Scarab-Plague Mummy (Basic Lore)

Scarab-Plague Mummy (Villain; CR 17)
Lawful Evil - Medium - Undead
This creature possesses the Villain role, and therefore counts as 4 monsters for purposes of encounter size, XP award, and treasure. This monster frequently has the Villain role, but may be set to other roles if desired. Mummies are undead remnants of fallen kings, lesser gods, and greater spirits, whose bodies have been preserved in such a way as to maliciously entrap their souls. This entrapment leaves the spirit in a state of eternal torment and agony. As a result, all mummies possess a rage that rivals the most abused demon or maligned dragon, as well as making them just a little bit insane. Despite this boundless fury and dangerously-impaired sanity, mummies seek to expand their kingdoms and subjugate masses of new followers and worshipers, preferably after turning all of these followers into undead. Their need to command and rule outlives their bodies and follows them into unlife. Most mummies, in fact, commanded their mummification as their final edict in life, knowing that eternal torment would follow, but also knowing they could perpetuate their rule for all eternity. Mummies tend to play the long game, using their immortality to their advantage. The plots and dealings of a mummy can be felt across continents, but usually after decades or centuries of planning, subtle moves, and sly inveiglements into the lives and societies of those they would corrupt. Anyone who has tangled with a mummy, or heard legends of their terrors, has also heard of their curse. All mummies can bestow a curse upon their foes, but each mummy's curse is different, with one exception: cursed foes can be used to fuel the mummy's own health if the mummy sustains too much damage. Scarab-plague mummies are especially foul specimens of mummies, having allowed their body to become host to a nearly-limitless swarm of scarab beetles. These beetles explode out of the mummy as it fights, attacking all who would dare challenge their master. The scarabs have a unique metabolism, in that they can lie dormant within the mummy for many years without needing to feed on anything other than the mummy itself. Scarab-Plague Mummys are frequently associated with Jade Scarab Swarms. These creatures can often be found together.