Jangjokchung 장족충

Tiny monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 27 (6d4 + 12)

Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., burrow 15 ft.

STR 8 (−1) · DEX 18 (+4) · CON 14 (+2) · INT 3 (−4) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 6 (−2)

Saving Throws Dex +6

Skills Perception: +4, Stealth +6, Survival +4

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non-magical attacks

Condition Immunities frightened, prone

Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 30 ft., passive Perception 14

Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Traits

Metal-Laced Carapace. The jangjokchung’s shimmering shell grants it advantage on saving throws against spells that target only it.

Treasure Sense. The jangjokchung automatically knows the direction to the largest contiguous mass of worked precious metal (coins, ingots, jewelry, etc.) within 120 feet and can pinpoint it if within 30 feet.

Skitter. The jangjokchung can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of its turns.

Harbinger of Fortune. A creature that peacefully observes a jangjokchung for at least 1 minute gains inspiration (DMG, p. 125) or one luck point (DMG, p. 167) usable within the next 24 hours. The jangjokchung grants this benefit only once per creature per day.

Actions

Multiattack. The jangjokchung makes two Needle Bites.

Needle Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 3 (1d4 + 1) poison damage.

Skewering Lunge (Recharge 5–6). The jangjokchung leaps up to 20 feet in a straight line, passing through the space of one creature it can see. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 10 (3d6) piercing damage and be poisoned until the end of its next turn. On a successful save, the target takes half damage and isn’t poisoned. The jangjokchung can enter the target’s space but cannot end its movement there.

Reactions

Chitin Flicker. When a ranged attack misses the jangjokchung, glints from its shell startle its attacker. The attacker must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

Lore

Subterranean insects that instantly relocate when discovered. Said to guard hidden treasures.

Jangjokchung (장족충) literally means “the long-legged insect.” In Korean folklore it is most often linked to Mt. Hwanggeumsan, the “Golden Mountain,” because that is where people claim to have seen it the most. One legend even says a dragon once lived in a cave inside the mountain and, over its long life, amassed an enormous hoard of treasure. It is that buried wealth—coins, relics, and rare artifacts—that draws Jangjokchung, which normally makes its nest underground.

No one really knows why the creature is attracted to precious metals and antiques. Some storytellers say it feeds on the energy or “aura” they give off, but reliable information is scarce.

From Korean Bestiary 5E, p. 70 · Fern Flower Press