Blood Thorne

These are some of the dangerous plants that reside in my world. They can be hidden virtually anywhere both in cities, jungles or along the ceilings of abandoned buildings.  Many of these plants are cultivated by druids to secure locations, others just infest an area and never let go.

Blood Thorne
N (E) Medium Plant
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent, tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +5

DEFENSE

AC 13 touch 13, flat-footed 10 (+5 Dex, +14 natural, -2 size)
hp 19hp (2d10+4)
Fort +5, Ref +1,Will +4

OFFENSE

Speed 0 ft.
Melee Grapple +5 (1d6+2)*
Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks Camoflage, Blood Drain

STATISTICS

Str 15, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 5, Wis 13, Cha 3
Base Atk +4 CMB +4 CMD 13
Feats Improved Initiative, Great Fortitude
Skills Perception +20; Stealth +13 (+8 bonus from camoflage special attack feature; +15 bonus from tremor sense)

ECOLOGY

Environment Any Forest or Urban area
Organization solitary
Treasure Incidental (gems or coins fallen in the dirt)
Advancement 3-12 HD (Medium); 13-20 (Large)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Larger versions have 1 vine tentacle attack for every 5 HD. (2 HD = 1 ATk, 5 HD = 2 ATKs, 10 HD = 3 ATKS, etc).  Blood Thornes never attack the same victim with more than one vine.

Blood Drain: Once a Blood Thorne attacks, assume it has grappled their victim, they will continue to drain their victim every round

Increase Damage based on HD Size (2 HD = 1d4 dmg, 5 HD = 1d8 dmg, 10 HD = 1d12 dmg)

Camouflage: Knowledge (Plant) DC 16 to spot a Blood Thorne from more than ten feet away.

Vines have an AC the same as the base plant and hp equal to HD X 2, these hit points are only for the vine and does not affect the primary body

Appear as common vines with very small red berries found inside sharp thornes. Found through-out warm forests, especially on old buildings. These vines are actually a sinister variety of thornes that seek flesh to feed upon a creature's blood.  Anytime flesh comes within five feet, the thorne lashes out, trying to wrap around the flesh to feed upon. If it is successful,  it wraps around and continues to drain blood.

While most building owners try to weed these creatures out of their area, others actively encourage these plant creatures as it is a great way to discourage others from climbing or trying to break into a building. The small reddish berries have a very sharp flavour that can be used to make a potent wine, it's a very slow and dangerous

These sentient plants develop a connection with humanoids that they regularly see and interact with. One needs to make a DC 15 Knowledge - Plants  or Profession - Farmer (15) to know how to interact with them. Druids often plant these seeds in abandoned buildings to discourage settlers if the area is violent. Many of these are trained not to attack if a specific password or action is taken.

Advanced & Superior Petitioner

One of the planar creatures I enjoy using is the petitioner, a mortal that has died and are en route to their version of heaven but they get stuck in someplace in between. I really like the thematic idea of a place between the heavens and the mortal plane. That's why I created the Elder World, which is where petitioners (and many others) reside in my game reality. These are the more advanced versions of petitioners found in the core books.

A Not so Final Destination

When intelligent creatures die, if they are not yet ready to enter their final destination to the heaven of their beliefs, most are reborn in the afterlife as petitioners, preparing for when they are ready. What is much less recognized is that for some beings this becomes a preferred existence and they continue to grow, learn and exude their faith but never commit to going to their final destination.

While most reborn into this stage remain just for a short time, for a very few petitioners have key positions that they or their sponsors want them to continue especially if the "greater cause" would suffer if the current holder would leave. These rare few are bound to remain in their position for indefinite periods and can gain in stature and power. Nobody can truly fathom why some petitioners stay in their role for a lifetime or more but those who are are truly devoted to the cause and cannot be swayed from their personal divine path.

At the moment of their creation, most petitioners have no memories of their past mortal existence. A few may have a flash of one point of their lives but the advanced ones remember much more of their mortal lives simply because the more they exist, the more chances they have to remember. Some grey-beards believe memories are stained into a soul and can be reawakened with specific actions. 

Their appearance matches the description found for the general petitioner entry in Bestiary 2, but since they are rediscovering their former existence small features of who they once were begin to bleed into who they are now.

Most petitioners in the Outer-Lands are rural folk as there are few large communities, their roles are to help the departed reach their final goal as they try to find how to do the same. Advanced and Superior Petitioners are very different, having individual and unique roles required by both the plane, citizens, visitors and even the faithful. They do not have to attack or prevent others from travelling thru or interacting with their common brethren, only if the opposition is preventing the faithful from moving onto their next destination - that is the only absolute crime in the Elder-Lands.

While petitioners have various viewpoints and alignments they are rarely enemies with each other, even if a different alignment. However they are usually defensive when outer Planar beings visit, they need to balance distinct allegiances. Their task is to help newly reborn find their place in the afterlife, they are mentors and guides but rarely actually leave their communities.

All petitioners start as the Low or Basic petitioner, and then through service they may advance in levels which eventually means they attain a higher level of performance. They keep their primary appearance but become more angelic (or demonic if appropriate) gaining wings, halo, golden glow and divine weapons or tools as fits their status and power.

As unliving creatures, they can be turned, but not in the Outer-Lands. While they are immortal creatures they can be killed, and some believe that this is their point when their soul is pushed towards the higher level plane.

Advanced Petitioner

Type                           Medium Outsider                   

AC                             18         (+3 natural, +2 Dex, +3 light armour)

HD                             5                                              

Saves                         Fort     +3        Ref      +3        Will   +0

Init                             +5                                           

Speed                        40 ft                                       

BAB                         CMB               CMD              

Melee                          Range             

Special Attacks           Memory Flood, 3rd level Summon Once/day                                  

Special Defenses         Dmg Reduction 5/+1, Immune to Mind Effecting affects,   

Skills                           Craft, Knowledge (Any 2) +10, Perception, Sense Motive Survival +12

Typical Feats               Dodge, Mobility, Cleave, Imp Bull Rush, Iron Will  

Attribute Boons: Arrange boons +3,+2 X 2, +1 X 3
Str       14        Con     16        Dex     15       

Int       12        Wis      14        Cha      13

Environment                       Elder World

Organisation                       2-8 (when on a mission), 1-2 with 11-30 least petitioners

Treasure                              Half Typical

Typical Roles: librarian, soldier, guide, watcher, sneak, historian. 

Spells:   Bless, Sanctuary, Holy Word 3/week, Commune (1/day)

Petitioner Lesser - Memory Flood, Summon, Imitation, 40 skill points, 4 Feats, 13 SR, 5 HD

Memory Flood: Petitioners spend a second lifetime (or longer) learning about their own and other beings histories, so they have a wealth of memories and history to call upon. Three times a day they can infuse good or negative memories to enable others a + / - 4 to any roll for creatures they can see. There is no saving throw to avoid the affect but magic resistance can prevent it.This is a near instant affect, for example, if someone was attacking the petitioner they could flood the foe with feelings of weakness and failure, and it would affect their next attack roll. They can also do this to discourage foes, by making them forget key facts thus hoping they will lose focus.

Summon: Able to call a 1-2 HD native creature to assist them in running errands or contact allies

Skill Imitation: If they are near someone with a higher skill level than them (swimming, climbing, hiding, etc) they can imitate the expert, gaining half of the experts base skill. Do not use bonuses from higher attribute bonus or magic bonuses to determine the skill boost. They can do this five times a day. 

Bathed in the waters of the Pure, cleansed and pure, these are pure souls dedicated to a specific purpose, guiding the newly dead to their ultimate destination. Each newly dead soul has a path that they must find and take, but it is unique to them. It usually takes days or months before a petitioner finds their own way.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   

Superior Petitioner

AC                  20                    (+7 natural, +3 Dex)  

HD                  14                                            

Saves               Fort     +7        Ref      +7        Will   +5

Init                  +5                                           

Speed              40 ft                                       

BAB                CMB               CMD              

Melee                                      Range             

Special Attacks           Memory Flood (5/day), 6th level Summon     **                   

Special Defenses         Dmg Reduction 15 /+2, SR 21, Immune to Mind Influencing affects

Skills                           Acrobatics, Intimidate, Knowledge (Any 3) +15, Perception, Sense Motive,                                               Stealth +12

Typical Feats                Dodge, Mobility, Cleave, Imp Bull Rush, Iron Will  

Typical Boons:              Str       18        Con     19        Dex     17       

                                      Int       14        Wis      18        Cha     16 (24 to petitioners of their faith)

Environment                       Elder World

Organisation                       1, 2-4 (when on a mission), 1-2 with 11-30 least petitioners

Treasure                              Triple Typical

|Superior petitioners are often the souls of adventurers who have become apart of the heavenly missions for a long time. They have served for such a long time many do not know how to let go of this part of their existence. Their main goal is hunting down and stopping impediments for souls to get to their final destinations. They are leaders of their kind, and have incredible influence among petitioners. Good aligned ones are often mistaken for angels, as they may have wings, halo, etc. 

