Mimic

What appeared to be a chest filled with treasure comes to life as it grows long, glistening tentacles and a number of sharp teeth.

Medium monstrosity (shapechanger), neutral

Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 58 (9d8 + 18)
Speed 15 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
17 (+3)	12 (+1)	15 (+2)	5 (-3)	13 (+1)	8 (-1)

Skills Stealth +5
Damage Immunities acid
Condition Immunities prone
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages —
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Special Traits

• Shapechanger: The mimic can use its action to polymorph into an object or back into its true, amorphous form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
• Adhesive (Object Form Only): The mimic adheres to anything that touches it. A Huge or smaller creature adhered to the mimic is also grappled by it (escape DC 13). Ability checks made to escape this grapple have disadvantage.
• False Appearance (Object Form Only): While the mimic remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary object.
• Grappler: The mimic has advantage on attack rolls against any creature grappled by it.

Actions

• Pseudopod: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the mimic is in object form, the target is subjected to its Adhesive trait.
• Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) acid damage.

About

Source Fifty Magnificently Murderous Mimics © 2019 WizCo Games, LLC.

Mimics are shapeshifting predators able to take on the form of inanimate objects to lure creatures to their doom. In dungeons, these cunning creatures most often take the form of doors and chests, having learned that such forms attract a steady stream of prey.

Imitative Predators. Mimics can alter their outward texture to resemble wood, stone, and other basic materials, and they have evolved to assume the appearance of objects that other creatures are likely to come into contact with. A mimic in its altered form is nearly unrecognizable until potential prey blunders into its reach, whereupon the monster sprouts pseudopods and attacks.

When it changes shape, a mimic excretes an adhesive that helps it seize prey and weapons that touch it. The adhesive is absorbed when the mimic assumes its amorphous form and on parts the mimic uses to move itself.

Cunning Hunters. Mimics live and hunt alone, though they occasionally share their feeding grounds with other creatures. Although most mimics have only predatory intelligence, a rare few evolve greater cunning and the ability to carry on simple conversations in Common or Undercommon. Such mimics might allow safe passage through their domains or provide useful information in exchange for food.

Environments: Underdark, Urban

Creating a Mimic

Source TCR:FF

The following steps must be used to create a mimic:

1. The creator must learn the creation process by reading a book or learning from a teacher; this requires a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check and takes a week of study. The creation process can also be improvised, but the DC is then 25 and the time required one month.

2. The creator must gather 500 gp worth of components and let them soak for one month.

3. Optional step: the creator makes a wand of command mimic tuned to the mimic, which requires 500 gp and a week’s work.

4. After a month of soaking, the spellcaster expends a 4th-level spell slot, providing the energy needed to bring the mimic to life.

Mimics do not need food, attacking intruders simply by predatory instinct. However, they do have an appetite for magic, readily devouring what spellcasters and magic items their master allows them to consume. When they have collected enough magical energy, they can reproduce by mitosis.

Example Mimics

Bookcase

This ornate antique oak bookcase is lined with numerous books seemingly hundreds of years old. The top row has a couple spaces empty along with a larger space in the bottom row, seemingly allowing the bookshelf to grin.

Size: Small, medium, or large mimic

Use: This bookcase mimic waits until someone attempts to take a book from it before it attacks.

Brush

This silver and black hairbrush looks as though it would fetch quite a bit of coin.

Size: Tiny mimic

Use: A tiny mimic that waits until it is used or held to grapple and bit its prey.

Special Trait Hair Tangle – if the hairbrush mimic is used on the hair, it automatically grapples its opponent and deals (7) 2d6 acid damage.

Canopic Jar

This tiny, cream-colored, semi-translucent jar has an animal-shaped head for a lid and appears to have contents of dubious origin within.

Size: Tiny or small mimic

Use: Often used in conjunction with other tiny or small mimics, the canopic jar mimic awaits inspection, or a creature foolish enough to pick it up for closer observation, adhering and ensuring the creature cannot use its hand once so grafted.

