Lucrephage

This creature will not be popular with my players. I like it because tossing henchman at it does NOT solve the problem, and it gives the players two ways to interact with the hinge-headed: either hunting it down on their behalf, or luring it deeper into the hinge-headed lair and using it as a distraction.

Lucrephage
No. Enc: 1d3 (1d3)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90' (30')
Armor Class: See below
Hit Dice: 5
Attacks: 1
Damage: See below
Save: F5
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: None
XP: 500

The lucrephage is an extradimensional creature that subsists entirely on precious metals and jewelry. It absorbs these materials into its being, slowly becoming more tangible as it feeds.

The lucrephage can sense treasure within 30’, and is able to draw the valuables into itself telekinetically. Treasure will fly from wherever its contained – locks will unlock, sacks will tear apart, and chests will open. Only magic such as wizard lock can prevent a container from opening. As the treasure is drawn into its body, the creature becomes visible, taking on the gleaming hues of the valuables it has absorbed.

The creature will devour 250 gp of treasure per round, starting with the most valuable gems or jewelry. If a piece of treasure is worth more than 250 gp, just that single piece will be consumed, and its full value absorbed.

The visibility, vulnerability, and threat posed by the lucrephage depend on how much treasure it has consumed. Keep track of the treasure consumed, and consult the table below for the specifics.

Lucrephage Abilities
Treasure Consumed	Visiblity	AC	Damage	Damage Resistance
0 gp	Invisible, surprise on 1-4 on a d6	4	1d3	Immune to normal weapons
250 gp	Glimmering outline	5	1d4	Takes maximum of 1 point of damage from single attack
500 gp	Mist of precious metals	6	1d6	Takes maximum of 2 points of damage
750 gp	Individual limbs partially outlined by thin sheets of precious metals	4	1d8	Takes maximum of 4 points of damage
1000 gp	Creature covered by shell of gold and/or sparkling sheets of gem-material, with many large holes	2	1d10	Takes maximum of 8 points of damage
1250 gp	Nearly completely covered in gold, silver, and thin gem-sheets	0	2d6	Takes maximum of 12 points of damage
1500 gp	Creature completely visible, and covered with a thin layer of treasure. It has a squat cone-shaped body atop six clawed legs. A tentacle terminating in a club-like four-fingered fist extends from the top of the beast’s body	-2	2d8	Takes full damage

Lucrephages always take full damage from magic and protonium-metal weapons, regardless of how much treasure they have absorbed. They take no damage from fire, cold, or electrical attacks.

Strikes from gold and silver weapons will heal the lucrephage of 1d4 points of damage, and the weapons’ precious metals will be absorbed into the creature. Gold and silver bullets only heal 1 point of damage, and only increase the absorbed treasure value by 1 gp or sp, respectively.

When slain, the lucrephage’s body will collapse into a dust made up of the remains of its meals. The gem dust is worthless, but 10% of the value of consumed precious metals may be recovered.

Lucrephages particularly enjoy feeding on the minds of the hinge-headed. A hinge-headed’s mind crystal provides 250 gp of treasure value to the lucrephage.

Crystal skulls are also quite delicious – these will provide 500 gp of value to the voracious lucrephage.