Spawn of Kyuss

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Greyhawk creature
Spawn of Kyuss
Art by Peter Berting, (2005).
Art from Volo's Guid to Monsters (5e).
Art by Tom Baxa, 2010.
Art by Brian Snoddy, 2002.
Art by Russ Nicholson, 1981.
Also called: Son of Kyuss
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Size: Medium
Type: Undead
Patron Deity: Kyuss
First appearance: Fiend Folio (1981)

A spawn of Kyuss,[1] is also known as a son of Kyuss[2] (plural: sons of Kyuss[3][4]). "spawn of Kyss" is sometimes used as a collective term for all of the undead monstrosities created by the Worm that Walks, of which the Son of Kyuss is but one.[5] They are type of undead capable of quickly spreading its condition by infecting other creatures with worms.[1]

Description[edit]

In the dark or from a distance, spawn of Kyuss resemble ordinary zombies, and "are often (75%) mistaken for them when seen from a distance."[3]

Physical appearance[edit]

With close inspection, however, reveal its corpse is covered in withering worms.[1][3]

"Putrid flesh hangs loosely from their bones. Their skulls are completely devoid of skin, with only a few strands of hair and fungus remaining. Most revolting of all, writhing green worms crawl in and out of every skull orifice. Their clothing is usually filthy, tattered rags, but recent converts occasionally have fine garments." [3]

Personality[edit]

A spawn of Kyuss is different from an ordinary zombie in that the soul of the original creature remains trapped inside its body. The soul remains awake and aware of its situation, a knowledge that invariably drives the spawn to insanity.[1][3][6]

Abilities[edit]

Spawn of Kyuss are terrifying to behold. In some editions, the spawn have a magical aura of fear surrounding them. (30ft)[2][3][6]

Combat[edit]

In combat, spawn of Kyuss primarily use their claws as weapons, as well as their worms. Worms which successfully land on a living creature quickly burrow through the skin and start eating their way into it. A sufficiently proliferative infection of worms is capable of killing a creature in a matter of seconds. A few minutes after death, the corpse rises as a new spawn.[1][2]

Spawn of chaos are incredibly difficult to harm, because they have the extraordinary ability to heal bizarrely quickly. They have fast healing In early editions, suffering injuries from a spawn of Kyuss can result in a victim contracting advanced leprosy,[2] though in later editions, this is changed to suffering a flesh-rotting disease known as "Kyuss' Gift".[3][5][6]

History[edit]

Kyuss created the first spawn by plundering corpses from necropolises during the time when he was mortal. They are seen as expressions of Orcus's intent to turn all life into undeath. Long after Kyuss's death, his zombies continued to spread his infection.[1]

Before spawn of Kyuss were known of, they first appeared in the Rift Canyon. Adventurers who explored there reported them for the first time. Kyuss spawn became so numerous, and multiplied so rapidly, the 15-mile long Wormcrawl Fissure became known for being their origin.[7]

"The Leprous Chronicles tell of the Age of Worms and the final days before squirming legions annihilate the living. Scribed by the prophet Corbius, who dwelled in seclusion on the Island of Fear, the legend holds that the world will be devoured by an endless hunger, and all that now lives shall be dead and yet walk the world in twisted, writhing forms. Corbius claimed to have witnessed apocalyptic events revealed to him by a dark angel from the endless heavens. One figure dominates his ravings: Kyuss. If the portents are right, an endless swarm of Kyuss's undead will overrun the strongholds of the living, casting the world into an endless night. Who can say what kingdoms might have already fallen on the borders of the known world? The Age of Worms could already be near." [5]

The journals of Anadan the Reader are another first-hand account of the spawn of Kyuss. Anadan was "an enthusiastic member of the crusading knights known as the "Scions of the Hate", and he chronicled accounts of "no fewer than seven undead breeds."[8] It is a terrifying read, as it details the death of his group's death, his conversion into a spawn of Kyuss, and ultimately—his death.[9]

Appearances[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. a b c d e f Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016), p.192.
  2. a b c d Fiend Folio (1981), p.83.
  3. a b c d e f g MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix (1990), s.v. Kyuss, Son of.
  4. "Editorial: The answers (sort of) at last!".  Dragon #169 (May 1991), p.6.
  5. a b c Monster Manual 3 (2010), p.180.
  6. a b c Living Greyhawk Journal #1 (Sep 2000), p.23.  
  7. "Ecology of the Spawn of Kyuss".  Dragon #336 (Oct 2005), p.62.
  8. "Ecology of the Spawn of Kyuss".  Dragon #336 (Oct 2005), p.60.
  9. "Ecology of the Spawn of Kyuss".  Dragon #336 (Oct 2005), p.60-61.

Bibliography[edit]

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Index is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, and his work as continued and updated by Eric Johnson, Richard DiIoia, Jason "PupickDad" Jacobson, a French fan group, and numerous other fans over the years. The wiki page for the EGI has a list of sources, full product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Kyuss, Sons of Monster LT2 Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad 34
Kyuss, Sons of Monster Fiend Folio, AD&D 1e 83
Kyuss, Sons of Monster From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 69
Kyuss, Sons of Monster From the Ashes: References Card #11
Kyuss, Sons of Monster I7 Baltron's Beacon 29
Kyuss, Sons of Monster Living Greyhawk Journal #1 23-24
Kyuss, Sons of Monster Living Greyhawk Journal #5 22
Kyuss, Sons of Monster Monstrous Compendium - 1996 Annual, Volume 3 69
Kyuss, Sons of Monster MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix Insert (Kyuss, Son of), Encounter Tables
Kyuss, Sons of Monster Return of the Eight 17
Kyuss, Sons of Monster 1993 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set 116
Kyuss, Sons of Monster The Scarlet Brotherhood 67, 70, 71
Kyuss, Sons of Monster WGR3 Rary the Traitor 27
Kyuss, Sons of Monster WGR5 Iuz the Evil 78