Ghosts of Saltmarsh

SKELETAL SWARM

This swarm of bones found rising out of the sand in Isle
of the Abbey is made from the remains of several ani-
mated skeletons. A skeletal swarm alternates its appear-
ance between partially formed humanoid shapes and a
chaotic, swirling mass.

SKUM

Several poor souls around the Styes have succumbed

to an aboleth's magic through its disease-bearing touch. ~ ...,

Transformed into creatures called skum. they barely ( \

resemble their past forms. their skin turning slimy and ....., •~---

translucent while their limbs warp to resemble those

of deep-sea oddities. The change makes them depen-

dent on water, which they must immer se themselves in

regularly lest they experience painful- and potentially

lethal- skin eruptions. Skum are bound to their aboleth

master not just by their cursed state, but by a psychic

bond that compels them to serve its every sinister whim.

SKELETAL SWARM

Lorge swarm of Medium undead, lawful evil

Armor Class^13 (armor scraps)

Hit Points^60 (8dl0 + 16)

Speed 30 ft.

STR

12 (+l)

DEX

14 (+2)

CON

15 (+2)

INT

6 (-2)

Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning

Damage Resistances slashing. piercing

Damage Immunities poison

WIS

8 (-1)

CHA

5 (-3)

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,

paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception^9

Languages-

Challenge^2 (450 XP)

Deafening Clatter. Creatures are deafened while in the

swarm's space.

Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature's space and

vice versa, and the swarm can move t hrough any opening large

enough for a Small humanoid. The swarm can't regain hit

points or gain temporary hit points.

ACTIONS

Slash. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach^0 ft., one ta rget

in the swarm's space. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) slashing damage, or

6 (ld8 + 2) slashing damage ifthe swarm has halfofits hit

points or fewer.

APl'ENUlX ( MONSTfl{<; \NI) Nl'f~

SKUM

Medium aberration. lawful evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points^93 (lld8 + 44)

Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.

STR

19 (+4)

DEX

11 (+O)

Skills Perception +4

CON

18 (+4)

Damage Resistances psychic

INT

7 (-1)

WIS

12 (+1)

Senses darkvision^120 ft., passive Perception^14

Languages Common, Deep Speech. telepathy^60 ft.

Challenge^5 (1,800 XP)

CHA

9 (-1)

Abo/ethic Vassal. The skum is permanently charmed by its abo-

leth master.

Amphibious. The skum can breathe air and water.

Psychic Conditioning. The skum is immune to the frightened

and charmed conditions unless they are from effects created by

an aboleth.

Water Dependency. The skum takes 6 (1dl2) acid damage every

10 minutes 1t goes without exposure to water.

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The s kum makes three attacks: two with its trident

and one with its Mind-Breaking Touch.

Tride nt. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 7 (ld6 + 4) piercing damage.

Mind-Breaking Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach

5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d8) psychic damage, and the target

has disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws until the end of the

skum's next turn.