Carrion Moth

This creature resembles a giant-sized moth with long, beautiful wings covered in rippling patterns resembling skulls. Its head is rather centipede-like and four long tentacles surround its mouth. Its mouth has a single pair of needle-like mandibles.

Carrion Moth (CR 5)

Large Aberration
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +4
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet; Perception +12

Speed: 30 feet, Climb 15 feet, Fly 60 feet (good)
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 20, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+4 Dex, +7 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 45 (7d8+14)
Saving Throws: Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8

Offense

Melee: bite +8 bite (2d8+3), 4 tentacles +3 (Paralysis)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: drone, Paralysis (2d6 rounds, DC 15)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
16 (+3)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	1 (-5)	16 (+3)	6 (-2)

Base Attack Bonus: +5
CMB +9
CMD 23

Feats: Combat Reflexes, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Finesse

Skills: Climb +11, Fly +4, Perception +12, Stealth +5

Languages:

Special Qualities: Stench

Special Abilities

Drone (Ex)

The flapping wings of a carrion moth emit a mind-numbing drone that affects all creatures within 80 feet that hear it. Affected creatures must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or become confused for 2d4 rounds. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected by the same carrion moth's drone attack for 24 hours. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Stench (Ex)

When a carrion moth dies, its carcass splits open and releases a foul-smelling gas. All living creatures (except other carrion moths) within 5 feet of the carcass must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1d4+1 rounds. A delay poison or neutralize poison spell removes the effect from the nauseated creature. This is a poison effect. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate Forests
Organization: solitary or swarm (2-12)
Treasure: standard or otherwise


The carrion moth is believed by sages to be an advanced form of a slime crawler. Just as the caterpillar grows into a moth, sages believe the mature slime crawler eventually sheds its form and transforms into the carrion moth. No cocoon or evidence has been found to support this theory, but it is widely accepted among the more learned sages of the world.

The carrion moth is a large moth-like creature growing to a maximum length of 20 feet. Its wings are lined with tiny holes and veins that allow the carrion moth to emit a whining drone that affects all creatures that hear it. Carrion moths are attracted to the stench of decaying flesh and the light of anything larger than a torch or lantern.

A carrion moth attacks by biting with its mandibles and slapping with its tentacles. Paralyzed creatures are carried off and devoured.

Copyright Notice Authors Casey Christofferson and Scott Greene.