Sewer Shambler

A relative of the mound that can occur from lightning strikes in the swamps, the sewer shambler can arise when a living plant rootstock of some kind is hit with one or more mind blasts in a cavern, dungon, sewer or similar setting. Though lacking anything like an intelligent brain, the sewer shambler has a rudimentary sentience and can wield a powerful psionic attack based on its significant strength. Unlike the true shambling mound, this creature is not reinvigorated by lightning, but rather by psionic attacks of any kind.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Essentially a living rootstock mimicking a higher nervous system, surrounded by the rotting organic debris it is currently processing for energy. This may be significantly flesh and/or myconid-based rather than mostly leaves and mulch like its swamp-dwelling parent species, and two of them never look alike other than piles of slow-moving rotting material with a mind of their own.

Genetics and Reproduction

It is not known if the sewer shambler can actually reproduce itself, and if so whether the breed runs true or if it produces a standard shambling mound. Generally these creatures arise under the correct conditions, rather than spawning in any conventional sense.

Growth Rate & Stages

unknown but evidently quite rapid. The rootstem is not terribly large, perhaps 3 foot in length, but the tendrils from the stem may accrete a very large form around the rootstem of 6 to 9 feet high and a similar width and depth, though vaguely arranged around 3 or more 'legs' for movement and engulfing additional prey. Unlike the shambling mound which has a rough but fixed 'head' with 'arms' and 'legs' this version moves in a more freeflowing way on psuedopods that may form and reform easily, perhaps because the rotten material tends to be more dense rather than a pile of mulch and leaves.

Ecology and Habitats

These creatures arise in the underdark, dungeons, and in their namesake sewers, but the temperature and moisture levels seem to be irrelevant; exposure of a certain amount of plant material to enough psionic energy will create the being, which then lives on its absorbed nutrients and any additional psionic power it can siphon from its nearby surroundings.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Blindsight within 60' but blind beyond that range.

Origin/Ancestry

Hybrid of the shambling mound species

Sewer Shambler

Large plant, unaligned

Armor Class 15

Hit Points 16d10+48

Speed 20ft Swim: 20ft

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STR

18 +4

DEX

8 -1

CON

16 +3

INT

5 -3

WIS

10 0

CHA

5 -3

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Skills Stealth +2

Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning

Damage Immunities Psychic Damage, Psionic effects

Condition Immunities blinded, deafened, exhaustion

Senses Blindsight 60' (Blind beyond this distance) Passive Perception 10

Challenge 5

Psionics - Str (Psychokinetics) Drain Vigor: 3d8 psychic damage + unconsious, Str save DC18, PPP = 19, defense vs unconscious effects Adv on roll and +3 as long as PPP remains

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Actions

Multiattack. The shambling mound makes three slam attacks. If 2+ attacks hit a Medium or smaller target, the target is grappled (escape DC 14), and the shambling mound uses its Engulf on it on the following round.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 2d8+4 bludgeoning damage.
Engulf. The sewer shambler engulfs a Medium or smaller creature grappled by it. The engulfed target is blinded, restrained, and unable to breathe (suffocation rules, 1 min + CON bonus in rounds, then death saves which auto fail until able to breathe again), and it must succeed on a DC 14 CON save at the start of each of the shambler's turns or take 13 2d8+4 bludgeoning damage. If the shambler moves, the engulfed target moves with it. The shambler can have only one creature engulfed at a time.

A more rare variety of the Shambling Mound, the sewer shambler is created from and healed by psionics rather than lightning, and is formed from underdark rather than swamp detritus. It is resistant to heat, cold, and lightning as per its parent species, but it also exhibits a simplistic but brutally effective psionic attack in addition to its indiscriminate drive to engulf and consume organic material of any sort, from a pair of discarded shoes to a Drow Queen. In combat with any given party it is attracted to whichever member is the biggest, rather than the most or least dangerous. The sort of creature that is likely favored by Niphonel, not so much actively violent as passively deadly.
Psionics Absorption: Whenever the shambler is subjected to psychic or psionic damage, it takes no damage and regains a number of hit points equal to the psychic/psionic damage dealt.

underdark