Crabochon (Monster)

Tiny Elemental, Neutral

Crabochons carry with them a direct connection with the Lodesong, and are bound to its will. They reside in the flesh of Infected Ruby creatures and emerge when the opportunity to spread to other creatures is likely. Their legs are a magical manifestation of the intelligence that controls all Ruby creatures, making them slow and unstable when moving. When embedded into a creature, those magical protrusions connect to the creature’s nervous system, allowing the crabochon to facilitate a mental connection between the Lodesong and the host creature.

Armor Class: 13
Hit Points: 5 (1d6+2)
Speed: 5 ft., climb 5 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
2 (-4) 6 (-3) 12 (+1) 1 (-5) 10 (+0) 2 (-4)

Senses
Darkvision 30 Ft., passive Perception 12
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Spider Climb: The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Earth Glide: The elemental can burrow through non-magical, unworked earth and stone. While doing so, the elemental doesn't disturb the material it moves through.

Actions
Flesh Burrow: If the crabochon is within 2 ft. of a non-mindless creature, it can attempt to burrow into that creature’s skin and attach itself to the nervous system. Fully attaching takes two rounds to complete. If they are able to move, the creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw on either of the two rounds to successfully avoid the attachment. If they fail both saving throws, they must then make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the end of the crabochon’s second round. On a failure, the crabochon successfully infects the creature with the Ruby Plague, and the creature gains the Infected Ruby template.

GM Note

Mind control, and especially domination effects, can be delicate to balance against player agency. Player characters infected with the Ruby Plague still have free will outside of instances of failed saving throws, and should not be compelled to do the Lodesong’s bidding too often. The Lodesong will not compel any infected creature to kill.

Suggested uses of the compulsion could be:

• Opening a gate into a stronghold.

• Leaving a crabochon in the vicinity of an unsuspecting official or respected individual in town.

• Taking or passing supplies to other Infected Rubies who are undetected.

• Diverting or reading communication about Ruby activity.

• Hiding evidence of other Rubies acting in the area.