Plants

Overview

Fae Origins

Dangerous plant creatures are not native to the mortal world. Most come from the realm of Faerie, migrating across the dimensional barrier through Shallowings and then naturalizing. Regions inhabited by the fey typically have monstrous plant species in residence, and such monsters are common around Shallowings and portals. Because monstrous plants are innately supernatural, they are a ready source of reagents and mystical materials.

Ambush Predators

Predatory plants are usually slow and catch their prey with camouflage and lures. Because of this, plant creatures instinctively wait around blind corners and locations that are difficult to avoid or affect at range. Spotting a plant monster is problematic because it looks like the surrounding foliage. ALL plant monsters have the innate ability to change their appearance over time to match the surrounding topography. In civilized areas, this leads to widespread fear and paranoia.

Trap Physiology

Plant creatures often have autonomic means of attack, meaning they lash out mechanically when prey touches them or comes within range. These abilities are treated as traps. If a plant creature initiates combat by successfully trapping a target, it automatically secures the highest initiative in the ensuing battle — whatever initiative other participants roll, assume the monster is one point higher. This prevents players from potentially acting twice before the beast can act in the following round. If unable to use this ability, most plant monsters have poor initiative.

Pyrophobia

Plant monsters do not like fire. Open flame is often enough to deter weaker specimens from attacking, and potent plant creatures often fly into a rage and attack creatures that employ fire.