In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the stegocentipede is a type of fictional monster.
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Publication history
The stegocentipede first appeared in the original Monster Manual II (1983).
Description
A stegocentipede is an 18-foot long centipede with back spines adding 1–2 feet to its height when erect. It has chitinous plates running along its length, which are in double rows which flatten against its back when it is not engaged in combat. A stegocentipede's color is from light brown to gray-brown. Each segment of its body has a pair of legs except for the tail segment, which is elongated and specialized. A stegocentipede hunts continually, rushing prey and seizing it in its huge mandibles, injecting poison with each bite. Its rear portion ends in a thinner, scorpion-like tail; this appendage is heavily armored at its terminus, effectively forming a ball-like club which can lash in any direction to strike opponents, and also contains poison. A stegocentipede raises its spine plates defensively and moves rapidly. The spiked plates at the front are such that any opponents attacking its head are subject to a horn attack.
Other publishers
The stegocentipede appeared in the Tome of Horrors (2002) from Necromancer Games.