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Purple Worm ~ CR 12

This enormous worm is covered with dark purple plates of chitinous armor. Its giant, tooth-filled mouth is the size of an ox.

Environment: Any underground

Organization: 1


Proficiency Score: +13

Gargantuan; True Neutral; Animal, Mystical, Vermin


Armor Class: 29 (-2 Dex, +12 Natural, -4 Size, +13 Proficiency Score)

Hit Points: 210 (14d10+70)

Speed: Land 20 feet, Swim 10 feet, Burrow 20 feet

Initiative: -2


STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
22 (+6)6 (-2)20 (+5)1 (-5)8 (-1)8 (-1)

Saves: 

  • Fortitude +18
  • Reflex -2
  • Will -1

Skills: 

  • Athletics +19
  • Perception +12

Senses: Passive Perception: 22; Dark Vision 60 feet, Temor Sense 60 feet

Languages: None


Legendary Action (1). A Purple Worm can use one extra action per round. This action can be spent at any point in the round directly after a creature’s turn ends and another begins.

Poison (Sting). Any creature struck by a Purple Worm’s listed Strikes is exposed to its poison.

  • Save: Fortitude DC 28
  • Onset: Immediate
  • Frequency: 1 round
  • Duration: 6 rounds
  • Counteract: 3

Stage 1. 3d6 poison damage and Enfeebled 2.

Stage 2. 4d6 poison damage and Enfeebled 2.

Stage 3. 6d6 poison damage and Enfeebled 3.

Actions

Bite. Melee Strike +19/+14/+9 (fatal d10, reach 15 feet, unarmed, versatile piercing) with 3d8+6 bludgeoning damage plus Grabbed Condition (DC 28)

Sting. Melee Strike +19/+14/+9 (unarmed) with 2d6 piercing damage and poison.

Swallow Whole (Bite). As a Single Action, a Purple Worm can attempt to swallow a creature that is at least one size smaller which it has currently Grabbed with the listed Strike. This is an Athletics check against the target’s Passive Athletics. If it succeeds, it swallows the target, inflicting listed Strike’s damage in the process. Each round after being swallowed, the target automatically takes 6d8 acid damage. The swallowed target is considered to still have the Grabbed condition, while the Purple Worm is no longer considered to have a creature Grabbed. A swallowed target can try to cut its way free with any weapon that is 1 bulk or less and deals slashing or piercing damage or can try to escape the Grabbed condition with double disadvantage like trying to climb back out. The Purple Worm’s stomach has AC 14 and 23 damage is required to cut an escape out of its stomach. If a swallowed target cuts its way out, the Purple Worm cannot use Swallow Whole for two rounds. If a swallowed target escapes through overcoming the Grabbed condition, it is treated as being back in the Purple Worm’s mouth where it must spend an action jumping out or it will be in danger of another Bite attack and being Swallowed Whole again.