Monster I’d Like to Fight: Corpsekelp

Corpse-Animating Carnivorous Kelp

Habitat: Underwater; Treasure: Implements

Corpsekelp refers to a variety of carnivorous saltwater plants related to common seaweeds and seagrasses. These plants can resemble a forest of long, brown kelp strands with flat foliage and air-filled bulbs, or they might appear as patches of vibrant green seagrass. Corpsekelp feeds on animal tissue it contacts directly, stretching and shifting its fronds to reach nearby sources of food. When a full corpse settles close enough, the corpsekelp consumes the flesh and begins to grow through the remains, animating the body and granting the corpsekelp enhanced mobility.

Once a corpsekelp animates a creature, it relies on ambushing nearby prey. Motionless, it blends in with surrounding plant life, making it difficult to detect. When a creature draws near, the corpsekelp lashes out, trying to ensnare its prey while its tendrils embed in the creatures skin and begin feeding.

Most corpsekelp are too small to animate creatures larger than Medium size, favoring bodies that can easily capture prey. However, there are tales of ancient corpsekelp capable of animating much larger corpses or even multiple bodies simultaneously. Roll on or choose a result from the Animated Corpse table below to inspire the appearance of a creature animated by corpsekelp.

Animated Corpse

1d12	The Corpsekelp Has Animated A …
1	Drow with waist-long white hair.
2	Dwarf with broken manacles on one hand.
3	Elf wearing a frayed wedding dress.
4	Gnoll missing part of its face.
5	Halfling wearing rusty armor.
6	Half-dragon adorned with medals on its rotted tunic.
7	Human wearing a metal mask.
8	Human with a spear protruding from its side.
9	Kobold with tattered wings.
10	Merfolk with a severed tail.
11	Orc with a dagger in its back.
12	Sahuagin with four arms.

Luring Corpsekelp

Luring corpsekelp produce small, bioluminescent flowers that emit a rhythmic glow. When directed toward a nearby creature, these lights can create a soothing, inviting sensation that lures the victim closer to the corpsekelp. These rare flowers tend to bloom in empty eye sockets or open mouths of animated corpses.

Luring Corpsekelp

Small or Medium Plant, Unaligned

Armor Class 11

Hit Points 76 (9d8 + 36)

Speed 20 ft., Swim 20 ft.

Initiative -1 (9)

		MOD	SAVE
STR	16	+3	+3
INT	4	-3	-3

		MOD	SAVE
DEX	8	-1	-1
WIS	16	+3	+3

		MOD	SAVE
CON	18	+4	+6
CHA	4	-3	-3

Skills Perception +5

Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion

Senses Blindsight 60 ft. (can’t see beyond this radius), Passive Perception 15

Languages None

CR 3 (XP 700; PB +2)

Traits

False Appearance. If the corpsekelp is motionless at the start of combat, it has Advantage on its Initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the corpsekelp move or act, that creature must succeed on a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern that the corpsekelp is animate.

Actions

Multiattack. The corpsekelp makes two Slam attacks and uses Lure.

Slam. Melee Attack Roll: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) Bludgeoning damage, and if the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 13). Until this Grapple ends, the corpsekelp can’t use Slam against another target and the target takes 5 (2d4) Piercing damage at the start of each of its turns.

Lure. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 13, one creature the corpsekelp can see within 60 feet that can see the corpsekelp. Failure: The target uses its Reaction to move up to its Speed, avoiding danger, and moving as close as it can to the corpsekelp. Success: The target is immune to Lure for 24 hours.