Megapedes are colossal centipedes which roam the sandy deserts of Athas. Megapedes are very similar to normal centipedes in all ways except in size. They have a very long (100 to 150 feet), segmented body which sports a pair of legs nearly every two feet. These legs are five feet in length and have flexible claws at their ends. The body of a megapede is covered with a fur-covered, bulbous skin which serves as a pseudo-exoskeleton.
The megapedes of Athas are, with the exceptions of the Dragon and Nightmare Beasts, the most dangerous feature of traveling across the deserts of this harsh world. Because of their sheer size, megapedes cannot normally hide their presence. Most, however, live beneath the sands of the desert, only surfacing to feed on unfortunate passers-by. Herds of erdlus and even kanks are among the favorite foods of megapedes, though they often survive on vegetation alone for weeks on end.
When a megapede is ready to lay eggs, it will find an isolated area, if possible in the rocky barrens of the Tablelands, and begin to make a cocoon in which to place its eggs. Up to three eggs can be placed within one cocoon, which often reaches near 60 feet in length. A cocoon will remain for four to five weeks before bearing young megapedes. At birth, a megapede is 20 to 30 feet long, growing to its full size within three months after birth.
While not especially protective of its cocoon, a megapede which has laid eggs will fight off any creature which threatens them, mostly out of instinct.
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Megapede
Gargantuan beast, unaligned
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 297 (17d20 + 119)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft.
Abilities Str 17 (+3), Dex 14 (+2), Con 24 (+7), Int 1 (-5), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 5 (-4)
Saving Throws Int +0, Wis +6, Cha +1
Skills Stealth +7
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, psychic, thunder
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages –
Challenge 19 (22,000 XP)
Chameleon Skin. The megapede has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide. This is a magical effect.
Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The megapede’s innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells requiring no components:
- At will: magic missile, shield
- 3/day: fireball
- 1/day: antipathy/sympathy, disintegrate
Regeneration. The megapede magically regains 30 hit points at the start of its turn. The megapede dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points.
Actions
Multiattack. The megapede makes six attacks: five with its claws and one with its bite.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d10 + 3) piercing damage. The target must make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) poison damage on a failed saving throw or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Legendary Actions
The megapede can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The megapede regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Psionics. The megapede uses one of its at-will innate spellcasting abilities.
Bite (Costs 2 Actions). The megapede makes a bite attack.
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Psionics: A New Book by DMDave
Towards the end of this month, this entry along with many others will be included in a new book titled Psionics. Patrons at all levels will have first access to this.
Art by Wizards of the Coast.