Infestation. Creatures killed while infested with Corpse Churner Worms rise 10 minutes later as an infested variant. Currently this feature only works for the following infested variants (Use the Spawn of Kyuss stat block from Volo's guide to monsters for humanoids):
Infested Cow
Latch On. The worm throws itself at a living creature in a tile adjacent to itself. The worm latches onto the targets skin unless the creature succeeds on a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw. While on the target's skin, the worm can be killed by normal means or scraped off using an action. Otherwise, the worm burrows under the targets skin at the end of the target's next turn, dealing 1 piercing damage to it. At the end of each of its turns thereafter, the target takes 7 (2d6) necrotic damage per worm infesting it (maximum 10d6). A worm-infested target dies if it drops to 0 hit points, then rises 10 minutes later as an infested variant. If a worm-infested creature is targeted by an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all worms infesting it wither away.
Description
Epidemic of Worms. Mizzix is an Alhoon acolyte that serves under the leadership of an undead god, and seeks his masters approval and pride in his work. He plundered corpses from mass graves and around the Illithid colonies that betrayed him in life to nurture and breed the perfect specimen. With creation of the Corpse Churner Worms and the independent Icketin broods that grew from them, this festering epidemic continues to spread long after his death.
Soul Traps. Without proper investigation, a creature infested by Corpse Churner Worms appears to be a regular undead until it moves to attack. An attacking infested creature reveals the nature behind its animation as the worms will actively protrude from the body in the direction of living creatures. A worm that penetrates the body makes its way to the creatures heart and vital organs before moving on to the creatures brain. Once inside, the worms kill its host and infests it with enough worms to replace the hosts musculature system and give it full control of the body. The dead creature's soul remains trapped inside the body, preventing it from being raised or resurrected until the undead body is destroyed. Originally when Mizzix was still in control, this was their primary source of souls they would use to offer to their master. Now the souls linger within their bodies, driving them mad with the constant sounds of burrowing worms.
Consumption of Life. The worms and all creatures made from them are derived from Mizzix's intent to capture and control the living within their own bodies. However, without their original master to control them, the creatures only live to spread their influence and create more worms. Unless controlled by an Icketin brood, the infested creatures wander aimlessly with the soul intent to create more worms. Whether they are solitary or clustered, the worms reproduce exponentially if left uncontrolled.
Dev notes: Inspired by the Spawn of Kyuss monster from Volo's Guide to Monsters, the Corpse Churner Worm behaves similarly, but its origins and variety are quite different. I wanted to create a roster of "infested" creatures to further expand on the idea of a hive mind centered, undead infestation. A growing plague of infested undead creatures with varying new abilities and applications to any DM's game world.
Previous Versions
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2/24/2022 9:07:07 PM
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5
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1
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1
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Coming Soon
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2/26/2022 6:40:58 PM
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7
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1
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1.1
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Coming Soon
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