Spells: As 8th level cleric, DC 15+ spell level,

Spells Known: Sanctuary, Bless, Bestow Curse, Dispel Magic, Charm Monster, Dimension Door, Discern Lies, Hold Person;  Commune (3/day); Open Magical Portal 1/day & Holy Word 2 /day

Greater Memory Flood: As Advanced Petitioner but 7 times a day at +/- 6

Higher Skill Imitation: As Advanced Petitioner but 7 times a day and matches the experts bonus
Summon: Able to call a 5 HD native creature to assist them in running errands or contact allies

75 skill points, 7 Feats, 21 SR, 10 HD

Dexo-Pus, Sentient, 10 tentacled Octopus variant

I was originally going to call this creature the Hexopus but then realized that this was the greek base for six, not ten. While I still kinda like that sound better, I'm gonna stick with the Dexo. Think of this as a sentient, kinda nasty, octopus creature, with fully capable tentacles. As they age, they learn to utilize more of their tentacles in combat.

Dexopus

N Medium Aberration
Init +1 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0

 DEFENSE

AC 12 touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex)
hp 13hp (2d8+4 con)
Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +3

 OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., Swim 40 ft.
Melee Tentacle +4 (1d4+1)
Ranged Spear +4 (d6)
Hindrance: -1 on constitution checks / saves if they do not bathe once a day

 STATISTICS

Str 12, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 9
Base Atk +1 CMB +2 CMD 13
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Escape Artist +6, Swim +12, Climb +3; Racial Modifiers +2 Escape Artist, +4 Swim
Languages Lizardith
Other Gear Net, Spear or other hunting items

 ECOLOGY

Environment Any non desert
Organization   Pool (2-4) or Pod (20-80)
Treasure Value  Average (Coins or gems)

 SPECIAL ABILITIES

The Dexopus is a cunning creature capable of using complex tactics. It appears the same as their water-based, animal kin the octopus, except it has ten tentacles and is either red, pink or orange in colour. Their tentacles are approximately ten feet in length, but they use most of it for their height which mirrors a five foot tall humanoid.

Like their ocean kin they are incredible swimmers, most are just as good on land and many have fantastic climbing abilities. Enemies often believe they are solely water-based, but this is not true, they only need to soak themselves in water for one hour a day, and many pods are in the mountains or forests, so they are not actually bound to oceans.

Just the same as many creatures, they desire wealth and magic, if they can do so through peaceful means, like commerce. If not, they are willing to take any risks necessary. They make allies with like-minded creatures, equally willing to partner with humanoids or monsters for mutual defense. Though not violent, they are aggressive beings, as they look for ways to increase their influence. Since much magic and money are found underground, that's where the dexopus tends to settle down. They sometimes welcome other aberrations into their communities - especially those gifted with magic.

Lizardith is one of the most utilized languages in my game world. Lizard Men are highly intelligent and virtually control large portions of the under-earth caverns, sharing and competing with Dwarf for food & resources. The Dexopus often have small pod towns in warm caverns, but are more likely to be competitors than allies with the Lizard Men.

HD Advancement
3 HD +5 in skills; Gain 1 Feat; +1 in Natural AC
4 HD +2 to any attribute; +5 in skills, Multiattack
5 HD Gain 1 Feat; +5 in skills; +1 in Natural AC, Increase Tentacle Damage
6 HD +2 to any attribute; +5 in skills; Perfect Climb
7 HD +1 in Natural AC; Gain 1 Feat,  Gain additional tentacle attack (3rd attack using tentacle)
8 HD +2 to any attribute, Increase Tentacle Damage
9 HD +1 in Natural AC; +5 in skills; Gain 1 Feat, Increase Tentacle Damage
10 HD +4 to any two attributes; +10 in skills, +3 in Natural AC, Gain additional tentacle attack (4th tentacle  attack), Gain 2 Feat

A Dex-o-Pus normally advances through this table. If they take a level in any class, they are unable to advance any further on this table. Most members of their pod advance using the HD table below, but some members pick rogue, ranger or sorcerer class. Most of their leaders are usually sorcerers who have gained 2-4 levels.

