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Shadow Vine (Mature) CR: 3

Large corrupted plant, any
Armor Class: 10 (Natural Armour)
Hit Points: 57 (7d10+22)
Speed: 0 ft , fly: 0 ft , burrow: 0 ft , swim: 0 ft , climb: 0 ft

STR

18 +4

DEX

3 -4

CON

16 +3

INT

4 -3

WIS

12 +1

CHA

8 -1

Damage Vulnerabilities: Radiant
Damage Resistances: Lightning, Bludgeoning
Damage Immunities: Psychic, Poison
Condition Immunities: Blinded, Deafened, Prone, Unconscious.
Senses: Blindsight: The Shadow Vine can perceive its surroundings without relying on sight, within a 10 foot radius centered on itself.
Challenge Rating: 3

1/day: Mind Fog: In an attempt to fend off hostile creatures or perceived threats, this plant may use its energy reserves to exude a poisonous fog-like mist around it (15 ft radius), that lingers in the air around it for 20 seconds unless cleared. Any creature that starts or ends its turn within this mist must succeed on a Constitution saving roll (DC 12). On a failed save, the creature becomes Shadowed.   While in combat, unaffected creatures have advantage on attacks made against the vine for one round following the use of this ability, and the vine has disadvantage on attacks made against other creatures for the same duration.


Thorns: Should a creature touch or make an unarmed attack against the vines, they take 1d4 damage.

Actions

Multiattack: This vine makes 3 attacks with its tendrils, and may attempt to grapple a creature within range.   Tendrils: The vine lash out wildly in an attempt to hit a nearby creature. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 25 ft., one creature. Hit: (1d6+3) bludgeoning damage.   Grapple: The vine attempts to grapple a target they can sense as long as it has at least one tendril free. Target creature must succeed on a DC 12 Acrobatics or Athletics check to avoid the constricting vines. On a failed save, the creature is grappled. Until the grapple ends, the target is restrained and has disadvantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws, and the Shadow Vine can't use the same tendril on another target.   A grappled creature may make a Strength check (DC 14) to escape the grapple at the beginning of their turn and takes 1d4 piercing damage from the vines thorns on an unsuccessful attempt.

Reactions

So long as the Shadow vine has at least one free tendril, it may make a melee attack against a creature that is physically in contact with it.   Constrict: Should a creature be grappled by it, the Shadow Vine may further constrict a grappled creature that struggles and fails to escape the grapple.   Each time the Shadow Vine constricts a grappled creature, the escape DC increases by 1 (to a max of 16).

Appearance:   Shadow Vines can grow to look almost identical to local vining flora in the regions within which they root and grow. Once a Shadow Vine reaches maturity and has absorbed enough energy from its host, it begins growing flowers or fruits which are camouflaged to blend in with those of the host species, in order to release and spread its seeds.   While they look almost identical to local flora, a careful observer may be able to spot them for their slightly darker, purple-tinged hues and veins. These differences are much harder to spot in dimly lit areas and during the darker hours of the day.   Especially observant magic users may be able to detect the impure magical energy they release, especially in locations where many of these plants may be growing or establishing.  
Behaviour:   Shadow Vines are attracted to areas with strong magical sources and energy. As such, they are most often found in areas with a high concentration of magical energy. Given their parasitic tendencies, most try to kill these plants while they are young, before they can root, establish, and become a nuisance.   As a young plant, Shadow Vines are semi-mobile; capable of drifting or 'dragging' themselves in one direction at a time. Should they detect a source of magic, they will move towards it and establish themselves by burrowing their roots into the ground, where they coil and harden into a dense, protected bulb with many reaching limbs over time. Once a Shadow Vine has rooted, it is stationary and no longer able to drift. If the plant is unable to find a source of energy within two weeks of spouting, it will slowly wither and die.   Shadow Vines in particular have been known to coil around trees and other natural sources of magical energy, where they absorb the hosts magical energy. As they absorb the hosts magic, they release an excess as impure magic. With enough of these parasitic plants left unchecked in an area, a region may slowly become a place of corrupted magic.   These plants are relatively easy to kill when they are small, but grow progressively stronger and more problematic the larger they grow. Anyone familiar with these plants know that it is best to destroy them while they are young, before they can fully establish or mature.

Suggested Environments

Magic rich forests, swamps, and caves.


Created by

Midori Ookami.

Statblock Type

Monster

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