Swarm of Rot Grubs

Actions

Bites: Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the swarm's space. Hit: The target is infested by 1d4 rot grubs. At the start of each of the target's turns, the target takes 1d6 piercing damage per rot grub infesting it. Applying fire to the bite wound before the end of the target's next turn deals 1 fire damage to the target and kills these rot grubs. After this time, these rot grubs are too far under the skin to be burned. If a target infested by rot grubs ends its turn with 0 hit points, it dies as the rot grubs burrow into its heart and kill it. Any effect that cures disease kills all rot grubs infesting the target.

Rot grubs are finger-sized maggots that eat living or dead flesh, although they can survive on plant matter. They infest corpses and piles of decaying matter and attack living things that disturb them. After burrowing into the flesh of a living creature, a rot grub instinctively chews its way toward the heart in order to kill its hosts.   Rot grubs pose a threat both singling and as a swarm. A single rot grub has no stat block. Any creature that comes into contact with it must make a DC 10 Desterity saving throw. On a failing save, the rot grub burrows into the creature's flesh and deals 3 1d6 piercing damage at the start of each of the host creature's turns. Applying fire to the wound before the end of the host creature's next turn deals 1 fire damage to the host and kills the infesting rot grub. After this time, the rot grub is too far under the host creature's skin to be burned. If a host infested by one or more rot grubs ends its turn with 0 hit points, it dies as the rot grubs burrow into its heart and kill it. Any effect that cures disease kills all rot grubs infesting the target. Burning a body kills any rot grubs infesting it.   A young rot grub swarm will continue to hunt for hosts to infest after killing and consuming an initial hosts. Later on, the rot grubs will begin to attack one another to get the most of the meal and then finally, once in a host with a small enough number of competitors and enough food in its belly, the rot grub will begin to undergo its metamorphosis into a stirge.

Rot grubs hone in on areas with death and decay. They are commonly found near graveyards and cemeteries. Some species of rot grubs do not go after live hosts and these creatures are sometimes cultivated by Stitchers and undertakers because they decompose bodies that could be resurrected through necromancy. Indeed, among necromancers, rot grubs are despised as leeches that destroy the hard, arcane work of dark magic. They enjoy moist, dark, and damp environments and are birthed by adult stirges. They avoid areas with open flames.