Originally Posted by
zergling.exe
The table places the Worm that Walks creature at ECL 27, with 23 HD it has 4 LA from somewhere, and as as 23rd level Wizard, they must come from the template. Keep in mind that the ELH also uses 3.0 LA that includes RHD. (I think, the example uses +25 LA to make a 26th level character but also uses a creature with 32 RHD as the base) So a Worm that Walks may even have +27 LA by RAW.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the only monster actually with official LA in the entire ELH is the Mercane.