Necrophidius

A necrophidius, also known as a death worm, was a construct that looked like a huge skeletal snake with the skull of a human.

Description
The bodies of death worms were bleached-white and their human-like heads had snake-like fangs. Their skulls seemed to have swirling white eyes, and their bodies emitted no odor. They were able to crawl completely silently, and could stand on the tip of their tail to elevate themselves to around 12 feet (3.7 meters).

These very rare creatures could understand Common, but were unable to speak. As well as this, they were adept at climbing, sneaking, and hiding. Although they appeared to be undead, they were not, much like a bone golem.

Combat
Owing to their stealthy nature, necrophidii would often hide and then launch a sneak attack on an opponent. If spotted in plain sight, these creatures could hypnotize prey by whirling in a specific manner, and then viciously bite their victims. This vicious bite could even paralyze a foe, and cause them to become unconscious for up to 10 minutes. They sometimes attacked in groups, causing their enemies to be flanked, giving the constructs an advantage in combat.



As with other constructs, they were immune to poison, paralysis, disease, and sleep as well as other mind-affecting spells and abilities.

Variants

 * Two-Headed: A two-headed variant of necrophidius that was developed by the Zakharan necromancer Sumulael. He scribbled in the margins of his necrophidicon how one could extend the usual recipe for these golems in order to create his two-headed variant.

Ecology
As these golems had no need for food or sleep, they did not have a large impact on ecology. However, they obeyed the word of their masters, and so could hunt down creatures in an area they were commanded to protect.

Creation
Necrophidius constructs were often made to serve as assassins or guards. The base cost for such a construct was 5,000 gp, but more powerful ones could be made. The spellcaster had to have the ability to craft wondrous items, as well as be willing to lose power in the production of such a construct, and five days spare.

The required components were a skeleton of a snake, a skull of a humanoid, and the material components needed for the individual spells. Arcane spellcasters required the usage of geas/quest, hold person, Mordenkainen's faithful hound, and hypnotism. Divine spellcasters required the same first two spells as a mage, but also needed animate objects and command. Other spell combinations were known to create a necrophidius, as well as differing expenditures in both gold and time.

However, it was also possible to create these constructs by using a tome similar to a manual of golems, known as a necrophidicon.

Habitats
Beyond Toril, these constructs were known to exist on the planet of Oerth and in the Domains of Dread.

History
Such creatures were known to be kept by Netherese lords in the Shadowfell, such as Draygo Quick.

They were also known to lurk in the first level of Undermountain in the 14 century DR.

In the mid–15 century DR, Effron Alegni managed to acquire one of these constructs.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Desert of Desolation • The Ruins of Undermountain
 * Novels
 * The Last Threshold
 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards