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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Faolyn" data-source="post: 9393865" data-attributes="member: 6915329">Wish me luck--I actually get to start running my first LU campaign today at a long, in-person session.The next creature is another swarm, the first of 3x for me. It’s described as a “Medium-Size Aberration,” which makes me appreciate how it would now be described as a “Medium swarm of Tiny aberrations.” It actually threw me for a loop when I read the flavor text that described them as Tiny while the statblock said Medium. These are the verx, creepy-looking rat-replacements with a nasty bite that infests the target. They’re described as being albinos and relying on taste and smell to navigate, which is very appropriate for a subterranean creature.[ATTACH=full]370621[/ATTACH]VerxThe Bestiary, Dragon Magazine #281Creature by Joseph R. Terrazzino; art by Brian SnōddyVerx are rat-sized creatures that are little more than walking mouths, lacking eyes or ears but having rows of metallic teeth and glossy white skin. Their short, red tongues constantly flicker in and out of their mouths, tasting the air for potential prey. Verx appear to be mildly psychic, communicating simple emotions and images with other members of their colony. They are capable of sending telepathic messages to other beings, but almost never do so, and are even more limited in what they send when they do.Swarmers. Where one verx is, others are sure to be near, since they live in large colonies that can span several square miles, similar to the towns that prairie dogs dig. They attack in swarms, overwhelming their prey with sheer numbers, then cutting it into and dragging the pieces back to their colony’s food chambers for future consumption. They will gladly eat meat and bone alike, leaving nothing behind but whatever metallic objects the prey was carrying. Getting to any treasure they may have can be very difficult for anyone who lacks the ability to dig through solid stone.Infectious Breeding. Female verx reproduce by biting warm-blooded creatures; this injects several dozen larvae into the creature; verx can scent the presence of these larvae and will not kill the host, although other females may inject their own larvae as well. These larvae eat the host from the inside out, causing severe pain and eventually killing it. When that happens, the larvae quickly pupate into adults, chew their way out, and make their way back to their parent’s colony. While many die during this journey, usually enough survive to ensure the colony continues.Climate/Terrain: any climate; cavern, UnderlandLegends and LoreWith an Arcana check, the characters can learn the following:DC 10. These tiny creatures are always found in large swarms.DC 15. With a mouth filled with metallic teeth, verx are capable of digging through even solid rock. They build extensive warrens in rock walls and stalagmites.DC 20. Verx breed by injecting larvae into their prey with a bite. This eventually kills the host, unless it’s treated with a spell such as lesser restoration.Verx EncountersChallenge Rating 3-4 swarm of verxChallenge Rating 5-10 2-3 swarms of verxTreasure: 400 gp, 2 malachites (10 gp each), ring of swimmingSigns1. Dozens of small holes in the rock walls and ground2. The corpse of an adventurer, cut up, with bloody trails leading towards the colony’s location3. Hundreds of tiny, three-toed footprints4. Cicada-like chittering coming from all aroundBehavior1-2. Hunting; will attack on sight3. Keeping watch; will alert their colony-mates when the party approaches4. Dragging bits of meat back to their colony.VerxTiny aberration; Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)AC 12HP 3 (1d4+1; bloodied 1)Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 10 ft.STR 2 (-4) DEX 14 (+2) CON 12 (+1)INT 2 (-4) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 5 (-3)Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 12Skills Perception +2, Stealth +4Condition Immunities blinded, deafenedSenses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 12Languages telepathy 60 ft. (can transmit but not receive emotions and images)Keen Smell. The verx has advantage on Perception checks that rely on smell.Tunneler. The verx can tunnel through earth and solid rock, leaving behind a 6 inch-diameter tunnel.ActionsBite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage, and if the target is a creature, it must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become infected with a disease: verx spawn infestation. Until this disease is cured, the creature has 1 level of fatigue, disadvantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration, and at the end of each long rest, 1d4 verx will emerge from the target's body, and the target's hit point maximum is reduced by 1 for each verx that emerges. The target will die if its hit point maximum is reduced to 0. A creature can succumb to this infestation multiple times but will only lose a single level of fatigue, no matter how many times it failed its saving throw.Swarm of VerxMedium swarm of Tiny aberrations; Challenge 3 (700 XP)AC 12HP 55 (10d8+8; bloodied 27)Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 10 ft.STR 2 (-4) DEX 14 (+2) CON 12 (+1)INT 2 (-4) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 5 (-3)Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC XSkills Perception +2, Stealth +4Condition Immunities blinded, deafenedSenses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 12Languages telepathy 60 ft. (can transmit but not receive emotions and images)Keen Smell. The verx has advantage on Perception checks that rely on smell.Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and move through any opening large enough for a Tiny creature. It can’t gain hit points or temporary hit points.Tunneler. The verx can tunnel through earth and solid rock, leaving behind a 6 inch-diameter tunnel.ActionsBite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (4d6+2) piercing damage, or 9 (2d6+2) piercing damage if the swarm is bloodied, and if the target is a creature, it must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become infected with a disease: verx spawn infestation. Until this disease is cured, the creature has 1 level of fatigue, disadvantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration, and at the end of each long rest, 1d4 verx will emerge from the target's body, and the target's hit point maximum is reduced by 1 for each verx that emerges. The target will die if its hit point maximum is reduced to 0. A creature can succumb to this infestation multiple times but will only lose a single level of fatigue, no matter how many times it failed its saving throw.CombatVerx never attack unless they’re in a swarm, and will flee if bloodied or if one or more of their targets fail their saving throws.</blockquote>

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