Moss Lurker

Small humanoid, chaotic neutral

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (10d6 + 10)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)

Saving Throws Str +4, Dex +4
Skills Perception +2, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Giant, Sylvan, Trollkin
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Forest Camouflage. A moss lurker has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in forested terrain.
  • Keen Hearing and Smell. The moss lurker has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
  • Poisoned Gifts. A moss lurker can spend 1 minute stirring one of its red claws in a drink or cooked meal, contaminating the food or drink. A creature that eats or drinks the contaminated food or drink must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. A creature that fails this saving throw by 5 or more is also unconscious while poisoned in this way. The creature wakes up if it takes damage or if another creature takes an action to shake it awake.

ACTIONS

  • Poisoned Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the end of its next turn.
  • Throw Stone. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage. If the target is at least 10 feet below the moss lurker, such as at the base of a cliff where the moss lurker stands, the target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or take 1d4 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet the rock fell before hitting the target, to a maximum of 10d4.

ABOUT

Somewhat like the cruel crossbreed of troll and gnome, this creature has a long, greenish beard and hair. Its hide is peaty amber, and a vaguely fungal scent surrounds it.

Like their trollish relatives, moss lurkers have large, often grotesque noses. Their claws are bright red when unsheathed, and their teeth tend toward the long and snaggly. They wear simple clothes of homespun wool or leather, or go naked in the summer. Their hats are sometimes festooned with toadstools or ferns as primitive camouflage.

Large rocks and Poisoned Gifts. Moss lurkers have a fondness for throwing large stones at enemies. Some stones even seem too large for the lurker to heft. They also enjoy poisoning food and drink then offering it to creatures lost in the forest.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Beasts 1 ©2023 Open Design LLC; Authors: Daniel Kahn, Jeff Lee, and Mike Welham.

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