Dustdigger

A dustdigger was a huge monster that lurked underground and projected illusions to lure prey into its maw.

Description
A dustdigger resembled a huge five-pointed upside-down starfish with flexible arms and a many-fanged mouth in the center, which faced upwards. It had a tough, armored hide, but the underbelly (facing up) was comparatively softer. The outer hide was dark blue and purple, and the inner hide was orange.

Behavior
Dustdiggers usually formed groups of up to twenty individuals. They often traveled as a group but did not exhibit pack behavior. They traveled short distances, only at night and only for a few minutes before digging a hole and settling in again.

Tactics
A dustdigger would dig a hole in loose, sandy soil or a dune, and cover itself with a layer of sand, then inflate itself to form a slight mound. Lying in wait just under the surface, a dustdigger trapped creatures walking over it by deflating rapidly, causing a sinkhole effect as the shifting sand hopefully prevented the victim from avoiding its mouth. After deflation, the arms came up, enclosing the victim and pinning them, making a counterattack nearly impossible. Dustdiggers preferred to kill their prey using their sharp fangs before ingesting them.

About one in five dustdiggers were able to project an illusion, such as a pool of cool refreshing water, to lure in prey.

History
Vajra Valmeyjar was familiar with dustdiggers.

The famed dwarf smith Jogaoh kept a pet dustdigger named Ulala to guard his home in the mountains near Waterdeep. When Vajra Valmeyjar, Cybriana, Timoth Eyesbright, Onyx the Invincible, and Priam Agrivar sought out the smith in the Year of the Prince, 1357 DR, they sighted a pool of sparkling fresh water and rushed into it. They were soon ensnared by the dustdigger, which then dropped the illusion and tried to devour them. Fortunately, Jogaoh called off his pet.

Habitats
Dustdiggers were known to be common in the desert of Raurin and Calim.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Desert of Desolation
 * Comics
 * The Bounty Seekers Of Manshaka