Ixodious (5e Creature)

Ixodious

Small monstrosity, any alignment Armor Class 15 (natural armor) Hit Points 40 (9d6 + 9) Speed 30 ft., climb 15 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 9 (-1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 6 (-2) 11 (+0) 8 (-1) Skills Medicine +3 Damage Vulnerabilities fire Damage Immunities poison Condition Immunities poisoned Senses blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 10 Languages Arthropoid Challenge 2 (450 XP) Salivary Glands. The ixodious' salivary glands are isolated chemically and biologically from the rest of it. Whenever it would be affected by a poison or disease, makes a successful bite attack against a target containing a poison or disease, or otherwise has an opportunity to ingest a suitable material, it can choose to store a sample of it in its salivary glands; these can store up to two samples, which may be from different sources. When the ixodious makes a successful bite attack against a creature, it can choose to inject one of these samples, expending it and affecting the creature as though it had been exposed to the substance as normal. By default, the ixodious produces a paralyzing neurotoxin, which is assumed to fill unused sample spaces. Creatures injected with this poison must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution save or become poisoned. Creatures poisoned this way are paralyzed. They can remake this save at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on themselves on a success. Spider Climb. The ixodious can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. ACTIONS Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (3d6 + 2) piercing damage. Saliva Glue (Recharge 5-6). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is restrained by glue. As an action, the restrained target can make a DC 13 Strength check, bursting the glue on a success. The glue can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 5; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).

Art by Jonathan Wojcik These creature are the result of the unnatural fusion between a human and a tick. This sanguivorous monster can detect a blood-filled meal from afar with the chemosensitive Haller's organs in its forelimbs, quietly stalking its victim or setting up a clever surprise attack; the ixodious is a patient, intelligent and highly observant creature, often waiting until prey is distracted, asleep or otherwise off guard to attack from behind. It particularly favors ambush tactics, flattening itself out to hide in the undergrowth of humid jungle, the dust of sun-baked wasteland or between the damp mattresses of a brothel. Drilling its chitinous fingers and saw-like mouth parts into the host flesh, a glue-like salivary secretion makes the bond impossible to break without significant tissue damage to the surrounding area. Additional compounds deliver a concentrated neurotoxin, seizing the helpless victim with paralysis as the ixodious gorges itself on blood. In addition to its incapacitating venom, the salivary glands of the ixodious are isolated from its immune system and can carry foreign materials for prolonged periods at no risk to the creature itself. An offensively-oriented ixodious may be in possession of almost any manner of pathogenic weaponry or even arm itself with new biohazardous agents in the field, transferring infections from one adversary to the next. Occasionally, ixodious may be used as field medics, loaded with regenerative potions, healing salves, or chemical stimulants.

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