Crimson Roots. The Crimson Plague Cyst is rooted in place and thus constantly restrained. It cannot move but can still take actions.
Infectious Growth. When an infected creature dies, a new cyst forms within seconds. The newly formed cyst uses the remains as nutrients, spreading a fleshy mass in a 5-foot radius around the corpse. This new cyst has half the hit points of a normal crimson cyst and can mature into a full crimson cyst after 24 hours. After 72 hours the Crimson Cyst evolves into a Crimson Plague Cyst.
Spore Burst. When the Crimson Plague Cyst is reduced to 0 hit points, it releases a cloud of spores in a 15-foot radius. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. While poisoned in this way, the creature suffers 1d4 poison damage every turn. A poisoned creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If the creature is still poisened, each new bursts of any Crimson Entity will increase the DC Constitution saving throw by 1 (e.g, two cysts bursts and affect one creature. The second burst after the intitial will increase the DC by 1 making it 13)
(Note: If the Crimson Cyst is destroyed by fire damage, it will not release any spores)
Crimson Possession. The Crimson Plague Cyst is able to animate its dead host by connecting its fleshy roots with the nervous system of the body. This animated corpse will move and act with the stats of the creature it possesses and gains one more ability:
Crimson Breath (Recharge 5-6). As a bonus action the animated corpse can breath spores in a 10-foot cone in front of it. Any creature inside that cone must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. While poisoned this way, the creature will take 1d4 poison damage at the start of its turn. A poisoned creature can repeat its saving throw at the end of its turn, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a poisoned creature hit by Crimson Breath is hit again by the same ability or Spore Burst from any Crimson Entity, the DC Constitution saving throw will increase by 1.
Voluntary Burst. When a creature is within 15 feet of the cyst, it can use its action to make a Wisdom (Perception) check with a DC of 10. If it succeeds, it rapidly shakes and bursts open, reducing its hit points to 0, activating Spore Burst.
(Note: The Crimson Plague Cyst will not use this action as long as it controls a body)
Description
The Crimson Plague Cyst is a grotesque aberration of increased sized, diffrent to its earlier stage. It feeds on the corpse of a deceased creatures, regardless of its size and is able to control the body of its dead host, using it to hunt during the night.
Scholars debate the origin of the infection responsible for its growth, though many suspect a type of fungi. The cyst thrives by consuming the remains, rapidly spreading a fleshy mass around the body.
Upon the death of an infected creature, a new cyst emerges almost instantaneously. These cysts, while initially small, can grow over time, potentially evolving into a more dangerous form known as a Crimson Plague Cyst.
It can be found in damp environments within caves and urban locations, infecting various creatures and spreading rapidly.
A historical document recounts the destruction of a villag that was burned to the ground after an infection spread from a nearby cave. According to the document, fleshy humanoid creatures roamed the village before it was set ablaze. Scholars have been unable to verify this account, as no similar creatures have been reported since.
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