Alpluachra

Tiny monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 21 (6d4 + 6)
Speed 10 ft., swim 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
6 (-2)	14 (+2)	13 (+1)	2 (-4)	11 (+0)	10 (+0)

Skills Perception +2, Stealth +4
Senses passive Perception 12
Languages –
Proficiency Bonus +2
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Amphibious. The alpluachra can breathe air and water.
• Invisible in Water. The alpluachra is invisible while fully immersed in water.
• Salt Osmosis. Whenever the alpluachra starts its turn in contact with a pound or more of salt, it takes 1d4 necrotic damage. Using an action to sprinkle a pound of salt on the alpluachra deals 1d4 necrotic damage to it immediately and another 1d4 necrotic damage to it at the start of its next turn (after which the salt rubs off). A creature that is under the effects of Stomach Thief and eats heavy-salted food, or just salt, causes the same damage to the alpluachra inside it.

ACTIONS

• Sleep Gaze. The alpluachra gazes at one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target succumbs to a magical slumber, falling unconscious for 10 minutes or until someone uses an action to shake the target awake. A creature that successfully saves against the effect is immune to this alpluachra’s gaze for the next 24 hours. Undead and creatures immune to being charmed aren’t affected by it.
• Stomach Thief. The alpluachra initiates a Constitution contest with an incapacitated humanoid within 5 feet of it that isn’t protected by protection from evil and good. If it wins the contest, the alpluachra magically teleports into the target’s stomach. While inside a creature, the alpluachra has total cover against attacks and other effects originating outside its host. The alpluachra eats all food the host eats, causing it to begin starving. A creature can go without food for a number of days equal to 3 + its Constitution modifier (minimum 1). At the end of each day beyond that limit, the creature automatically suffers one level of exhaustion. If the host body dies, the alpluachra must leave it. A protection from evil and good spell cast on the body drives the alpluachra out. By spending 5 feet of its movement, the alpluachra can voluntarily leave the body, teleporting to the nearest unoccupied space within 5 feet of it.

ABOUT

In its true form, the alpluachra appears as a small newt, an unassuming creature that carries out its secretive agenda.

The alpluachra’s (AHLP-lew-KRA) preferred habitat centers around springs and streams, drawn to the tranquil and watery locales where people seek respite. It lies in wait, invisible to the naked eye, ready to capitalize on the vulnerability of those who fall asleep in its domain.

Once a person succumbs to sleep by the side of a spring or stream, the alpluachra seizes its opportunity. It crawls down the slumbering individual’s mouth, merging its essence with theirs and latching onto the food consumed by its unwitting victim. Rather than consuming the food itself, the alpluachra feeds on the “pith” of the sustenance, extracting its essence and leaving behind only half of the nourishment.

The consequences of falling prey to an alpluachra’s feeding habits are significant. The person haunted by this fairy will struggle to grow fat or find sustenance fulfilling, as the essence of their food is consumed by the intermingled presence of the alpluachra. It is said that those who consume newts themselves may find themselves plagued by the alpluachra, their own actions serving as an invitation for the fairy to latch onto their essence.

To rid oneself of an alpluachra, the folklore suggests consuming a substantial amount of salted beef without drinking any fluids. Following this, one must lie by a flowing stream, mouth agape, and endure a patient wait. The alpluachra, driven to thirst by the salt-infused hunger it instills, will be compelled to jump into the stream to drink. Only then can one free themselves from the clutches of this enigmatic creature.