The dark gelatinous creature’s form constantly shifts and swirls incomprehensibly.
There are places in the depths of the world where the barrier between the Material Plane and the Void grows thin. When a black pudding spends too much time in one of these places, it absorbs the foul energies and becomes an eldritch ooze. These creatures move mindlessly through the lightless depths, seeking wills to destroy.
Drawn to Madness. Despite their mindlessness, eldritch oozes seem to be drawn to areas where madness is already rampant. When they escape to the surface world, they inevitably migrate to asylums or other locations where the insane congregate.
Ooze Nature. An eldritch ooze doesn’t require sleep.
Eldritch Ooze
Large ooze, unalignedArmor Class 8
Hit Points 153 (18d10 + 54)
Speed 10 ft., climb 10 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 6 (-2) | 16 (+3) | 1 (-5) | 6 (-2) | 8 (-2) |
Damage Immunities acid, cold, lightning, slashing
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, prone
Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 8
Languages —
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Amorphous. The eldritch ooze can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
Maddening Form. When a creature with an Intelligence of 3 or higher that can see the eldritch ooze starts its turn within 30 feet of the ooze, the ooze can force it to make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw if the ooze isn’t incapacitated and can see the creature. If the creature fails, it takes 7 (2d6) psychic damage and is incapacitated until the end of its turn.
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it can’t see the eldritch ooze until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If the creature looks at the ooze in the meantime, it must immediately make the saving throw.
Spider Climb. The eldritch ooze can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Actions
Void-Infused Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 10 (3d6) psychic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or its Intelligence score is reduced by 1d4. The target dies if this reduces its Intelligence to 0. Otherwise, the reduction lasts until the target finishes a short or long rest.
Reactions
Split. When an eldritch ooze that is Medium or larger is subjected to lightning or slashing damage, it splits into two new oozes if it has at least 10 hp. Each new ooze has hp equal to half the original ooze’s, rounded down. New oozes are one size smaller than the original ooze.