Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 10
Hit Points 76 (9d8 + 36)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +4 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 11 (+0) | 18 (+4) | 5 (-3) | 7 (-2) | 3 (-4) |
Saving Throws Wis +1
Saving Throws (suggested) Con +7, Wis +1
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but can’t speak
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Regeneration. The spawn of Kyuss regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn’t in sunlight or a body of running water. If the spawn takes acid, fire, or radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of the spawn’s next turn. The spawn is destroyed only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.
Worms. If the spawn of Kyuss is targeted by an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all the worms infesting it wither away, and it loses its Burrowing Worm action.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The spawn of Kyuss makes two attacks with its claws and uses Burrowing Worm.
- Burrowing Worm. A worm launches from the spawn of Kyuss at one humanoid that the spawn can see within 10 feet of it. The worm latches onto the target’s skin unless the target succeeds on a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw. The worm is a Tiny undead with AC 6, 1 hit point, a 2 (-4) in every ability score, and a speed of 1 foot. While on the target’s skin, the worm can be killed by normal means or scraped off using an action (the spawn can use this action to launch a scraped-off worm at a humanoid it can see within 10 feet of the worm). Otherwise, the worm burrows under the target’s skin at the end of the target’s next turn, dealing 1 piercing damage to it. At the end of each of its turns thereafter, the target takes 7 (2d6) necrotic damage per worm infesting it (maximum of 10d6). A worm-infested target dies if it drops to 0 hit points, then rises 10 minutes later as a spawn of Kyuss. If a worm-infested creature is targeted by an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all the worms infesting it wither away.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic 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
The spawn of Kyuss is a horrific creation of a high priest of Orcus, a demon lord of undeath. Kyuss was a high priest of Orcus who plundered corpses from necropolises to create the first spawn of Kyuss. His dark rituals infused the corpses with worms that carry his essence. Even centuries after Kyuss’s death, his mad disciples continue performing the horrific rites he perfected and spread his plague of worms across the world.
A spawn of Kyuss looks like an ordinary zombie at first glance, but closer inspection reveals that its body is riddled with scores of little green worms that writhe and squirm under its skin. These worms are the source of the spawn’s power and curse, as they can infect other living creatures and turn them into spawn of Kyuss as well.
COMBAT
A spawn of Kyuss is a relentless and mindless foe that seeks to spread its infection to any humanoid it encounters. It attacks with its claws and uses its burrowing worm action to launch a worm at a nearby target. The worm latches onto the target’s skin unless the target dodges it or scrapes it off quickly. Otherwise, the worm burrows under the skin and causes necrotic damage to the host. A worm-infested creature dies if it drops to 0 hit points, then rises 10 minutes later as a spawn of Kyuss.
A spawn of Kyuss has remarkable regeneration abilities, as it can heal itself at the start of its turn unless it is exposed to sunlight, running water, or certain types of damage such as acid, fire, or radiant. If the spawn is targeted by an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all the worms infesting it wither away, and it loses its burrowing worm action.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Spawn of Kyuss are usually found in dark and desolate places, such as tombs, crypts, ruins, or dungeons. They often serve as guardians or minions for cults of Orcus or Kyuss, who use them to spread their evil influence and create more spawn. Spawn of Kyuss have no society or culture of their own, as they are driven by a single instinct: to infect and kill.
ECOLOGY
Spawn of Kyuss are expressions of Orcus’s intent to replace all life with undeath. They are a threat to any living creature they encounter, as they can potentially turn them into spawn as well. Spawn of Kyuss have no natural predators or allies, as they are hated and feared by most other creatures. They are also immune to poison and resistant to cold damage.