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DC 15: Swarmtongue worms are deceptivelylarge, as thick around a dwarf’s broad chest, andtwice as long. Swarmtongue hydras are not related totrue hydras but are so named for their two heads.DC 20: Swarmtongue hydras grow from swarmtongueworms, though not according to any fixedschedule.DC 25: Sages speculate that swarmtonguesresulted from an influx of Far Realm energy thatbathed the body of a deceased dragon and warpedthe parasites feasting upon the corpse. A few suggestthat the beasts are related to carrion crawlers.DC 30: Swarmtongues’ attacks cause little pain,allowing them to feast upon sleeping prey. Theyattack waking creatures only out of hunger or indefense of territory.Swarmtongue WormLevel 6 SkirmisherMedium aberrant beast (reptile) XP 250Initiative +7 Senses Perception +7HP 76; Bloodied 38AC 20; Fortitude 19, Reflex 17, Will 18Speed 8, burrow 4, climb 8m Tongue Lash (standard; at-will)Reach 2; +11 vs. AC; 3d4 + 3 damage.C Consuming Grubs (standard; encounter)Close blast 3; +9 vs. Reflex; 2d4 + 2 damage, and the targettakes ongoing 5 damage and is dazed (save ends both); see alsoenergy leech.Energy Leech ✦ see textIf a target hit by its consuming grubs has resistance to damage,the swarmtongue worm gains resist 5 against that type ofdamage and can transform the damage it deals from any attackinto damage of that type. (if the target has multiple resistances,choose one.)Analgesic SalivaDamage from the swarmtongue worm’s tongue lash andconsuming grubs attacks does not wake creatures that aresleeping or have been rendered unconscious by a sleep effect.Alignment Unaligned Languages —Skills Stealth +10Str 17 (+6) Dex 14 (+5) Wis 16 (+2)Con 20 (+8) Int 2 (–1) Cha 7 (+1)C Consuming Grubs (standard; usable twice per encounter)Close blast 4; +16 vs. Reflex; the target takes ongoing 10damage and is dazed (save ends both); see also energy leech.Energy Leech ✦ see textIf a target hit by its consuming grubs has resistance to damage,the swarmtongue hydra gains resist 10 against that type ofdamage and can transform the damage it deals from any attackinto damage of that type. (if the target has multiple resistances,choose one.)C Anesthetic Spray (standard; encounter) ✦ SleepClose blast 4; +16 vs. Fortitude; the target falls unconscious(save ends).Analgesic SalivaDamage from the swarmtongue hydra’s tongue lash andconsuming grubs attacks does not wake creatures that aresleeping or have been rendered unconscious by a sleep effect.Many-HeadedEach time the swarmtongue hydra becomes dazed or stunned,it instead loses one attack with its fi e r c el a s h i n g power on itsnext turn. Multiple such effects stack.Alignment Unaligned Languages —Skills Stealth +14Str 20 (+11) Dex 17 (+9) Wis 19 (+10)Con 23 (+12) Int 2 (+2) Cha 7 (+4)Swarmtongue Hydra TacticsThe swarmtongue hydra relies on its consuming grubspower, although its two lashing tongues are dangerousin their own right. It starts combat with a blast ofanesthetic spray to render foes unconscious, allowing itto consume them undisturbed.Encounter GroupsSwarmtongues rarely cooperate with other creatures.However, a few beings have learned to use the parasitesto their advantage, especially those who huntdragons.Level 13 Encounter (XP 4,000)✦ 1 swarmtongue hydra (level 13 elite skirmisher)✦ 4 drow warriors (level 11 lurker, MM 94)DRACONIC PARASITESwarmtongue Worm TacticsA swarmtongue worm begins a battle with consuminggrubs and then focuses on one of the creatures hit.Swarmtongue Hydra Level 13 Elite SkirmisherMedium aberrant beast (reptile) XP 1,600Initiative +11 Senses Perception +10HP 270; Bloodied 135AC 29; Fortitude 29, Reflex 26, Will 27Saving Throws +2Speed 8, burrow 4, climb 8Action Points 1m Tongue Lash (standard; at-will)Reach 3; +18 vs. AC; 4d4 + 5 damage.M Fierce Lashing (standard; at-will)The swarmtongue hydra makes three tongue lash attacks.JAMES ZHANGCHAPTER 4 | New Monsters213