Armor Class:

16

Hit Dice:

11* (+9) to 20* (+13)

No. of Attacks:

1 bite/1 sting

Damage:

2d8/1d8+poison

Movement:

20' (15')

No. Appearing:

1d2, Wild 1d4

Save As:

Fighter: 6 to 10 (½ of Hit Dice)

Morale:

10

Treasure Type:

None

XP:

1,670 – 5,450

Purple worms are gigantic subterranean monsters; they are rarely found above ground. The body of a mature purple worm is 5-8 feet in diameter and 60-100 feet long, weighing about 40,000 pounds.

The creature has a poisonous stinger in its tail; those injured by it must save vs. Poison or die. Note that the purple worm's movement is less than the monster's length, so that, if attacking from out of a tunnel, it might not be able to use the stinger for several rounds.

Any time a purple worm successfully bites a man-sized or smaller opponent with a natural roll of 19 or 20, the opponent has been swallowed, and will suffer 3d6 damage per round afterward due to being digested. A character who has been swallowed can only effectively attack with small cutting or stabbing weapons such as dagger or shortsword.