Tunneler. The Cavern Crawler Matriarch can burrow through solid rock at half its burrow speed and leaves a 15-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake.
Hatchling Release. Once the Cavern Crawler Matriarch is killed, 1 Cavern Crawler and 3 hatchlings in various stages of development emerge from the Matriarch's mouth.
Multiattack. The Cavern Crawler Matriarch makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Surprise Attack. If the Cavern Crawler Matriarch burrows at least 25 feet as part of its movement, it can then use this action to resurface in a space that contains another creature of an equal or lesser size. Each of those creatures must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone and take 24 (4d8 + 6) slashing damage. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage, isn't knocked prone, and moves 10 feet out of the Cavern Crawler Matriarch's space into an unoccupied space of the creature's choice. If no unoccupied space is within range, this attack proceeds as normal. If the targeted creature is larger than the Cavern Crawler Matriarch, the creature is completely unaffected, and the Cavern Crawler Matriarch takes 6 bludgeoning damage and must move 15 feet out of the creature's space.
Piercing Shriek. The Cavern Crawler Matriarch lets out an ear-piercing shriek, alerting all Cavern Crawlers within a 50 foot radius to protect the Cavern Crawler Matriarch. This shriek permeates through rock, and thus also alerts any Cavern Crawlers that are underground.
The Cavern Crawler Matriarch can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Cavern Crawler Matriarch regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The Cavern Crawler Matriarch makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Surprise Attack. The Cavern Crawler Matriarch makes one Surprise Attack.
Mineral Spray (Costs 2 Actions). From its mouth, the Cavern Crawler Matriarch expels a burst of various rocks and minerals in a 30 foot cone. Each creature within the cone must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking no damage on a successful save. On a failed save, the creature takes 31 (6d10 + 1) bludgeoning damage minus the creature's current distance from the Cavern Crawler Matriarch (ex. A target that is 10 feet away from the Cavern Crawler Matriarch would take 6d10 + 1 - 10 damage from this attack).
Description
A massive, 30-legged variant of the Cavern Crawler. Has four sharp claws, barbed mandibles, and a carapace as hard as stone. Only moves when its nest is disturbed.
Biology
The Cavern Crawler Matriarch feeds on minerals delivered by its swarm, and will produce a Cavern Crawler egg every 3 days. A Cavern Crawler egg will hatch into a Crawler Hatchling after a week; both the egg and the hatchling are a size of Tiny. Hatchlings are born weak, helpless, and without the use of their eyes and legs. Thus, all hatchlings are stored safely in the Cavern Crawler Matriarch's mouth, where they will consume a portion of the minerals fed to the Matriarch. It takes 12-15 days for a hatchling to fully develop into a Cavern Crawler. On very rare occasions, a Matriarch egg will be produced instead of a regular one. This egg is a size of Small, and takes 2 weeks to hatch into a Matriarch Hatchling (also size of Small). A Matriarch Hatchling is roughly equivalent in development to a regular Crawler, and takes a month to develop into a full Matriarch. Once fully grown, the new Matriarch will leave the swarm, along with a portion of the Cavern Crawlers, where they will create a new nest.
Lair and Lair Actions
Cavern Crawler Matriarchs build their lairs in massive, underground areas usually created by the Cavern Crawler Matriarch itself. A Cavern Crawler Matriarch spends most of its existence completely stationary, only moving if the nest is disturbed or becomes too small.
A Cavern Crawler nest contains 27 (3d10 + 10) Cavern Crawlers.
Lair Actions
When fighting inside its lair, a Cavern Crawler Matriarch can utilize its environment to take lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Cavern Crawler Matriarch takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects:
- The Cavern Crawler Matriarch burrows into the ground, making its way to the ceiling. It scuttles around in the lair's ceiling, causing 4 (1d4 + 2) stalactites anywhere in the lair to fall to the ground.
- The Cavern Crawler Matriarch stirs up a cloud of dust that envelops an area equal to a 20 foot radius around the Matriarch. All creatures within the dust cloud, including the Matriarch and Crawlers, are blinded.
Regional Effects
A Cavern Crawler Matriarch’s nest is warped by itself and its swarm, which creates one or more of the following effects:
- Cavern Crawlers have burrowed a large number of tunnels into the walls and floor, and will continue to do this so long as the Matriarch is alive.
- Creatures on the surface can hear the Crawlers shrieking deep underground.
- Soil in the area surrounding the nest is noticeably less nutrient-rich due to the lack of minerals.
If the Cavern Crawler Matriarch dies, the last two effects fade over the course of 6 (3d3) days.
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