Sweetipedes form tight-knit colonies that, at a distance, appear to be tasty piles of confectionary delights. But upon closer inspection you would notice the heap of treats is actually comprised of tiny jelly-like creatures with colorful “candies” embedded in their surfaces. Still, it’s hard to resist just picking one up and plopping it into your mouth.
Mutually Assured Deliciousness. Sweetipedes thrive on bacteria usually found in the gastrointestinal microbiomes of certain creatures that require such means to properly absorb nutrients from food. Not only do sweetipedes appear delectable, but they are also, in fact, pleasantly sweet to most of these creatures. Soon after consuming a sweetipede, however, the creature feels its effects as it ravenously eats their gut bacteria.
Candy Clash. Sweetipede colonies vary in flavor from colony to colony. They are also quite insular and can react violently if brought within close proximity of another colony. Both colonies would attempt to consume each other until just one stands, with the combined flavors of both colonies.
Alchemist’s Delight. With proper preparation and time you can use alchemist’s supplies to create a powerful confection from the sweetipede’s remains. As part of a long rest, if you have proficiency with alchemist’s supplies, you can combine the sweetipede remains and 50 gp in additional materials to create 1d4 special treats. As an action, a creature can consume the treat to gain temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus.
Swarm of Sweetipedes
Medium Swarm of Tiny Oozes, Unaligned
Armor Class 8
Hit Points 90 (12d8 + 36)
Speed 15 ft., climb 15 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 6 (-2) | 16 (+3) | 5 (-3) | 6 (-2) | 2 (-4) |
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned
Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 8
Languages –
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny sweetipede. The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
Sweet Tooth. When a creature enters an area within 5 feet of the swarm for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there it must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or use its reaction to eat a sweetipede from the swarm, dealing 14 (4d6) piercing damage to the swarm and 14 (4d6) poison damage to the creature. A creature can willingly fail this save. Creatures that do not need to eat are immune to this effect.
Actions
Lollipods. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 0 ft. one target in the swarm’s space. Hit: 37 (10d6 + 2) poison damage, or 19 (5d6 + 2) poison damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.
Bonus Actions
Sugar Rush. The swarm takes the Dash action. Until the end of its turn, whenever a creature within 5 feet of the swarm hits it with a melee attack, the attacker takes 10 (3d6) poison damage.
Hard Candy Shell. Until the start of its next turn, the swarm has half cover.
One thought on “Monster I’d Like to Fight: Swarm of Sweetipedes”