Carrion Claw

This insect-like horror has six large, spear-like legs and a poison bite. It crawls about on hundreds of legs, using its six spears to impale victims which it then bites. It resembles a centipede. Its body is covered with tiny hair-like barbs that allow this creature to grapple a man sized or smaller opponent.

Carrion Claw (CR 6)

Large Magical Beast
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Initiative: +6
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision; Perception +6

Speed: 40 feet, Climb 40 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 14, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +3 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 51 (6d10+12 plus 6)
Saving Throws: Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +3
Weaknesses: light sensitivity, vulnerability to magical light

Offense

Melee: 6 claws +10 (1d6+4 plus Grab), bite +9 (1d3+4 plus Paralysis)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: hatred of elves (+1 to hit and damage), Paralysis (1d4 hours, DC 15)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
18 (+4)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	4 (-3)	12 (+1)	11 (+0)

Base Attack Bonus: +6
CMB +11 (+15 Grapple)
CMD 23 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Improved Initiative, Toughness, Weapon Focus (claw)

Skills: Climb +17, Perception +6, Stealth +11

• Racial Modifiers: +8 Stealth

Languages:

Special Qualities: superior climbing

Special Abilities

Superior Climbing (Ex)

A carrion claw need not make Climb checks to traverse a vertical or horizontal surface (even upside down). It retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It cannot, however, use the run action while climbing.

Vulnerable to Magical Light (Ex)

A carrion claw that is the target of a spell with the light descriptor must succeed on a Will save or be dazed for 1 round. The Will save DC is equal to 10 + the spell level + the caster's key ability.

Ecology

Environment: Underground or Temperate Forest
Organization: solitary, gang (2-5) or fist (5-30)
Treasure: incidental


Carrion claws have a preferential taste for elf flesh, and seek to attack and eat elves before other opponents. It does not like halfling flesh, and kills but does not devour halflings. The creature can climb any surface, even hanging upside down from the ceiling if desired. The carrion claw is terrified of and hates magical light.

Carrion claws hunt in packs, with one claw feigning injury on a floor, while the rest of its pack circle prey along the walls and ceiling to drop and attack with surprise. Carrion claws are used by drow to hunt down elves frequenting their underground lairs. Forward posts of the dark elves usually have up to a dozen carrion claws used for shock troops against elven incursions.

Credit Original author John Bentley Webb Originally appearing in Rappan Athuk (© Frog God Games/ John Bentley Webb, 2012)