Whether relatives of or more mature specimens of rust monsters the rust moth brings the terror of their subterranean kin to the surface and indeed the skies. Though scholars dispute both the theories of new related species and of the rust monster being merely a larval form of this new terror, they are in agreement that the advent of the rust moth is almost certainly an impact of the proliferation of worked ore and technology both below and above the surface.

Metal Hunters. Rust moths are far more suited to the surface than to narrow caverns with little room to fly. However, the surface is far less abundant in ore than the underground. As a result, they are far more aggressive than rust monsters in hunting sources of metal to consume, constantly coming into conflict with civilization as they eat away railroad tracks and air ships that aren’t defended.

Voracious Appetite. With a hunger far greater than rust monsters, a rust moth can empty a train car of ore between country stops without ever being seen. They are dangerous enough that certain developing tribes and nations have completely forgone the use of metal to keep them away.

Rust Moth

Large monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 37 (5d10+10)

Speed: 20 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 3 (-4) 14 (+2) 6 (-2)

Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11

Languages: –

Challenge: 1 (200 XP)



Iron Scent. The rust moth can pinpoint, by scent, the location of ferrous metal within 60 feet of it.

Rust Metal. Any nonmagical weapon made of metal that hits the rust moth corrodes. After dealing damage, the weapon takes a permanent and cumulative -1 penalty to damage rolls. If this penalty drops to -5, the weapon is destroyed. Nonmagical ammunition made of metal that hits the rust monster is destroyed after dealing damage.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage.

Antennae. The rust moth corrodes a nonmagical ferrous metal object it can see within 15 feet of it. If the object isn’t being worn or carried, the touch destroys a 1-foot cube of it. If the object is being worn or carried by a creature, the creature can make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw to avoid the rust moth’s touch.

If the object touched is either metal armor or a metal shield being worn or carried, it takes a permanent and cumulative -1 penalty to the AC it offers. Armor reduced to an AC of 10 or a shield that drops to a +0 bonus is destroyed. If the object touched is a held metal weapon, it rusts as described in the Rust Metal trait.

A lot of fun ideas that weren’t quite on them didn’t make the cut for Sentient Skies, so I’m scooping them up the chopping block and putting them here. Wouldn’t these be the perfect ambush for your PCs sky ship?

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