FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Wilderness Mountains], [Temperate Wilderness Hills], [Temperate Wilderness Forest], [Temperate Wilderness Swamp], [Temperate Wilderness Plains])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Wilderness Desert])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Tropical Wilderness Mountains], [Tropical Wilderness Hills], [Tropical Wilderness Forest])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Tropical Wilderness Swamp], [Tropical Wilderness Plains], [Tropical Wilderness Desert])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Dungeon Level VII])
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 3/6
MOVE: 15"
HIT DICE: 9
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 and 1 ~ 12
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-8 and 3-12
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Poison
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Spine armor
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (18' long)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VII | 1700 + 12

SAVES: (8).11.12.13.13.14

It is probable that stegocentipedes developed on some far removed para||el world || were the creation of some insane genetic manipulator.
In either case, it is fortunate that these monsters are infrequently
encountered.
Although stegocentipedes are adaptable to both temperate and tropical conditions,
they find nearly any habitat suitable. They tend to be sterile.

The chitinous plates running along the stegocentipede's spine give it AC 3 in most (75%) combat situations.
Its greater weight and legless tail portion make it move somewhat slower than others of its Kind.

The monster hunts continually, rushing prey and seizing it in its huge
mandibles.

Poison: Poison is injected with each bite, and saving throws are applicable.

The rear portion of the stegocentipede ends in a thinner,
scorpion-like tail. This appendage is heavily armored at its terminus,
effectivelyforming a ball-like club which can lash 6feet in any direction
to strike opponents. Worse still, this weapon also contains poison.
Victims struck by the tail must save vs. poison or be slain. If they are not
slain, they take 3-12 points of damage.

The stegocentipede raises its spine plates defensively and moves
rapidly. The spiked plates at the front are such that any opponents
attacking the creature's head are themselves subject to what is effectively
a horn attack. If the attack is successful, (normal to-hit roll
needed), it inflicts 1-6 HP damage. Note that up to 3 attackers can
be subject to this defense attack due to the stegocentipede's rapid
defensive motions.

Stegocentipedes are about 2 feet high with back spines adding another
1 to 2 feet when erect. The chitinous plates are in double rows which
flatten along the creature's backwhen it is not engaged in combat. Color
is from light brown to gray-brown; green specimens have been reported.
Each segment of a stegocentipede's body has a pair of legs except for the
tail segment, which is elongated and specialized.