Piercer

A piercer looks exactly like a stalactite. It is a living creature encased in a stone covering. Piercers are sensitive to noise and heat and when they detect a source of either passing beneath them they drop, seeking to kill and devour their target.

A piercer has a single attack, seeking to impale the unlucky victim with its sharp point. After killing and feasting the piercer will move via tiny cilia in its base back up to the ceiling. Any grouping of piercers will include a mix of the various HD, roll 1d4 with 1 = 1 HD, 2 = 2 HD, 3 = 3 HD, and 4 = 4 HD. A piercer will do 1d6 of damage for each of its HD.

The 1 HD piercer is 3-ft long and weighs about 200 lbs. With each additional HD the piercer adds another foot of length and another 100 lbs of weight. Piercers devour even the bones of their victims and any intelligent cave or dungeon dwelling denizens living nearby will often (carefully) scavenge any armour, weapons, money, magic, or anything else remaining of even the least value.

Special Abilities

Surprise — 95% surprise due to appearance as a stalactite.

Heat and Noise Sensitivity — Sensitive to noise and heat, detecting sources passing beneath them.

Drop Attack — Drops from ceiling to impale victims with sharp point.

Movement — After feeding, moves via tiny cilia in its base back up to the ceiling.

Variable Size — 1 HD: 3-ft long, 200 lbs. Each additional HD adds 1-ft length and 100 lbs weight.

Complete Consumption — Devours even the bones of victims.