Carpet

A brilliant red and yellow woven carpet dominates the floor in this room.

Size: medium to huge mimic

Use: This mimic easily hides within any urban estate or lair, sometimes even as a long hall carpet. No furniture rests upon it, and when characters tread halfway across it, the mimic curls up, attacking the unaware characters.

Chair

This unassuming wooden chair looks like many other such chairs you have seen in your lifetime.

Size: Medium mimic

Use: This mimic either destroys an existing chair, taking its place, or it works along with another clutch of mimics impersonating a table and set of chairs. Often, food or other goods are placed atop to lure hungry travelers.

Chamber Pot

A ceramic pot lies closed on the floor near the bed. An odd odor exuding from it confirms its intended use.

Size: Small mimic

Use: The chamber pot mimic enjoys luring its victims after long nights of debauchery, oddly not quite where the owner remembers there chamber pot being.

Church Bell

A cracked and patinated bronze bell hangs from rusted chains. A knotted rope hangs from within the bell.

Size: Medium or large mimic

Use: The mimic poses as a large church bell, or even a mysterious bell in some forgotten ruin. The mimic can engulf those below or use its tongue (the rope) to grab and hang an unwitting character.

Coffin

There on the floor is a pinewood box – likely a coffin, judging by the size. It is closed and appears to be nailed shut.

Size: Medium mimic

Use: The coffin mimic lies singularly in places where the dead might lie, and sometimes in a herd of more than one coffin box. When the mimic reveals itself, the nails form the creature’s wicked grin.

Column

Four swirling marble pillars stand near each of the four corners of this room.

Size: Medium to large mimic

Use: The marble columns stand tall in a chamber room, often in the dark. These mimics often work in pairs or clutches of four. They strike in conjunction, adhering to their targets and keeping them separate.

Crate

A square, pine box sits in the corner of the room. It appears to be nailed shut. The smell of fruit grows stronger the closer you are to it.

Size: Small or medium mimic

Use: The crate appears to be filled with any type of object the mimic believes would be here and valuable to those who view it. When the crate lid is opened, the mimic strikes.

Dead End

The corridor ends abruptly however, you feel a breeze coming from just beyond this wall.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: The dead-end mimic waits in a dungeon, basement or other hall, pretending to be a secret door. A Perception DC 12 check gives the viewer the distinct impression something is off about this wall.

Derelict Ship

The bosun spotted a large ship roughly half an hour ago. Now you are close enough you can clearly see it is a ghost ship and abandoned.

Size: Huge or gargantuan mimic

Use: This “ghost ship” is merely incognito, and when those foolish enough to explore are on board, the great mimic begins to take its true form and attack.

Desk

An old, mahogany roll-top desk is positioned against the wall here. The hood is down and it has four drawers.

Size: Medium to large mimic

Use: This desk lurks unassumingly in plain sight, until the moment is perfect to strike.

Dilapidated Tower

An ancient crumbling tower sits forebodingly on a lonely hill.

Size: Gargantuan mimic

Use: This massive mimic is actually a functioning tower. The creature maintains its shape in trade for a constant meal.

Doorknob

A crystal doorknob is attached to a great baroque door.

Size: Tiny mimic

Use: This mimic strikes when the handle is touched.

Special Trait Venomous Mimic – When the doorknob is touched with a bare hand, the creature takes (15) 5d6 poison damage and must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The poisoned creature is paralyzed. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Garderobe

Here in this section of the tower, you find what looks to be pit toilet. There is nothing else in the room.

Size: Medium or large mimic

Use: The pit is more than a repository for refuse, it is a mimic that rises up out of the pit taking passing characters by surprise.

Grimoire

A large tome with hundreds of yellowed pages lies open on the table.

Size: Tiny or small mimic

Use: This grimoire lies opened, inviting characters to investigate it’s tiny script. When a character seeks to browse, it snaps shut upon their hand, enjoying the snack.

