This NPC has often died to large groups of rock worms before I even have the chance to attack him! While I understand the Worm Pits can be a dangerous place, perhaps he could be afforded some level of protection?
A single point of damage reduction, or percentage of damage resistance, is sure to keep him alive without staving off would-be bandits.
"Large," numerically speaking, means "three to four."
As a quirk of the AI given to it, the Worminger also tends to prefer triggering attacks of opportunity rather than fight for his life against the annelid menace.
Unintended. Should be more open for personal engagements now.