Medium monstrosity (kruthik), unaligned
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12)
Speed 40 ft., burrow 20 ft., climb 40 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 15 (+2) | 7 (-2) | 12 (+1) | 8 (-1) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Dex +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Kruthik
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Keen Smell. The kruthik has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics. The kruthik has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the kruthik’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Tunneler. The kruthik can burrow through solid rock at half its burrowing speed and leaves a 5-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The kruthik makes two stab attacks or two spike attacks.
- Stab. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
- Spike. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
An Adult Kruthik is a medium-sized monstrosity that resembles a cross between a reptile and an insect. It has a chitinous exoskeleton that covers its body, which is segmented into a head, thorax, and abdomen. It has six legs, each ending in a sharp claw, and a long tail that can be used as a weapon. Its head has two large mandibles, two small eyes, and two antennae. It also has spiky protrusions on its legs that can be flung as projectiles.
Adult Kruthiks are usually brown, black, or gray in color, but some may have different patterns or markings to blend in with their surroundings. They are about 4 feet long and weigh about 150 pounds.
COMBAT
Adult Kruthiks are fierce and territorial predators that hunt in packs. They use their keen smell and tremorsense to locate prey, and then attack with their claws, mandibles, and tail. They also have the ability to hurl their leg spikes at enemies that are beyond their reach. These spikes are coated with a venom that causes intense pain and inflammation.
Adult Kruthiks are very agile and can move quickly on the ground, burrow through solid rock, and climb on walls and ceilings. They use their pack tactics to gain advantage on their attacks, and coordinate their movements with their hive mates. They are loyal to their hive lord, a larger and smarter kruthik that can spray acid from its mouth.
Adult Kruthiks are not very intelligent, but they have a rudimentary language that consists of clicks, hisses, and screeches. They can communicate with other kruthiks within 120 feet. They are also very sensitive to vibrations, and can be startled or distracted by loud noises or tremors.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Adult Kruthiks live in underground hives that they dig out with their claws and teeth. They prefer warm and dry environments, such as deserts, mountains, or wastelands. They also avoid areas with strong sunlight or cold temperatures.
Adult Kruthiks are social creatures that form a complex hierarchy within their hive. The hive lord is the leader and the most powerful kruthik in the hive. It controls the other kruthiks through pheromones and commands. The hive lord is usually male, but sometimes a female kruthik can become the hive lord if it is stronger or smarter than the male.
Below the hive lord are the adult kruthiks, which are divided into three castes: warriors, workers, and breeders. Warriors are the most numerous and aggressive kruthiks, which protect the hive and hunt for food. Workers are the smallest and weakest kruthiks, which maintain the hive and care for the eggs and hatchlings. Breeders are the female kruthiks that mate with the hive lord and lay eggs.
The lowest rank in the hive are the young kruthiks, which are tiny and harmless hatchlings that stay near the nest until they grow into adults. They feed on scraps of food brought by the workers or regurgitated by the adults.
Adult Kruthiks are very loyal to their hive and will defend it from any intruders or threats. They also compete with other hives for resources and territory, and sometimes raid or attack them. Adult Kruthiks rarely interact with other creatures, unless they are prey or enemies.
ECOLOGY
Adult Kruthiks are carnivorous creatures that feed on any meat they can find. They prefer fresh kills, but will also scavenge corpses or carrion if necessary. They hunt in packs, using their speed and numbers to overwhelm their prey. They can eat almost anything, from animals to plants to fungi to metal.
Adult Kruthiks have a high metabolism and need to eat frequently to sustain themselves. They also need to drink water regularly to avoid dehydration. It takes six months of steady eating for a young kruthik to reach adult size. The natural life span of an adult kruthik is about seven years .
Adult Kruthiks reproduce sexually by mating with the hive lord. The female kruthiks lay eggs in clusters of 10 to 20 in a hidden chamber within the hive. The eggs hatch within a month, producing young kruthiks that grow into adults in six months.
Adult Kruthiks have few natural predators, as they are well-adapted to their environment and have formidable defenses. However, they may fall prey to larger or more intelligent creatures, such as dragons, beholders, or mind flayers. They may also be hunted by adventurers, explorers, or treasure seekers who seek to plunder their hives or eradicate them as pests.