Purple Worm

Gargantuan beast

Armor Class: 6
Hit Dice: 15 (average 52 hp)
Movement: 60 ft (burrowing)
Attacks: 1 bite (2d6) + 1 tail sting (1d8 + poison)
Morale: 12 (no morale checks)
Alignment: Neutral
XP: 1,500

Description

The Purple Worm is a titanic subterranean creature, 10 feet in diameter and up to 100 feet long. It burrows through solid rock and devours everything in its path. It has no eyes, sensing prey by vibration and smell.

Special Abilities

Swallow Whole: On any attack roll of 20 (or the minimum to hit +5 or more over the target number), the Purple Worm swallows its target whole. A swallowed creature takes 1d12 damage per round from digestive acids. A swallowed creature may attack from inside with a small weapon at −4 to hit; dealing 6 or more points in a single round causes the worm to regurgitate.

Tail Sting: The rear end of a Purple Worm ends in a venomous sting. A creature hit by the tail must save vs. poison or die.

No Morale Checks: The Purple Worm is a mindless eating machine. It never checks morale.

Burrowing: Purple Worms burrow through earth and rock, leaving behind tunnels 10 feet in diameter.

Tactics / Encounter / Notes

Purple Worms are encountered underground, often breaking through dungeon walls or rising through the floor. They attack by biting and stinging simultaneously. Their approach may be detected by ground tremors or rumbling. Flight is generally the wiser option.

25% chance the encounter is at their lair (a large underground cavern).

Treasure

Purple Worm lairs contain Type D treasure — the indigestible remains of previous meals.