As the name implies, the death worm is an impeccable killer, although not because of any keen hunter’s instinct. Rather, it is because every aspect of the creature’s physiology is specifically designed to kill and consume, to the point where even a single touch can mean instant death.
Desert Scourge. Death worms make their home in deserts, particularly those which hold sufficient quantities of sand for them to comfortably navigate through. A death worm hunts several feet below the surface, feeling the particles above them for the movements of potential prey. A worm attack begins with a tremor beneath the prey’s feet, before the monster bursts forth to grasp whatever it can with a circular, teeth-filled mouth.
A death worm can be circumvented by seeking shelter atop rocks and other surfaces that are too tough for it to break through. However, even this isn’t always enough. In addition to its ferocious bite, the death worm can also spit poison to strike targets at a distance, and sometimes even displays the curious ability to conduct electricity, which can be unleashed with deadly accuracy.
Alchemical Treasure Trove. Every piece of a death worm’s body is poisonous, which makes it an object of fascination amongst alchemists. Killing such a creature is a difficult task best reserved for monster hunters looking to score some coin, and extracting useful materials from a fresh corpse can be equally dangerous, but the rewards are considered worth any risk.
The most obvious use for death worm poison is as a tool for murder. In addition to smearing arrows and swords with the stuff, would-be assassin’s have also been known to repurpose the monster’s very teeth into knives that secrete their own venom.
Outside the criminal world, death worms are harvested for their internal organs, which serve as useful ingredients for a variety of antidotes, potions, and miracle cures. An enterprising company of dwarves even found a way to distill death worm blood to the point where it can be imbibed as a red ale, although those with less hardy livers are warned to avoid the stuff, less they suffer paralysis or worse.
Death Worm
Large monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 150 (20d10 + 40)
Speed 20 ft., burrow 40 ft.
STR 18 (+4) DEX 16 (+3) CON 14 (+2) INT 2 (-4) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 4 (-3)
Saving Throws CON +5
Damage Immunities poison, lightning
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses Tremorsense 120 ft. (blind otherwise), Passive Perception 10
Languages –
Challenge CR 8 (2,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
Death Touch. A creature that touches the death worm or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 7 (2d6) poison damage. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the poison damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The death worm makes two bite attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage plus 11 (2d10) poison damage. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the poison damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Breath Weapons (Recharge 5-6). The death worm uses one of the following breath weapons.
Poison Breath. The death worm exhales venom in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 55 (10d10) poison damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Lightning Breath. The death worm discharges lightning in a 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 55 (10d10) lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.