For those of you who’ve been following along with the blog, you probably noticed that I’ve been working on a mini-project with the amazing, awesome Bert Verwaest of Crosshead Studios on his Metalhead project. I absolutely love Bert’s vision and style, so I’m glad to help out with all the mechanical know-how to help bring this fantastic world to life.
Today, we’re bringing to life some of the nasty, low-level squishies of that world known as dregs.
What are dregs?
Dregs are creations made by Titans, who, like the Gods, have the ability to mold flesh into beings. However, Titans do not possess the ability to create life from nothing, so they use the discarded bodies of damned souls of the underworld to experiment with. Anything they create has to remain in the underworld; therefore, the soul that is trapped within a creation cannot return to the world of the living.
Dregs are the lowest form of Titan-made creation. In other words, dregs are things a Titan child could create. Created with leftover flesh and body parts, dregs are made to perform simple “manual labor.” Dregs have no known form of communication. But if you listen close enough, you can hear the tortured cries of the damned soul wailing from within these loathsome shells.
What is a dreg biter?
Biters are the lowest of the dreg, created to function as the dreg “garbage disposal.” Their entire face is a mouth complemented by muscles designed to make their bite as powerful as possible. Two powerful arms assist these dregs with their consumption, holding objects (and people) in place long enough for it to devour.
Dreg Biter
Medium monstrosity, neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)
Speed 10 ft.
Abilities Str 15 (+2), Dex 7 (-2), Con 14 (+2), Int 1 (-5), Wis 8 (-1), Cha 4 (-3)
Skills Athletics +4
Condition Immunities blinded
Senses blindsight 10 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 9
Languages –
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Aura of Weakness. Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the dreg must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or becomes weakened until the start of its next turn. A weakened target deals only half damage with weapon attacks that use Strength until the effect ends.
Death Burst. When the dreg dies, it explodes in a burst of released souls. Each creature within 5 feet of it must make a DC 12 saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, one target the biter is grappling, reach 5 ft. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, one target, reach 5 ft. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage, and if the target is a creature it is grappled (escape DC 14).
More to come!
Again, bit shoutout to Bert of Crosshead for this awesome monster concept. We’re working on a few more cool critters to complement this freaky creature, so stay on the lookout for that.
See you soon!
Art by Crosshead Studios.