Scale Worm

Long ago, when the Sa'ar Desert was fertile, these worms were much smaller and less hardy. As the climate changed, they have grown in size and become much more dangerous to survive the new environment.
The head of a scale worm is equipped with a large gemstone that they use for navigation. Depending on the size of the worm, the gem might be worth anything from 50 to 800 gold pieces. The rest of their bodies might well contain even more valuables - which is one reason there are a few people who go out hunting these creatures. Most of these would-be hunters are ripped apart by the rows of teeth in the worm's mouth.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The worms accumulate layer after layer of interlocking pieces of stone skin, which is how they got their name. While some of it might crumble with time or be damaged, they never shed it naturally, and so very old scale worms have extremely heavy shells around them. The head of the worm opens up with rows upon rows of teeth that are sharp enough to work like a spinning drill to make it possible for the creature to move around underground. These teeth are also its primary weapon for defence and attack.

Ecology and Habitats

The scale worm lives under the sands and uppermost layers of stone in the desert, where they eat stone itself as well as any residue of living materials that has made its way down there.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The primary way for these creatures to perceive their surroundings is via the large crystal in their head acting like a sonar, sending out pulses for them to understand.

Lifespan

100 years

Average Length

4 m

Scale Worm, Youngling

Medium monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 11 (natural armor)

Hit Points 56 (5d8+36) 5d8+36

Speed 10ft Burrow: 25ft

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STR

15 +2

DEX

10 0

CON

16 +3

INT

5 -3

WIS

10 0

CHA

10 0

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Senses Tremorsense 30 feet, blnd, passive Perception 10.

Languages -

Challenge 2

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Actions

Attack from Below. The worm burrows and moves up to half of its movement and then makes a Bite attack with advantage against a target. This replaces both its movement and action.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 1d20+4 to hit, range 5 feet, one target; Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) 1d10+2 piercing damage.
Tongue. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit 1d20+2 , range 5 feet, one target; Hit: 2 (1d4) 1d4 bludgeoning damage and the target is grappled (DC 12 to break free).
Ripping Drill. The worm spins its rows of teeth as when drilling. Someone grappled by its tongue must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 20 (2d10+10) 2d10+10 slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Scale Worm, Adult

Large monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 70 (9d10 + 36) 9d10+36

Speed 10ft Burrow: 30ft

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STR

18 +4

DEX

10 0

CON

19 +4

INT

5 -3

WIS

10 0

CHA

10 0

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Saving Throws Strength +7

Senses Tremorsense 30 feet, Blind, passive Perception 10.

Languages -

Challenge 5

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Actions

Attack from Below. The worm burrows and moves up to half of its movement and then makes a Bite attack with advantage against a target, followed by a regular Bite attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 1d20+7 to hit, range 5 feet, one target; Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) 1d12+4 piercing damage.
Tongue. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 5 feet, one target; Hit: 1 (1d4) 1d4 bludgeoning damage and the target is grappled (DC 17 to break free).
Ripping Drill. The worm spins its rows of teeth as when drilling. Someone grappled by its tongue must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 45 (4d10+20) 4d10+20 slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.