b'Rust Monster Matriarch \n'b'  Medium   beast ,  unaligned  \n'b'  Armor Class  15 (natural armor)  Hit Points  67 (9d8 + 27);  Wound Threshold  17  Speed  40 ft.\n'b' STATS STR: 16 (+3) DEX:  11 (+0)  CON:  16 (+3)  INT:  4 (-3)  WIS:  14 (+2)  CHA:  7 (-2)  \n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'  Senses   darkvision  60 ft., passive  Perception  12  Languages  \xe2\x80\x93  Challenge  3 (700 XP) \n'b' SPECIAL TRAITS \n'b'\n'b'  Iron Scent . The rust monster matriarch can pinpoint, by scent, the location of ferrous metal within 30 feet of it. \n'b'  Rust Metal . Any nonmagical weapon made of metal that hits the rust monster matriarch corrodes. After dealing damage, the weapon takes a permanent and cumulative -1 penalty to  damage rolls . If its penalty drops to -5, the weapon is destroyed. Nonmagical ammunition made of metal that hits the rust monster matriarch is destroyed after dealing damage. \n'b'\n'b' ACTIONS \n'b'\n'b'  Antennae . The rust monster matriarch corrodes a nonmagical ferrous metal object it can see within 5 feet of it. If the object isn\xe2\x80\x99t 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 13  Dexterity  saving throw to avoid the  rust monster\xe2\x80\x99s  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. \n'b'\n'b' ACTIONS \n'b'\n'b'  Antennae . The rust monster corrodes a nonmagical ferrous metal object it can see within 5 feet of it. If the object isn\xe2\x80\x99t 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 11  Dexterity  saving throw to avoid the  rust monster\xe2\x80\x99s  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. \n'b'  Bite .  Melee Weapon Attack : +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.  Hit : 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage. \n'b'  Bite .  Melee Weapon Attack : +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.  Hit : 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage. \n'b'  Iron Spit .  Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack : +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target.  Hit : 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage. \n'b'\n'b' REACTIONS \n'b'\n'b'  Parry . The rust monster matriarch adds 2 to its AC against one  melee attack  that would hit it. To do so, the matriarch must see the attacker. \n'b'\n'b' LEGENDARY ACTIONS \n'b' The rust monster matriarch can take 3 legendary  actions , choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature\xe2\x80\x99s turn. The rust monster matriarch regains spent legendary  actions  at the start of its turn. \n'b'\n'b'  Iron Spit . The rust monster matriarch makes an iron spit  attack . \n'b'  Bite . The rust monster matriarch makes a bite  attack . \n'b'  Movement . The rust monster matriarch moves up to its speed without provoking attacks of opportunity. \n'b'  Antennae (costs 2 Actions) . The rust monster matriarch uses the antennae action. \n'b'\n'b' ABOUT \n'b' Rust monsters don\xe2\x80\x99t form colonies, but particularly large and ferocious specimens, with a faster rate of egg-laying, are still referred to as matriarchs. Aggressive and clever, a matriarch can represent a significant threat on her own if she has the chance to build a nest in an area rich in oxidable minerals. \n'b' The rust monster is an extraordinary arthropod of significant  size  at maturity, known for its appetite for metal and other minerals that it consumes oxidized, if not completely rusted. Since their food is primarily found in cities and mines, the creatures like to roam around these areas, causing a lot of damage. Others wander through the caverns of the Netherworld, searching for their next morsel, whether alone or in a group. \n'b' Rust Monster Nests \n'b' A female rust monster will bring back as much metal as possible to her nest, where she\xe2\x80\x99ll lay about twenty eggs. Her larvae will grow while gorging themselves on rusted metal, before taking their first molt, after which they\xe2\x80\x99ll be left to their own devices. They\xe2\x80\x99ll reach adult  size  after a few years. \n'b' Miners and mine owners are well aware of the scourge a growing population of rust monsters represents, so they\xe2\x80\x99re quick to employ adventurers at the first sign of these creatures, to find their nest and exterminate them. This attitude of trying to annihilate a species is a problem in the eyes of those who are close to druidic traditions. \n'b' In their opinion, rust monsters have a role to play and a balance must be found. \n'b' SPECIAL OPTION \n'b' When using this option, oxidation is not an absolute and limitless phenomenon. It\xe2\x80\x99s a chemical process that can transform certain metals and stones, but not all. For example, gold and mithral don\xe2\x80\x99t oxidize. On the other hand, iron, silver, copper, and bronze are very vulnerable to oxidation and, therefore, appetizing to rust monsters. Bauxite-a red soil that is plentiful in some desert lands-is an example of a type of naturally oxidized dirt, making it an ideal terrain for a population of rust monsters.'