Gravestone

Strange, alien writing is inscribed upon this squat, semi-rectangular headstone.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: A clutch of mimics can line a field or inhabit an actual grave seeking unaware travelers.

Hay Bale

A large, rectangular bale of hay secured with iron baling wire sits near the roadway. You notice what appears to be a scrap of clothing stuck amid the hay.

Size: Medium mimic

Use: The bale of hay mimic lures curious onlookers with the scrap of clothing (which may even belong to a previous adventurer).

Keg

A beer keg with no label sits up-right near the back of the room. A mallet and spigot rest on top of the keg.

Size: Small or medium mimic

Use: The mimic (or several) lie within an abandoned villain’s lair (such as goblins, bandits, etc.), awaiting those who will come exploring for the wealth they have left behind.

Mirror

A small folding compact sits open; a mirror flashes in the light of your torches.

Size: Tiny mimic

Use: This tiny mimic simply waits for unfortunates to grasp it.

Mysterious Asteroid

One of the crew members noticed a rather large asteroid a few hours ago – which would not normally be unusual were it not for the fact it appears to be following your ship.

Size: Gargantuan mimic

Use: The gargantuan mimic has taken the form of an asteroid, and when within range of a ship, begins pummeling the hull, seeking juicy morsels within.

Necklace

This beautiful piece of jewelry emits a soft white glow, almost imperceptible in the light.

Size: Tiny mimic

Use: When a character picks up the necklace, it begins to constrict the limb (or neck) of its target.

Special Trait Mimic’s Noose. Once donned, the mimic begins to strangle its victim. It automatically succeeds at a grapple check, dealing (9) 3d6 slashing damage and (6) 2d6 acid damage.

Parchment

There is a note on the table with a hastily scribbled note written upon it.

Size: Tiny mimic

Use: The sheets of parchment might be a clutch of tiny mimics or a singular mimic hiding among other sheets of yellowed paper.

Painting

A very poorly done painting hangs on the wall nearby. It appears as though it may have been painted by a child.

Size: Small or medium mimic

Use: The painting is bizarrely abstract, and when investigated, its twisted image opens its maw and attacks.

Pile of Coins

Inside this otherwise empty room is a pile of gold coins.

Size: Medium mimic or swarm

Use: The mimic (or swarm) simply waits for the greedy to be lured by the vision of wealth, then strikes. Some clever wizards breed these mimics to guard their hoard.

Pouch

You find a wallet lying on the road. It has red marbled veins running through the black leather.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: The leather pouch appears to contain some coins, and when those curious of its contents approach, the mewling mimic growls hungrily.

Special Trait Friendly Mimic – As long as the creature is fed tidbits of meat, it will also store items inside of it the size of a medium humanoid fist.

Rope

As you approach the cavern wall, you find a sturdy-looking rope running up the wall and disappearing over the edge above.

Size: Small mimic

Use: The rope is the mimic’s tongue and it falls upon its victim after they have started climbing and are in the air at least 30 feet.

Sack

You find a bag nearly full of coins, gems, and other fine items.

Size: small or medium mimic (or mimic swarm)

Use: The bag might be a small mimic itself, or the lair of a mimic swarm! They attack when a creature reaches in to count the loot.

Sarcophagus

In the middle of the room, a large, ornate sarcophagus rests. On its heavy golden lid is the pictograph of a regal humanoid shape.

Size: Small or medium mimic

Use: The sarcophagus mimic quickly snaps down on or grabs those who attempt to pry it open, hungrily devouring them.

Shelf

Above a desk there is a shelf that contains a few books, a humanoid skull, and several gems atop it.

Size: Medium mimic

Use: The shelf mimic serves as a spy, but sometimes it grows hungry and attacks passersby.

Shield

An ornate shield, complete with a checkered coat of arms adorns is leaning or hanging on the wall.

Size: Tiny or small mimic

Use: This shield bears some investigation.

When characters choose to inspect the shield, the eyes open from within the squares on the shield and its pseudopods rise from the rear to attack.

