Ankheg

ANKHEG
The ankheg is a giant, armored insect that burrows through the earth, bursting up from the ground to snatch unsuspecting prey and chew them in half. Ankhegs average twelve to fifteen feet in length, and have five legs on each side of its body that jut out from the spaces between its exoskeletal plates. Their heads have two beady black eyes, protected by retractable shielding while digging. Below the eyes are two massive mandibles, with a series of smaller mandibles just behind them for grinding down and swallowing their meals. On the back of the head are two long black antennae, which aid in the ankheg’s ability to sense vibrations from above while the monster is tunneling beneath the surface.

Classification:
Tunneler/chomper/ambusher(1)

Demeanor:
Predatory; bugbrained; chompy

Habitat:
Ankhegs can survive nearly anywhere in Spauria, but tend to live near farmlands and open fields where herds of animals can be found. You can tell if there is an ankheg living in the area by their distinctive three-foot diameter holes, surrounded by the bloody shreds of whatever creature they made into a meal. Ankhegs will often take up residence in natural or pre-dug tunnel networks as long as there is a good supply of food nearby. If one were to explore such tunnels, they could expect to find occasional clusters of ankheg eggs, three to four at a time, each about the size of a watermelon. DO NOT TOUCH THEM. Disturbing the egg may trigger the tremor-sense of the larvae inside, causing the egg to burst prematurely, and splashing you with sticky, burning acid.

Diet:
Sheep, goats, cattle, humanoids, medium animals; if it has young to feed, the ankheg will return to them and regurgitate half-digested pieces of its previous meal for the hatchlings to feed on.

Abilities:
Ankhegs lay patiently beneath the surface, using their antennae to detect even the slightest vibrations from above. When a creature of sufficient size passes near the ankheg’s hiding place, it will burst out and seize its prey in its mandibles before the creature has a chance to flee. It will then attempt to bite the creature in half, killing it, and devouring the pieces before returning to its tunnels. If threatened, the ankheg is capable of spitting a jetstream of its own stomach acid to drive back predators and angry adventurers. It can only do this once or twice every twenty-four hours, and only in the most dire of circumstances, as without stomach acid the ankheg is incapable of digesting its meals.

Weakness:
If you find yourself under attack from an ankheg, get as far away from it as possible. The eyes of the insect are accustomed to life underground, and thus, while in sunlight, only has effective vision out to fifteen feet. If you can move out of its sight, it will be forced to burrow underground and resort to its tremor-sense. If you remain calm and do not move, the ankheg won’t be able to detect you, and will eventually move on. If it does not move, it is possible to take slow, easy steps out of the area without alerting the creature to your presence. In the hunting grounds of an Ankheg, travel slowly and lightly, and be on your guard at all times.

Uses:
The exoskeletal plates of the ankheg are coveted by those who craft armor, as they are both light, flexible and durable. Ankheg internals (primarily the thick, concentrated stomach acids), if properly preserved, can be sold to a worthy alchemist for a good price.

Notes:

 * 1) See also: Remorhaz