CHAPTER 9
THE WORM THAT WALKS
Spell Focus (necromancy), Spell Penetration, Tomb-Tainted possessed prior to discorporating. In the round when he SoulLM, Weapon Finesse, Willing DeformityB uses this ability, the worms fall to the ground, filling his space. Unless each worm is destroyed within 1 round, Skills Bluff +15, Concentration +24 (+28 casting defensively), the writhing worms burrow into the earth or slither away. Decipher Script +13, Diplomacy +5 (+7 against evil creaAs long as any component vermin survives, Edwin can, tures), Disable Device +8, Disguise +3 (+5 acting), Escape within 24 hours, breed and create a new body to house Artist +14, Heal +17, Hide +16, Intimidate +8 (+10 against his malicious essence. evil creatures), Knowledge (arcana) +26, Knowledge (hisFrightful Presence (Su) Edwin inspires terror whenever he tory) +17, Knowledge (the planes) +13, Knowledge (religion) uses his worm-smite ability. All creatures witnessing the +26, Listen +14, Move Silently +14, Search +25, Spellcraft attack must succeed on a DC 20 Will save or become +28, Survival +14 (+16 on other planes, +16 following tracks) shaken, remaining so as long as they remain within 60 Possessions combat gear plus ring of protection +3, amulet of feet of Edwin. A creature saving against the frightful presnatural armor +3, bracers of armor +6, cloak of resistance ence cannot be affected by Edwin’s frightful presence for +2, gloves of Dexterity +2, mask of Intellect +6, 2 pinches 24 hours. of diamond dust (50 gp) for nondetection, 2 flasks of unSkills Edwin has a +10 racial bonus on Escape Artist, Hide, holy water for unholy storm, onyx (50 gp) for death armor, Listen, Move Silently, and Survival checks. symbol of Nerull Spellbook spells prepared plus 0—all except abjuration and illusion; 1st—erase; 4th—animate dead, ice storm; 5th—blight Major Desecration (Su) As the desecrate spell, extending out “Behold, the great Worm stirs! Go out and spread the word, for he in a 90-foot radius, but affects only allied undead. shall come and make worthy the unworthy, redeem the wicked, Tomb-Tainted Soul Edwin is healed by negative energy and and purge the unclean.” harmed by positive energy as though he were undead. —The Herald of Kyuss Worm-Smite (Ex) Once every 5 rounds, Edwin can make a touch attack to deliver a worm-smite. A creature struck by this attack must succeed on a DC 22 Reflex save or The Herald of Kyuss is the Worm’s high priest, prophet, and become covered in ravenous worms. On Edwin’s next disciple. The Herald conceals his awful form behind many turn and every turn thereafter, the target takes 7d8 points different masks. The Herald can be anyone and anywhere, of slashing damage as the worms consume the target’s watching and waiting for the moment to strike. flesh and burrow into its organs. The worms remain until destroyed or removed—or until the target is slain, indiGOALS cating the worms have devoured their victim. As a devoted servant, the Herald seeks little else than to A target can use a full-round action to attempt to serve the pleasure of his master. It is enough for him to murremove the hungry worms. Escaping requires a DC 22 der and devour—to spread unrest and violence in the Reflex save. Rolling on the ground—and thus crushing Worm’s name. The Herald must often guess at the worms—provides a +2 circumstance bonus on the save. Dealing at least 20 points of fire his master’s wishes since Kyuss rarely deigns damage destroys the worms, but to communicate his wants, leaving the Herdeals the same amount of damage ald to interpret the silence to the best of to the victim as well. Conjuration his ability. (teleportation) spells or spell-like effects can also extricate the target USING THE HERALD from the worm-smite. The Herald is a faceless enemy, a hidConstructs, elemenden threat to cause trouble for the player tals, oozes, and creatures characters. Using his change shape abilof the incorporeal subtype ity, the Herald can masquerade as anyone, are immune to this ability. Cursed Glance (Sp) Seven and can play the part of a trusted ally times per day when a or a longtime companion. When visible enemy within the PCs seek out Wormcrawl 60 feet targets Edwin Island, the Herald should accomwith an attack or spell, pany them, then betray them at Edwin can, as an imtheir most desperate moment. mediate action, force the opponent to make DESCRIPTION a DC 18 Will save or Kyuss’s Herald prefers the take a –2 penalty to AC form of a young, lithe womand on saving throws for 1 round. an, getting what he wants Discorporate (Ex) As an through seduction and deimmediate action, ceit. His normal form is a Edwin can discorpodisgusting blending of worm, rate, collapsing into a octopus, and insect. The Herald pile of slithering vermin. is monstrous, but also quite clevThere’s one Fine worm er. He speaks eloquently and (AC 20, 1 hp each) for The Herald of Kyuss has impeccable manners. each hit point Edwin
HERALD OF KYUSS
Illus. by S. Srisuwan
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