Fallen Squamoid [Labyrinth Lord]

Fallen Squamoid (Blighted Barbaric Serpent People)
No. Enc.: 1d12 (3d12)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120'
Armor Class: 4
Hit Dice: 8
Attacks: 3 (weapon, tail-sweep, bite+poison)
Damge: By weapon/1d4 + 30% chance to trip bipeds (Save or fall)/1d6+poison
Save: F8
Morale: 6
Hoard Class: XXI
XP: 300

The Fallen Squamoids are the sad, last remnants of those serpent people enclaves that have reverted to barbarism in the aftermath of having been infected by virulent forms of fungi that have entirely infiltrated their bodies, genes and minds.

Any successful hit on a Fallen Squamoid with an edged weapon will result in a blood spatter with a 10' radius. Anyone caught within the spatter must roll a save or become infected with a variant form of cordyceptrian fungi that will inflict 1d4 damage every turn until removed/sterilized or until it reduces the new host to 0 hit points, at which time they become a living fungal host under the control and direction of a fresh new colony of the cordyceptrian fungus (re-roll INT, WIS, reduce CHAR by 1d6).

Fallen Squamoids are sometimes encountered in Tsan Yian. The Yuggothians tend to use them like disposable troops, sending them in massive waves against the ramparts of isolated colonies and estates that happen to be just outside the range of the nearest protection fleet or picket ship. (Terminal Space Stats).

Burners and Acidulist Sectarians have both taken up their own violent crusade to purge the Fallen Squamoids from Vhonj -- these extremist factions tend to view the Fallen as hateful mockeries and are enraged at their defilement of the sacred precincts of the ancient pilgrimage routes.

A cluster of Fallen Squamoids might have taken up residence in the third cistern-park in Wermspittle, but this is only a rumor...