DIGESTER
These creatures stand five feet tall upon
two powerful hind legs equipped with
dagger-like claws. Their oblong heads
are supported by a long neck which
connects to a bulbous gray and brown
body.
Ravenous Hunters. Digesters are almost always hungry.
In order to satiate this hunger they hunt in small groups
until a suitable prey is found. Once the creatures have
found their target, the digesters will spray the creature
with acid from the tube-like orifice on their head. If the
acid isn’t enough to fully take down the opposing creature,
the digesters will close in and use their razor-sharp claws
to finish the job, as well as another spray of acid once they
have built up enough to properly coat the target. Once
the battle is over, the digester will use its acid to
completely break down the body of their target until all
that remains is an acidic slime. Then the creature is free
to lap up the remains with its long tongue and mouth
flanges.
Nomadic Creatures. Digesters are almost always on the
Move. When they do need to stop for rest, it is usually
only for a short time until the creature’s energy is restored.
They very seldom make dens or nests, instead, taking a
nomadic approach to life. The only exception to this is
during mating season where a mated pair of digesters
will stick to one location and use it as a sort of training
ground for their young. It is during this time that young
digesters learn the hunting tactics of their parents and
ultimately how to fend for themselves, for once they are
mature enough to catch their own food there is no
guarantee the family will remain together.
Moment of Reprise. On the rare occasion that a
digester finds itself completely full, perhaps after a large
meal, they take this time to truly rest. When the need for
food is not present, they lay low in temporary lairs and
do their best to avoid other creatures. Once the need for
food inevitably returns, the digester will venture back
out into the wilderness on the hunt.
Peculiar Mounts. Digesters typically only grow to a
medium size, however, there are tales of some
enterprising ranchers who have sought to utilize the
creatures stamina, speed, and offensive abilities as mounts.
Through selective breeding and exemplary animal
husbandry, in some cases the creatures can grow to be
much larger and thus able to facilitate a rider. Training
the creatures proves a whole new challenge, but the
effort is worth the final result; a loyal mount capable of
spewing acid and leaping great distances at high speeds.
For the seller, this of course means a tremendous amount of gold pieces.
Digester
Medium monstrosity, neutral
Armor Class - 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points - 75 (10d8 + 45)
Speed - 50 ft.
STR 18 (+4)
DEX 16 (+3)
CON 17 (+3)
INT 2 (-4)
WIS 12 (+1)
CHA 10 (+0)
Damage Immunities acid
Condition Immunities none
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages -
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Traits
Acid Sacks.
The digester contains its acid in a large membrane within its body. If the
creature is killed by piercing or slashing damage, the acid sack ruptures and all
creatures within 10 feet of the digester take 9 (2d8) acid damage, or half as
much on a successful DC 15 Dexterity saving throw.
Actions
Multiattack.
The digester makes two claw attacks.
Claw.
Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Acid Spray (Recharge 6).
The digester unleashes a torrent of acid in a 30 foot cone which deals 22 (5d8)
acid damage to everything in the area, or half as much on a successful DC 15
Dexterity saving throw. The digester can also choose to use this ability to target
a single creature within 10 feet. If it targets only a single creature, the damage
is increased to 40 (9d8) acid damage.