Infection. If a creature was wounded during a fight with the Cordycep Mind Taker and survived, it must succeed in a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it has 2d6 + their Constitution modifier days, to find a cure. On the last day, their Hit Points drop to zero, and it changes into the Cordycep Mind Taker.
Natural Camouflage. Whenever the Cordycep Mind Taker is not moving it blends into its surroundings. All Perception checks to see it while it hides have disadvantage.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the Cordycep Mind Taker to 0 Hit Points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is fire, radiant, or from a critical hit. On a success, the creature drops to 1 Hit Point instead.
Infested Body. Whenever any creature attacks the Cordycep Mind Taker with a melee attack, the fungus spores scatter around. A creature that hits it must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.
Multiattack. The Cordycep Mind Taker makes two attacks with its Slam and one with its Foul Bite.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Foul Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft., one target.
Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) necrotic damage.
Enter the description for how bonus actions work for your monster here.
Sneak Attack. At the beginning of the fight, if the Cordycep Mind Taker is not spotted by any creature, it makes a Foul Bite attack with advantage before anyone starts their turns. This action doesn't count toward the limit of attacks during a turn.
Description
Slow but deadly. Devoid of its humanity, it endlessly wanders the swamps in search of prey. This form is a later stage of infection by a deadly fungus. It was first spotted near Frothloch in Kallonia, but reports of sightings in other places are slowly rising.
The creature prefers the damp areas abundant in decaying plant matter and waterlogged terrain as they provide ample humidity and a decaying environment perfect for hiding.
It has the appearance of a twisted, decaying, humanoid being. Or to be more precise, one could call it a grotesque fusion of decayed flesh and a thriving fungal infection. Its body, once possibly human or perhaps elven, now seems like a wretched mockery of its former self. The entire body is fully overtaken by fungal growths, which erupt from the corpse's skin, creating images akin to feverish nightmares. The limbs are contorted into unnatural angles, and the creature seems to drag them more than properly use them. Most Cordycep Mind Takers have no eyes, but if they do, they are clouded, milky white, devoid of any semblance of intellect.
Cordycep Mind Takers possess an uncanny ability to enter a slumber whenever there is no visible prey in sight. At such a times, they blend into the surroundings, becoming nearly invisible in the marshlands near Kallonia. Sometimes, the last thing a person sees is the milky white eyes glowing with an otherworldly malevolence as a Cordycep wakes up to immediately launch the attack. Though maybe the most unnerving aspect is the strange clicking sound Mind Takers emit whenever they try to locate their prey. It is similar to clattering sticks or unnaturally big insects, though some dwarves told me it reminded them of rusted machinery.
A fight with a Cordycep Mind Taker usually begins with an ambush. If the victim survives the attack, in the prolonged battle this creature is not particularly fast, but it possesses surprising strength and resilience. It moves with a bizarre, twitching gait, making it unpredictable and challenging to anticipate. It doesn't care about protecting itself and just continues its relentless attacks, driven by the fungal entity's insatiable hunger for more hosts.
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