Evasion. If the Brood Keeper is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half the damage, the skull lord instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Magic Resistance. The Brood Keeper has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Pounce. If the brood keeper moves at least 20 feet toward a target it can use its multi attack as if it started the turn grappling.
Fear. Any creature that witnesses the Brood Keeper rip a target apart with its rake or witnesses it use it Larvae Swarm must succeed a DC 12 Wisdom Saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute the creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the brood keepers fear for 24 hours.
Swarm Keeper. The Brood Keeper automatically succeeds on any saves caused by its larvae swarm.
MultiAttack. The Brood Keeper makes three attacks two with its claws and one with its bite. If the Brood Keeper begins the round in a grapple it can make four extra Rake attacks as part of its multi attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage. If the target is a huge or smaller creature, it is Grappled (escape DC 20).
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d8+7) slashing damage.
Rake. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage. If the brood keeper hits a creature with a bite or claw attack and at least one rake attack, it rips its foe apart. This attack deals an extra 16 (2d8+7) points of damage a creature can take this extra damage only once per turn.
Larvae Swarm. The Brood keeper raises its carapace and releases a Brood Keeper Larvae Swarm, until the start of its next turn the Brood Keeper suffers a -5 penalty to its AC. The Swarm shares the Brood Keepers initiative and may act immediately after it is released. A brood keeper can keep only one brood of larvae in its back. Should the larva swarm be damaged so much that it disperses, a brood keeper gives birth to another batch of larvae in 1 month. If the brood keeper has not done so already, it automatically releases its brood of larvae when it dies.
Description
This creature looks like an enormous beetle with a carapace made of hundreds of leaf-shaped, chitinous plates. The creature’s black body gleams with iridescence like the shells of some insects, but it has eyes like a cat’s. It is armed with long claws on each of its legs, and large mandibles extend from its mouth. Brood keepers are terrifying insectlike creatures with the glimmer of intelligence in their eyes. Like spider eaters, they are solitary hunters and reproduce in a grisly manner. Brood keepers are so named because they keep their young in their backs, releasing them to feed or in times of stress. Brood keeper larvae look very different from their parent, but grow to resemble it over the course of many months. Brood keepers are asexual and releasing their larva swarms into danger is a part of their reproductive cycle. Brood keeper larvae do not grow while they live with their parent, and the adult is willing to but its offspring at risk. A larva swarm taking damage and potentially dispersing is the brood keeper’s means of ensuring that the next generation is strong. Brood keepers are carnivores, viewing all other living creatures as food. Hardy and powerful creatures, they fearlessly assault prey of any size, including dragons and giants. Few fi nd peaceable relations with a brood keeper worthwhile due to their aggressive and foul-tempered nature, but some have found them useful as potent guardians for small items by placing the objects inside the brood keeper’s carapace pockets. A brood keeper averages 30 feet in length and weighs some 12 tons. Although intelligent enough to know a language, brood keepers do not speak and do not understand a language unless one is taught to them.
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