuan worms range between +15 and +25.

The creature’s skin is coated with a sheath of viscous liquid, which it secretes through tiny, pore-like openings. The liquid helps keep the lukhorn’s skin supple and masks the creature’s body heat from infravision.

Darkvision is no longer heat-based, but do we want to retain some sort of additional nondetecton benefit from the liquid?

 

[Leopold]

+22 Natural armor

 

[demiurge1138]

It could just be invisible to darkvision. There's a magic item that does that--ring of the darkhidden, I think.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

If the lukhorn is attacked while digesting prey, the worm emits a powerful sonic screech. All within a 60-foot radius of the screech must make a saving throw vs. petrification; those who fail writhe in agony on the ground for 1d6 rounds. The sound of the lukhorn’s screech will carry for miles in the twisting caverns of the Underdark, perhaps attracting or warning off other monsters.

Sonic effect that requires a Fort save or fall prone and lose all actions except writhe in agony? Usable once every 1d4 rounds?

 

[demiurge1138]

So, it's Tasha's hideous laughter but full of agony instead? I like that. We should keep the "heard for miles, may attract monsters" provision, borrowing text perhaps from the shrieker.