Xenobites

There once was a wizard who sought to make an unstoppable army. He slaved away day in and day out in his laboratory trying to perfect his insidious creation. However, his machinations did not go according to plan.

Instead, the wizard accidentally created the first xenobites, tiny creatures who have become the bane of many an adventurer. These insatiable menaces have a ravenous appetite, and the ability to mimic whatever surface they happen to be touching. Their largest strength, however, lies in sheer numbers...

Voracious Chewers. The xenobites' need to consume is their only driving goal. They aren't mindless so much as animalistic in their need to feed. Once a xenobite senses food nearby, its high-pitched yipping will immediately alert any other nearby xenobites.

Being small and frail, a lone xenobite doesn't present much challenge to even a novice adventurer. However, in large numbers, a xenobite horde can fell even the most seasoned veteran through sheer numbers.

Irresponsible Breeders. Xenobites' ability to mimic various materials is impressive, but their ability to reproduce is the stuff of legends...and nightmares. The hyperactive creatures are able to reproduce in hours if given ample food supplies. And their metabolism is capable of sustaining them on almost nothing.

Several stories abound of adventurers opening doors in long forgotten tombs only to find a plethora of xenobites "sleeping" and ready to pounce.

Adorable Nuisances. Despite the danger represented by xenobites, many adventurers find them to be almost irresistably cute. Their furry bodies and high-pitched yipping have the ability to soften hearts, but many who have sought to make them pets have met bad ends. It could be possible, if certain precautions were taken, for a wizard to gain one as a familiar, but the promising spellcaster had better keep plenty of snacks on hand.

Environmental Mimics. During their creation, xenobites were given the ability to take on the hardiness of any material that they happen to rest on. Stone, steel, even adamantine is within the scope of this ability. The creature's fur and body take on the color and texture of whatever material, as well as the hardness and armor class. This can make fighting them underground particularly difficult.

Xenobite Tiny monstrosity, unaligned Armor Class 10 (variable)

10 (variable) Hit Points 1d4+1 (3)

1d4+1 (3) Speed 15ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 5 (-2) 10 (+0) 15 (+3)

Senses passive Perception 12

passive Perception 12 Languages None

None Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Pack Tactics. The xenobite has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the xenobite's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.

Material Mimic. Xenobites are able to mimic the material they are on as a bonus action at the start of their turn. See the Object Armor Class table (DMG 246) to determine the xenobite's new armor class for any material needed.