The glimmer worm is a predator deep in the caverns of Atheles. Its name comes from the way its filaments can glimmer in strong torchlight. It nests in the upper alcoves of tall caves or rooms, laying its sticky strands from the ceiling which drape down to the ground. It waits in silence until something gets caught, then it moves quickly to reel in its catch.
Bones, carapaces, and other pieces of leftover prey litter the floor below a glimmer worm. Though often unseen, they are a frightful sight. Slick, pale flesh covers its body, and large white orbs, which may have once served as eyes, sit atop its fish-like head. The same sticky residue found on its filament exudes from its skin, allowing it to climb walls and ceilings. If feeds through a large gaping orifice of a mouth surrounded by suckers, which help it latch on to prey while it feeds.
A glimmer worm can grow to over 8 feet long and weigh as much as 200 pounds.
—Zoological Encyclopedia
Glimmer Worm
| Characteristics | CV | 3 | |||
| Stat | Score | % | Speed | 25’ | |
| STR | 17 | 85 | HPA measure of the relative health of your character, represen... More | 30 | |
| CON | 12 | 60 | Dmg Mod | 0 | |
| SIZSize defines height, weight, and bulk. There is no SIZ-assoc... More | 18 | 90 | AVThe numeric value representing how much damage armor absorbs... More | 2 | |
| INT | 1 | 5 | Class | Monster | |
| ACU | 10 | 50 | Type | Vermin | |
| DEX | 12 | 60 | Horror An optional system where your character’s mental health is ... More | 1/1d8 | |
| SOC | – | – | Treasure | Harvestables | |
- Attack: Bite 75% 1d6+3+dm
- Skills: Dodge 60%, Grapple 60%, Hide 60%, Listen 60%, Spot 60%, Stealth 60%
- SpecialA special success if the roll is equal to or less than 1/5 t... More: Filament, Hold, Pull
- Weaknesses: Fire burns its filaments
- Habitat: Underground caverns, ruins
- Encounter: Solitary
Filament
A glimmer worm drapes its lair with thin, transparent, silk-like filaments. Spotting a filament before touching it requires a Spot check. A creature that touches a filament becomes stuck. It can tear itself free with a DifficultYour skill is halved when a task is harder than average, whi... More STR check or escape the adhesive with a DifficultYour skill is halved when a task is harder than average, whi... More DEX check.
Each filament has 10 HPA measure of the relative health of your character, represen... More and Damage Resistance 15 against non-slashing damage. Fire destroys a filament, while strong alcohol or universal solvent dissolves its adhesive and immediately releases a trapped creature.
A glimmer worm can maintain up to 12 filaments at once.
Pull
Once a creature is caught in a filament, the glimmer worm can reel it toward its mouth.
The worm and trapped creature make an opposed STR Heroic Action. If the glimmer worm succeeds, it pulls the victim 30’ toward itself. If this brings the victim within reach of its mouth, the glimmer worm immediately makes a free Bite attack against it.
Hold
When a trapped creature is pulled to the glimmer worm, it becomes Grappled as the worm’s suckers latch onto it. On its turn, the victim can attempt an opposed Effort Heroic Action to break free.
Reagents & Remnants
Silk Gland (Reagent)
The glimmer worm’s silk gland contains the same incredibly strong filament it uses to string its lair. The gland can be carefully harvested and its silk processed for use in exceptionally strong cordage.
Glimmer worm silk can be used to string a bow, granting +2 damage with that weapon.
Value: 200 gp
Harvesting Difficulty: DifficultYour skill is halved when a task is harder than average, whi... More