Ink Cloud A dex-o-pus can emit a 10-foot-radius sphere of ink once per hour as a free action. The ink provides total concealment for one round and a 50% chance of missing with aimed attacks and a 25% chance with physical attacks for another two rounds. Some Dexopusi specialize with ink clouds, they are able to increase either the length of time the cloud will increase vision.

Sticky Tentacles (Ex): Their tentacles have small suckers that enable a powerful sticky capacity if it is able to latch on to someone or something. Add +6 bonus on CMD if holding on to someone.

Perfect Climb: As long as they have eight or more tentacles touching a wall or ceilings, treat as they are affected by the Spider Climb Spell, so they never fall unless forced down. They can attack no more than once if also maintaining their grip to climb, or twice if they are simply standing still.

Increase Tentacle Dmg: 1-4 HD: 1d4 dmg; 5-7 HD 1d6 dmg, 8 HD 1d8 dmg, 9 HD 1d10 dmg, 10 HD 2d12 dmg

Rolling Vine

These plant creatures appear to be bundles of vines all round-up and wound together, forming a plant ball, which rolls along the plains or any (somewhat) flat surface. What few creatures realize is these are in fact semi-sentient plant creatures, and can be quite menacing if threatened.

Roller or Rolling Vine

N Small Plant
Init +3 Senses Low-light vision; Perception +6

 DEFENSE

AC 16 touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 19 hp (3d8+6 con)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +1
Defensive Abilities Immune mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep, polymorph, stunning

 OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
Base Attack +2, CMB +2 CMD 15
Melee Ball +4 (1d4+1) (bash, or bite)
Special Attacks Entrap

 STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 5, Wis 10, Cha 5
Base Atk +3 CMB +5 CMD 17 / +29 to avoid being tripped, bull rushed, etc
Feats Deep Roots, Skill Bonus +4 Perception
Skills +5 Perception , +12 Stealth; +4 Stealth bonus if planted outside
Languages Druid or Fae (Understand spoken, but they cannot read or speak)

 ECOLOGY
Environment    Any Forest or plains
Organization   Pod (11 - 20)
Treasure Value  Incidental

 SPECIAL ABILITIES

Entrap - these rolling webbed balls try to bite anything that moves towards them, if their attack hits treat as being webbed. Small creatures that have grabbed a creature inflict a -2 attack or saving throw penalty if they bite onto the upper body. If they bite the lower region, they inflict a cumulative 20% reduction in speed. They continue to bite, inflicting damage until the creature collapses, then they release them.

Rollers look like an artificial device, similar to a vine or branch that has been twisted to have a rounded appearance. In fact, these are a semi-sentient plant that forms itself into a ball, so it can roll for both transportation and to roll away in a defensive action.  Normally they are spread out against the ground, somewhat similar to a starfish sunning themselves, but when any creature or potential threat nears them, they ball up and roll themselves away. If they or their allies are threatened, rather than roll away,  they head towards the danger, attempting to trap their opponent.

They can build up quite the speed from rolling down a hill, these plants have tiny tendrils all over their bodies, they use these to push themselves to gather speed or even climb up surfaces, albeit very slowly.

What many creatures are not aware of, that like many other plants is that Rollers never stop growing, so that these much smaller creatures are common, there are much larger, stronger, faster and keener.

HD         Spd               Size                  Base Atk                    Dmg                 Attr              Skill                                                                                                         Bonus              Bonus            Bonus
3                  30                  Small                   +4 1d6+2                 +0 +6
6                  30                  Small                   +6 1d6+2                 +3 +12
9                  40                  Medium +9 1d8+2                 +6 +27
12                40                  Medium +12 1d10+2               +9 +36
15+              50                  Large                  +15 2d8+4 +15 +60

For both attribute bonus and skill bonus, apply as desired but avoid putting more than half their bonus bump in any one attribute score.