Spoon

Inexplicably, you find a large silvered soup spoon amid the treasure.

Size: Tiny mimic

Use: This mimic does not attack its victim until it is used to eat with.

Stagecoach

You see an unattended and unhitched stagecoach. Its fresh coat of red paint gives the appearance it has been well-maintained.

Size: Huge mimic

Use: Parked alongside a rarely used road or trail, this red coach seems completely out of place, it’s inhabitants oddly missing. It’s door swings in the wind, begging for someone to peer inside…

Stone Well

A hand-carved well sits nearby. The visible, circular portion of the well is made of stone and mortar. A bucket and rope sits atop it.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: The mimic simulates a stone well atop a deep pit or actual well. Its tongue laps down into the water, mimicking a bucket. When a creature leans on the well they become stuck and the mimic can either attack, or push their target into the well for a later snack.

Stone Floor

The normal floor abruptly changes from bare stone to a black and white marble checkerboard. Nothing is in this room.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: This mimic simply takes the form of the floor, impersonating a pattern it had seen before and had success with. When creatures set foot in the room, the massive mimic curls up the “floor” limiting escape and likely adhering those walking on it.

Stool

A three-legged stool made of dark wood and rich velvet sits around a table or near an alcove.

Size: Small mimic

Use: The small mimic awaits those who seek respite atop its cushioned seat.

Suit of Plate Armor

Standing along the wall is a shining suit of sturdy plate armor. It appears to be in impeccable condition.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: This suit of armor sits against a wall, a prized possession. Characters who inspect it will find it easy to open and don. Once partially worn however, the mimic strikes.

Table

There is a large, wooden table nearby. It would seat perhaps (6 for medium; 10 for large) humanoids. There appear to be no chairs

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: The table mimic when striking stands on one set of legs and attacks with the others, its mouth revealed from the underside.

Throne

A large throne with a fluted, golden back stands against the wall. Its soft, velvety, red pillows are un-crushed and clean.

Size: Large mimic

Use: This grand throne takes its place in a villain’s lair or in an abandoned keep, awaiting the foolhardy to examine its magic or take their rightful place upon it.

Toy

A tiny wooden toy soldier lies on the ground, its sword and shield raised as if trying to get your attention.

Size: Tiny mimic

Use: A handful of toy soldier mimics lying around in an urban home or dais would bear investigation. Of course, when the objects are handled, they have a surprising bite.

Trap Door

A trap door in the middle of the room is propped open revealing a pit below. Something sparkles nearly 10’ down in the pit.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: The trap door mimic maintains its ruse for some time before closing on its prey and attacking.

Tree

As you approach the entrance to the cave, you see a tree within a few feet of it that has a hangman’s noose hanging from it, gently swaying in the breeze.

Size: Huge mimic

Use: While the characters are suspiciously eyeing the hangman’s noose, the mimic uses another limb to begin strangling an unsuspecting character.

Vase

A rare-looking jade green vase with red roses painted upon it sits in a place of importance upon a shelf.

Size: Tiny or medium mimic

Use: The vase seems just out of reach, luring those curious enough to look into it and discover its contents. Unfortunately for the viewer’s eyes, it contains a mouth.

Vaulted Ceiling

This high ceiling is made of crumbling plaster and loose stone.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: This mimic takes the form of the ceiling above it, and only the canny familiar observer will realize the change in depth. This mimic attempts to drop on its prey, smothering and crushing them.

Weapons on a Wall

A pair of crossed axes (or other weapons) are mounted to the wall across the room on a wooden board with peeling red paint.

Size: Large or huge mimic

Use: The weapons appear to be of fine quality, despite the aged look of the wood. When anyone grasps the weapons to take them off the wall the mimic adheres to them and strikes.

Woodstove

The woodstove in the corner has a detached chimney and its door is slightly ajar.

Size: Medium mimic

Use: This mimic enjoys taking residence in cabins, the inhabitants having mysteriously vanished.