Maggot

Maggots are the larval form of the common housefly. They are found anywhere where death is prevalent and rotting meat can be found in abundance, but the ones around the Estate seem far larger and more aggressive than normal. Speculations abound as to why they have grown to immense size instead of pupating and maturing into flies. One possibility is that the corruption plaguing the Estate prevents them from maturing any further. Another is that feeding on the corpses left over from the Ancestor's experiments in Necromancy caused changes within them. Another, more horrific theory is that these giant maggots finally become some greater, unseen thing; the flies that the Maggot would create would make the mosquitos infesting the Courtyard look like houseflies themselves, and it's by the grace of the Light that they remain unknown. That, or they are known, but only to their victims, seconds before their end...

Whatever the reason, these carriers of filth and disease are forever trapped in their larval state; not that they seem to care. Their only motivation is to eat decaying flesh; should none be found nearby, they are more than willing to make their own...

Maggots can be found in the Ruins, the Weald and the Warrens, but not the Cove - perhaps the salt-soaked corpses of the Cove don’t agree with them or the rising tide sweeps them away. On the other hand, they've even crawled into the Courtyard, using their small size to slip through the iron bars of its enchanted gate to feed on the blood-drained cadavers of the Court’s past victims and the corpses of vampiric nobles that have died from hunger. Only slightly less omnipresent than the aura of unnatural evil pervading the Estate, a party of heroes must be prepared to squash these vile worms wherever they spawn.

Behavior
Due to their minor health pool and complete lack of protection, Maggots appear to be nothing more than a small and inconsequential obstacle during a quest. However, should one take them too lightly, they may find themselves becoming their next meal. Their sole ability, Grave Nibble, can be very dangerous; it completely ignores positioning (either the Maggot's or the target's), inflicts stress damage, has a reasonable critical hit chance (which can cause even more stress), can inflict stun, and worst of all, can potentially inflict a disease. The only good news is that this ability has rather poor accuracy.

On lower difficulties, Maggots appear in pairs or in groups of four. On high difficulties, they may be paired with Spitters or even a Ghoul. Dispatching these pests, while not very difficult, should be a high priority, lest they begin to build up stress on your heroes or inflict a debilitating and costly disease upon them. Their resistances range from mediocre to decent (save for a high Stun resistance), but their poor durability and lacking Dodge chance means that the best option is usually to just kill them with direct damage.

Trivia
There is a special achievement for having a hero killed by a Maggot, although noticing that may be difficult, given that in that situation your attention is likely to be diverted and your vision removed by a very justified facepalm.

Abilities
Apprentice =

Veteran =

Champion =

All Areas

 * Webber
 * Spitter
 * Ghoul