In terms of history the adherer first appeared as the gluey in White Dwarf #7 (June/July 1978). Subsequently it appeared in the AD&D Fiend Folio (1979) and then the second edition Fiend Folio Monstrous Compendium supplement (1992).
Below I have converted the adherer for 5E Dungeons & Dragons:
ADHERER
Medium humanoid, lawful evil
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Armor Class 15
Hit Points 58 (4d8 +26)
Speed 30
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STR 18 (+4)
DEX 14 (+2)
CON 15 (+2)
INT 14 (+2)
WIS 10 (+0)
CHR 10 (+0)
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Saving Throws Str +2
Damage Resistances acid, bludgeoning and slashing
Damage Vulnerabilities fire and magic missile
Damage Immunities Non fire cantrips and 1st level spells (except magic missile)
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, intoxicated, prone
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +4
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages nil
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
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Dungeon Camouflage. The adherer has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made while underground.
Effect on objects: Any non stone object striking the adherer automatically sticks to it. As an action a character may attempt to remove a stuck object (Athletics DC 22).
ACTIONS
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Multiattack. The adherer makes two fist attacks.
Adhesion Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d3+ 5) bludgeoning damage plus the target is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, takes 7 (2d6) acid damage per round and the adherer cannot use that fist on another target. That being said, the adherer can now use the target as an involuntary shield. This provides half cover (+2 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws) using small to medium targets and three-quarters cover (+5 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws) using large targets.
BACKGROUND
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This curious creature bears a close resemblance to a mummy – man sized and with loose folds of dirty white skin which appear on first sight to be a mummy's bandages. Coincidentally, the creature is just as vulnerable to fire as is a mummy do to a resinous solvent in its body fluids.
It is immune to damage from all first level spells (accept magic missile – see above). The creature's skin constantly exudes a sour-smelling glue-like substance with very powerful adhesive properties; any material except stone will adhere to it. Only fire, boiling water, mighty strength or the creature's own voluntary secretions will break the adhesion. Thus any weapon which hits the creature will adhere to it as well. The adhesive properties of the secretion wear off in 10 rounds after the adherer is killed.
Usually the adherer will catch its prey by waiting in ambush, camouflaging itself by rolling in dirt, sticks, and leaves and then artfully arranging larger pieces of debris to conceal its form. Any prey (regardless of size) passing near its 'hideout' will trigger its attack response and the adherer will pounce on the closest target, attempting to hit and to cling with bulldog-like tenacity until the prey expires. However, if it is spotted and attacked before any potential prey has come into pouncing range (with missile fire or sometimes even loud noises); it will become confused and make a hasty retreat.
Boiling water (or boiling liquid of other types) will cause the adherer 1-3 hit points of damage if a sizeable quantity is thrown over the creature and inhibit its adhesive properties for the subsequent melee round. The adherer’s taste for prey is wide-ranging and it will usually attack, given a suitable opportunity. The only exception to this is the spider - the adherer will never attack a spider of whatever variety and sometimes it has been known to co-operate with them in trapping prey.
Despite its appearance, the adherer is not an undead creature.
Fiend Folio 1979 |
White Dwarf #7 1978 |
Fiend Folio Monstrous Compendium 1992 |