Centipedes, Swarm of

In the dark and foreboding recesses of dungeons, caves, or subterranean tunnels, the Swarm of Centipedes emerges as a wriggling and relentless entity. Composed of numerous segmented creatures moving in unison, the Swarm embodies the collective force, skittering horror, and unsettling nature of a multitude of crawling arthropods.

The Swarm of Centipedes appears as a seething mass of countless centipedes, their many legs propelling them in a wave-like motion. Individually, each centipede is small and inconspicuous, but when united as a swarm, they form a disturbing and unnerving sight.

These swarms are often found in damp, dimly lit places such as dank caves, forgotten cellars, or hidden underground chambers. They are drawn to locations where they can find prey or uncover decaying organic matter. Swarms of Centipedes are most active during the night or in areas where darkness provides cover for their movements.

The Swarm of Centipedes attacks by overwhelming its prey with sheer numbers and their venomous bites. The swarm engulfs its target, crawling over them in a writhing carpet of segmented bodies, each delivering painful and venomous strikes. While individually small, the combined force of the swarm can cause significant pain, poison, or even incapacitate their victims.

Due to their collective nature, Swarms of Centipedes are resistant to many forms of conventional weaponry and are adept at squeezing through small cracks and crevices. Spells or abilities that target specific individuals or larger creatures may prove less effective against the swarm. Fire, cold, or other sources of extreme temperature can disrupt the swarm’s cohesion and scatter the centipedes temporarily.

Encountering a Swarm of Centipedes is to face an unsettling and skittering force of nature. Its presence exudes an aura of crawling horror and the overwhelming nature of a multitude of segmented creatures. Engaging with a Swarm of Centipedes requires swift action and area-of-effect attacks, as their small size and rapid movements make them difficult to target individually.

Swarms of Centipedes bring a touch of unsettling dread and the creepy allure of crawling creatures to the tapestry of the world. They serve as reminders of the hidden dangers lurking in dark places and the primeval fear of arthropods. Whether encountered as harbingers of creeping terror, obstacles in forgotten passages, or as guardians of forbidden chambers, Swarms of Centipedes add a sense of relentless movement, skittering sounds, and the unsettling presence of a multitude of crawling creatures to the realms of adventure and exploration.

Special Abilities

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 insect. The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Actions

• Bites: Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm’s space. Hit: 10 (4d4) piercing damage, or 5 (2d4) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.
  A creature reduced to 0 hit points by a swarm of centipedes is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and paralyzed while poisoned in this way.