Contagion Detected

Top Middle

Severe Infestation
The host creature is deceased. Parasitic infestation detected in musculoskeletal, integumentary, and endocrine systems.

Lower left

Mode of Transmission
Millions of microscopic eggs are embedded in the host’s flesh. Consuming this flesh will cause infestation. Antiparasitic agents are needed for treatment if infestation is detected quickly.

Lower Right

Contagion Detected

Corpse Carver System Neutral Stats

Description
An alien shark that’s been infested with a worm-like parasite that spreads hooked tentacles all through the host’s body, eventually killing it. Then the parasite controls the body fully and uses it to find and capture prey.

Basic Info
Classification: Infested shark
Habitat: Thelacury’s oceans
Size: Varies. About 12 to 20 feet.
Speed: Fast
Strength: Extremely strong.
Charisma: Low
Intelligence: Low

Encounters
• These essentially mindless creatures will attack anything.
• They frequently harass fishermen.

Additional Information 
• Eating the flesh of one will transfer the parasite to the new host’s body. This is how it spreads. To date, there’s been no recordings of a humanoid eating infected flesh. No one would be that foolish, right?
• Although solitary predators, they’ll always stalk near gatherings of animals or humanoids. The worm is looking for new prey and hosts.

Dungeons and Dragons 5E
Corpse Carver

Medium Beast,

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30)

Speed ft., swim 40 ft.

STR 18 (+4)

DEX 12 (+1)

CON 16 (+3)

INT 6 (-2)

WIS 10 (+0)

CHA 4 (-3)

Saving Throws Str +6, Con +5

Damage Resistances cold

Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10

Languages —

Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Frenzied Rage. On its next turn after a Corpse Carver takes 10 or more damage from a single attack, it has advantage on its bite attack and adds +2 to damage.

Lightless Depths. A Corpse Carver is immune to the pressure effects of the deep ocean.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack. +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Potential Hooks

• These essentially mindless creatures will attack anything. But why though?

• They frequently harass fishermen.

• They are making a new structure in the ocean to help harness wave motion or salt to generate power for the capitol. Workers are going missing. People want to know why.

• An inland rangifer appears near the edge of your camp. Inland rangifers are usually silent hunters (see Astra Fauna: Expeditions for their culture). This one is screaming and will wildly attack anyone who goes near it. It has succumbed to hunger and eaten the washed up remains of a corpse carver. Will you save it? The player would need to find a “living” corpse carver, scan it, see what’s wrong with it, and then deal with the rangifer who ate one

  • (if you wanted to bring rangifer culture into this encounter, it could be juicy with elements of religion, culture, and morals)
    

Why the QR code to get this info?

So I can update it! I’d like to keep it as current as I can and if re-stats are needed, I can simply edit this page here. Also, if you run a memorable encounter and want me to feature it as a potential hook, email me at Sarah@SarahDahlinger.com and I’ll add it to the list.

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