Day Six -- Brimlak, the acid wyrms

Day Six of 30 Monsters in 30 Days.

Brimlak
# encountered: 1 (solitary)
% in Lair: 50%
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90' (30')
Armor Class: 3
Hit Dice: 5
Attacks: 1 (bite), plus special
Damage: 1d8
Save: F5
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: XXI
XP: 200


Distantly related to dragons, brimlaks are 20' long, serpent-like creatures with scales shimmering in blues, reds and greens. Their scales excude a strong acid -- powerful enough to gradually dissolve stone given enough time, although it has no effect on metals. They are solitary creatures, lairing in mountainous and hilly terrain, with their exuded acid gradually enlarging and shaping their lairs and the surrounding landscape.

Brimlaks attack with a single bite; if it hits the victim must make a Save v. Paralysis to avoid being encircled by the serpentine coils of the brimlak. If a target is encircled they suffer 2d6 points of damage per round of squeezing damage, plus an additional 1d6 points of acid damage. Any organic material the target is wearing -- leather or hide armor, robes, etc. -- must Save v. Breath each round or be damaged by the acid. Armor loses one "plus" for every failed save; magical objects automatically gain a +2 bonus to save, plus any intrinsic bonuses (an elven cloak saves with a +2 bonus while a suit of leather armor +2 saves with a +4 bonus). Any gems, scrolls, or other treasure made of organic material will gradually be dissolved by their acidic excretions.

The creatures have inherited the longevity of their draconic kin, often living for several centuries. Roll 1d6-1. For every additional century add 1 HD, reduce their AC by 1, increase their damage by +1 and impose a -1 penalty to the save to avoid being constricted. Brimlaks are roughly as intelligent as an average human and will use their surroundings to their advantage when hunting. They rarely attack when outnumbered, preferring to wait until one or two individuals seperate from a larger group.

Lair Encounter

An old brimlak (three centuries old) lairs in a system of caves alongside a mountain pass, preying on the occasional shepherd or wanderer that comes this way. It has 8 HD, 30 hp and an AC of 0. Its bite inflicts 1d8+3 points of damage, and anyone bitten suffers a -3 penalty to their save to avoid being constricted. If failing, the target suffers 2d6+3 of constriction damage, plus 1d6+3 points of acid damage. Over the years the terrain surrounding its lair has been worn smooth by its excretions, and there is no vegetable matter within 400 yards.

The brimlak's lair is a maze-like warren of tunnels entered through a cliff-face near the pass. In the center of the maze is a pile of coins it has collected over the years: 5,000 cp, 2,000 ep and 3,000 gp. There's also a set of leather armor that once possessed a +1 enchantment, but is now tattered and worthless.