Monster Dossier

Drakauthix

Drakauthix DRAKAUTHIX SPORELINGS When a new drakauthix bursts forth from a spore-infested corpse, it has no true way of defending itself. However, a spo...

Level 9

Traits

nhugefungus

Rules & statistics

Monster Profile

Perception

17

Senses

  • Name
    darkvision
  • Type
    imprecise
    Name
    sporesight
    Range
    60

Skills

Acrobatics
15
Athletics
20
Stealth
17

Ability Mods

Str
7
Dex
2
Con
6
Int
-4
Wis
2
Cha
0

Defenses

Ac
25
Saving Throws
Fort
21
Ref
13
Will
15
Hp
  • Hp
    190
Weaknesses
  • Amount
    10
    Name
    fire
  • Amount
    10
    Name
    slashing

Speed

Fly
20

Attacks

  • Range
    Melee
    Name
    tentacle
    Attack
    20
    Traits
    • reach
    Effects
    • Improved Grab
    Damage
    3d8+9 piercing plus Improved Grab
    Types
    • piercing

Abilities

Top
  • Entries
    • The drakauthix exudes a cloud of spores that it uses to see. This is an imprecise sense that functions only in areas without strong wind currents. Sporesight does not function underwater.
    Name
    Sporesight
Mid
  • Entries
    • Whenever the drakauthix takes at least 10 slashing damage, it releases a cloud of brown spores that has the effect of obscuring mist for 1 minute, centered around the drakauthix. This cloud of spores does not move with the drakauthix, nor is it displaced by its movement.
    Name
    Obscuring Spores
Bot
  • Activity
    Number
    1
    Unit
    action
    Entries
    • The drakauthix pulls all creatures it has grabbed 15 feet closer to itself.
    Name
    Reel In
  • Activity
    Number
    1
    Unit
    action
    Entries
    • The tendrils that cover the drakauthix's body reach out and infest adjacent creatures, dealing 4d6 poison damage and 1d6 persistent damage||persistent poison damage. A creature can attempt a basic 27 Reflex save to reduce this damage, but one grabbed by the drakauthix takes a –4 circumstance penalty to this save.
    Name
    Spore Tendrils
  • Activity
    Number
    2
    Unit
    action
    Entries
    • ]The drakauthix whirls, whipping creatures around it. The drakauthix makes a tentacle Strike against every creature within its reach.
    Name
    Whirlwind of Hooks

Background

Lore

Drakauthix

DRAKAUTHIX SPORELINGS

When a new drakauthix bursts forth from a spore-infested corpse, it has no true way of defending itself. However, a sporeling does not need to hunt until it grows much larger. Each sporeling harvests enough material from the body it emerged from to grow to its full size over a few short days. After it has done so, the drakauthix detaches from the cave ceiling and, starving, immediately seeks out its first meal in the cavern below.

The drakauthix is a massive fungus that floats through the heights of the largest Veimaikhik caverns, propelled by bladders that spray air and spores. A voracious but slow-moving hunter, the drakauthix prefers to ambush meaty creatures from above, using its hooked appendages to pull its victims upward to feed. The drakauthix's digestive process is entirely external—it clings to victims, and its spore-laden surface slowly feeds on and grows through the flesh before the spore-infested carcass is discarded. As the infested body strikes the ground below, it bursts and releases a cloud of spores, unleashing a host of young called sporelings that immediately scuttle up the cavern walls to cling to its ceiling and grow.

The drakauthix behaves no more intelligently than most predatory animals, and often uses a sort of symbiotic scavenger method to secure prey by capitalizing on the hunting methods of oozes and vermin found in the large cave systems it frequents. When a relatively mindless creature kills a victim, the drakauthix drifts down, hooks the freshly slain carcass with its tendrils, and reels in its meal. The mindless ooze or other creature that just had its food stolen rarely holds a grudge and simply slithers off to find a new quarry, letting the drakauthix digest the corpse in peace. Of course, the drakauthix isn't above feasting on more active prey as well, and might attack an adventurer who neglects to look upward for danger when exploring a network of mysterious caves.

Some Veimaikhik-dwelling creatures, such as duergars, hunt drakauthixes for their flesh, which has a unique flavor with a peppery aftertaste. Subterranean races also make ink from drakauthixes by burning their carcasses, then grinding and pressing the ashes for a long time until a silvery substance congeals.