Murex

Opportunistic Ambushers. These large, predatory snails are often found in rocky crags and flooded caverns where the sea meets the land in tropical climates. The bright purple color of the Murex comes from a special gland that produces mucus that the snail uses as venom in hunting its prey. Naturally slow-moving, Murex mostly hunt other snails (including other Murex), but will attack anything that comes within striking distance. The bite of a Murex is strong enough to pierce even the shells of other snails, and delivers a dose of purple venom that paralyzes its prey so that the Murex can devour it slowly at its leisure.

Murex in the Bible. Although the size of this creature has been exaggerated for the purposes of this adventure, the Murex was well-known to people in the time of the Bible. The mucus gland of the Murex was the only known substance that could produce a color known at the time as "Royal Purple." During ceremonies in the Temple in Jerusalem, the High Priest traditionally wore robes of royal purple. This color is not only beautiful, but was extremely hard to come by. Textile merchants would pay a great deal to adventurers willing to obtain these mucus glands.

Medium monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 14

Hit Points 24

Speed 15 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	4 (-3)	18 (+4)	1 (-5)	10 (+0)	4 (-3)

Damage Immunities Poison

Condition Immunities Prone

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Tremorsense 60 ft., Passive Perception 10

Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Features

Amphibious. The murex can breathe air and water.

Spider Climb. The murex can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Actions

Sting. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (1d4+2) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, or be poisoned for 1 minute. While poisoned in this way, the target is paralyzed. The target may repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the poisoned paralysis on a success.

Devour. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one paralyzed creature. Hit: 14 (4d6) piercing damage.

Shell Defense. The murex withdraws into its shell, gaining a +4 bonus to AC until it emerges. It can emerge as a bonus action on its turn.

Bible5e custom monster. Its specific traits supplement the current rules. See Using Bible5e Monsters.