Avolakia are loathsome creatures which appear as a pallid slug rearing upright, holding itself aloft on a carpet of thick tentacles, each one of which is tipped in a composite yellow eye. Its head is a tripartite maw, and eight limbs emerge from its midsection—four of them end in delicate hands, and four end in bony spurs.
The Avolakia are foul aberrations that feed on the undead and seek to accelerate the end of days. Despite their hideous appearances, which combine features of insects, slugs, octopus and worms, they possess genius-level intellects and often infiltrate humanoid societies in mortal guise. In their own society, they live in cramped warrens infested with the undead—they collect the corpses of monsters and megafauna and animate them as zombies to serve as guards and mobile larders. Avolakia eat frequently when they are able, and consider the flesh of the undead to be the finest of delicacies.
The Avolakia have ancient origins, and for millennia have been closely associated with both the ancient mysterious race of Spell-Weavers, and more recently, the cult of Kyuss. In humanoid form, they form cults and secret societies dedicated to the worship of Kyuss or false gods, siphoning the faith of mortals to empower the Worm-god. As humanoids, Avolakia are especially charming and persuasive in both magical and mundane ways, and their suggestions can reach the highest echelons of a culture. Avolakia disdain direct combat, preferring to surround themselves with an army of minions and supporting them with spells. If pressed into melee, they attack with a rasping bite dripping with mind-altering venom and their sharp, slashing claws.
An Avolakia is about ten feet long and weighs five hundred pounds in its natural form. They reek of mold and decay, and a yellowish slime oozes from their pores that protects them from fire and helps them squeeze into tight places. Their voices are guttural and slobbering.
