Giant Slug

This massive, gray-brown slug leaves a viscous trail of slime in its wake as a long rasping tongue tastes the air for prey.

Giant slugs are not your typical garden pests. They are a significant threat to those who cross their path. These enormous beasts pose a danger to livestock and even homes, especially for those who live near swamps or other regions that support giant slugs. With a preference for fleshy organic material, they roam in search of food, slicing it into smaller, easily gulped chunks with their rasp-like tongues.

The origins of giant slugs are shrouded in mystery, and their monstrous proportions are a matter of speculation. However, they do breed true, giving birth to oversized offspring after a fleshy, squirming courtship ritual. The mother slug fiercely guards her clutch of just over a hundred eggs, each approximately a foot in diameter. Any creature that ventures too close to the eggs is met with an aggressive attack from the mother slug. Swamps aboveground provide the perfect habitat for giant slugs to mate, and those who live nearby avoid venturing into the swamps during this month.

Giant slugs also have a presence in the subterranean world. Some subterranean races use them as mounts or guardians. To keep them docile, creatures like mites, who have a strange empathy with vermin, can be used. However, great care must be taken by those who use them, keeping them well-fed until they are needed for battle. Frightening reports suggest that armies of troglodytes use these creatures as siege mounts. There are also disturbing tales of vast underground caverns inhabited by scores of skum and aboleth-controlled aquatic giant slugs with strange, mind-numbing abilities infused into their acidic saliva.

In summary, giant slugs are not just simple creatures that inhabit gardens. They pose a real danger to people, livestock, and even homes. Their origins are a mystery, but their oversized offspring and the fleshy, squirming courtship ritual are a fascinating sight. Those who live near swamps are advised to stay clear of these regions during the month of mating season. In the subterranean world, these creatures are used as mounts or guardians with creatures like mites used to keep them docile. However, tales of skum and aboleth-controlled aquatic giant slugs with strange abilities are disturbing and require caution when facing them.

This content is from the Paizo Core Rules.

Giant Slug

CR 8XP 4,800

N Huge vermin

Init -4; Senses blindsight 60 ft.; Perception +0

DEFENSE

AC 20, touch 4, flat-footed 20; (-4 Dexterity, +16 natural, -2 size)

hp 102 (12d8+48)

Fort +12, Ref +0, Will +4

DR 10/slashing or piercing Immune acid, mind-affecting effects

Weaknesses susceptible to salt

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft.

Melee tongue +15 (2d10+12 plus 2d8 acid)

Ranged spit acid +3 (10d6 acid)

Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.

STATISTICS

Strength 27, Dexterity 2, Constitution 18, Intelligence —, Wisdom 10, Charisma 1

Base Atk +9; CMB +19; CMD 25 (can’t be tripped)

SQ malleable

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Spit Acid (Ex)

A giant slug can spit acid at an opponent within 60 feet (no range increment). With a successful ranged touch attack, the target takes 10d6 points of acid damage (no save).

Malleable (Ex)

A giant slug’s body is very malleable, allowing it to fit into narrow areas with ease. It takes no penalty to its speed or checks when squeezing in an area that is one size category smaller than its actual size (10 feet wide for most giant slugs). A giant slug can squeeze normally through an area two size categories smaller than its actual size (5 feet wide for most giant slugs).

Susceptible to Salt (Ex)

A handful of salt burns a giant slug as if it were a flask of acid, causing 1d6 points of damage per use.

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate and warm marshes and underground
Organization solitary
Treasure none