Shapechanger. The mimic can use its action to polymorph into any type of coin it has previously seen or back into its true, amorphous form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
False Appearance (Coin Form Only). While the mimic remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary coin.
Amorphous (True Form Only). The mimic can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
Coin Consumption. The mimic does not require food or drink. If within 5 feet of any amount of coins, once per day (preferably at dawn) the mimic will consume 2 (1d4) coins of the type that is the most common in this amount of coins. The mimic will not consume any coins if it is aware of being observed by another creature that is not a mimic. If the mimic goes three consecutive days without feeding this way, it dies.
Mitosis. Every ten coins of any value the mimic has consumed, it will create another coin mimic the next day (preferably at dawn), instead of consuming more coins. Doing so takes as long as an action. It will not use this feature if it is aware of being observed by another creature that is not a mimic. A coin mimic will not consume any coins the same day it was created.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage plus 2 (1d4) acid damage.
Description
Coin mimics are a subspecies of the common mimic. While physically by far not as imposing or dangerous, they can deal considerable damage to local economy and any adventurer's savings.
Imitative Scavengers. In contrast to the common mimic, coin mimics do not use their shapechanging abilities to lure in prey, but instead to hide from humanoids, taking the form of the very coins they feast on.
Since coin mimics can only reproduce if they are surrounded by sufficient amounts of coin to feast on, they often keep close to larger settlements with thriving markets. The constant exchange of currency in such places ensures that the coin mimics are able to pass on from one coin purse to another, avoiding the danger of running out of food due to overpopulation.
Coin mimic infestations are great dangers to banks and treasuries, since they exponentially multiply if given enough coins to feast on, and easily spread through deposits and withdrawals. A coin mimic infestation in a wealthy area has to be identified and eliminated as quickly as possible. Otherwise it can cause massive damage to the local economy, simply by the mimics consuming all available coin and then subsequently dying of starvation, leaving the people with no money and only decaying amorphous slime overnight.
Hesitant Attackers. Coin mimics are generally not harmful and attempt to escape instead of attacking if they are discovered. However in extremely rare cases, large population of coin mimics have been reported to suddenly turn aggressive once the local stock of coins has been depleted. In this case they will begin attacking people in numbers of hundreds to thousands, turning unprepared settlements into bloodbaths within a matter of hours. It is not known what causes this rapid change in behaviour, in most reported cases they simply starve without showing signs of aggression.
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