Muckslug

Family: Golite

Huge fiend (golite), unaligned

Armor Class 7 (natural armor)
Hit Points 138 (12d12 + 60)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	3 (-4)	20 (+5)	1 (-5)	10 (+0)	1 (-5)

Damage Resistances bludgeoning
Damage Immunities acid, psychic
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages –
Proficiency Bonus +4
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Amorphous. The muckslug can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing. Salt Osmosis. Whenever the muckslug 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 muckslug 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).
• Slug Slime. The muckslug takes up its entire space. Other creatures can enter the space, but a creature that does so is subjected to the muckslug’s Engulf and has disadvantage on the saving throw. Creatures inside the muckslug can be seen but have total cover. A creature within 5 feet of the muckslug can take an action to pull a creature or object out of the muckslug. Doing so requires a successful DC 17 Strength check, and the creature making the attempt takes 10 (3d6) acid damage. The muckslug can hold two Large creatures or up to eight Medium or smaller creatures inside it at a time.
• Spider Climb. The muckslug can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
• Transparent. Even when the muckslug is in plain sight, it takes a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check to spot a muckslug that has neither moved nor attacked. A creature that tries to enter the muckslug’s space while unaware of the muckslug is surprised by the muckslug.

ACTIONS

• Tongue. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 15 ft., one creature. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) plus 9 (2d8) acid damage. Engulf. The muckslug moves up to its speed. While doing so, it can enter Large or smaller creatures’ spaces. Whenever the muckslug enters a creature’s space, the creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw. On a successful save, the creature can choose to be pushed 5 feet back or to the side of the muckslug. A creature that chooses not to be pushed suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw. On a failed save, the muckslug enters the creature’s space, and the creature takes 10 (3d6) acid damage and is engulfed. The engulfed creature can’t breathe, is restrained, and takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the start of each of the muckslug’s turns. When the muckslug moves, the engulfed creature moves with it. An engulfed creature can try to escape by taking an action to make a DC 17 Strength check. On a success, the creature escapes and enters a space of its choice within 5 feet of the muckslug. A creature that dies from this damage rises as a slugtongue at the end of the mucklug’s next turn.
• Spit Slime (Recharge 5-6). The muckslug spits acid in a 30-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 8 Dexterity saving throw, taking 45 (10d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the creature fails it save, it is also restrained until the end of its next turn.

ABOUT

This enormous, slow-moving slug has a human-like skull with two eyes protruding from its sockets and rudimentary arms it uses to pull itself along. Several humanoids flail about helplessly in its transparent body.

Muckslugs are the alpha predators of Golos. They feed on the slow-moving muckstuck that Cerberus discards, hoovering up anything that moves. Humanoids do not die within a muckslug, but become infected with its eggs, which converts them into slugtongues.

Much of the work performed by Cerberus’ infernal hierarchy is dedicated to grabbing souls before they are consumed by muckslugs. They are a constant problem that seems to arise spontaneously from the circle’s slime. Slugtongues are humanoids who die inside a muckslug’s body and are driven mad by their continued undead existence. Their tongues become slugs, and they have but one purpose: to spit that slug into another creature’s mouth, thereby spreading their infection to others.