Worm that walks

Worm that walks
(Creature)
Type	Vermin; (augmented)
CR	+2
Environment	Any
	Images of worms that walk
	Source: Bestiary 2, pg(s). 286–287

A worm that walks is a writhing mass of worms that forms the shape of a spellcasting creature.^[1]

Appearance

A worm that walks is a mass of worms formed into the shape of whatever dead spellcaster the worms originally fed upon. Although worm-based variants are the most common, others can be composed of other forms of vermin, such as locusts, wasps, ants, and cockroaches.^[2]

Habitat and society

A worm that walks forms sometimes when an evil spellcasting creature is buried in earth infused by magic. The worms that feed on the corpse consume the spellcaster's soul, and gain a hive mind that retains the memories and magical abilities the corpse had in life.^[1]

Abilities

A worm that walks shares many of the traits of insect swarms, having no vulnerable organs and no discernible "front" and "back". Its unique composition makes it very resistant to weapon damage. It normally forms in the shape of the corpse, but if necessary it can split itself up into a mass of worms (for instance in order to swarm onto an opponent).^[1]

However, it is not a mindless collection of vermin, and can call upon the spellcasting power the original corpse possessed in life.^[1]

On Golarion

The nature of a worm that walks means it can form spontaneously wherever the appropriate conditions are found. However, several of these creature are known to serve the neothelids of Denebrum, and lead seugathi forces in the Ilvarandin district of Aumentral against the neothelid's intellect devourer foes.^[3]

Notable individuals

The Lurker of the Woods in the Shudderwood, located just south of Ustalav^[2]
Malkay Enrili in the sunken city of Xin^[2]
The Plagued One in the Worldwound (locust variant)^[4]
Rhenmari Thot deep underneath Osirion in the depths of Sekamina^[2]
Urca Namat in the ruined monastery of Renchurch in Ustalav^[2]
The Wriggling Man, the personal advisor of nymph queen Nyrissa in the First World^[2]

On distant worlds

These abominations can also be found on the dead planet Eox and distant Aucturn.^[5]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Wolfgang Baur et al. (2010). Bestiary 2 (First Edition), p. 286–7. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 ^2.5 Amanda Hamon. (2013). Ecology of the Worm That Walks. Demon's Heresy, p. 73–74. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-577-8
↑ Tim Hitchcock, Brandon Hodge, Michael Kortes, Jason Nelson, Russ Taylor. (2011). Lost Cities of Golarion, p. 8. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-272-2
↑ Jim Groves, Amanda Hamon, and James Jacobs. (2013). Bestiary. Demon's Heresy, p. 83. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-577-8
↑ James L. Sutter. (2012). Distant Worlds, p. 57. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-403-0

[B2-286-287-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Wolfgang Baur et al. (2010). Bestiary 2 (First Edition), p. 286–7. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-268-5

[DH73-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 ^2.4 ^2.5 Amanda Hamon. (2013). Ecology of the Worm That Walks. Demon's Heresy, p. 73–74. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-577-8

[3] Tim Hitchcock, Brandon Hodge, Michael Kortes, Jason Nelson, Russ Taylor. (2011). Lost Cities of Golarion, p. 8. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-272-2

[D62-4] Jim Groves, Amanda Hamon, and James Jacobs. (2013). Bestiary. Demon's Heresy, p. 83. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-577-8

[5] James L. Sutter. (2012). Distant Worlds, p. 57. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-403-0

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