Archer Bush

This creature looks like a small mound of brownish-green leaves. From its trunk sprout several thick branches, each covered sparsely with leaves, and each sporting rows of needle-like thorns. The leaves have small pale buds of gold and purple.

Archer Bush (CR 2)

Small Plant
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +0
Senses: Tremorsense 60 feet; Perception +0

Speed: 10 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 14, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+3 natural, +1 size)
Hit Points: 21 (3d8+9)
Saving Throws: Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +1
Immunity: plant traits

Offense

Melee:
Reach: 5 feet
Ranged: thorns +4 (1d8)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
11 (+0)	10 (+0)	16 (+3)	2 (-4)	11 (+0)	9 (-1)

Base Attack Bonus: +2
CMB +1
CMD 11 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Skill Focus (Stealth), Weapon Focus (thorns)

Skills: Stealth +13

Languages:

Special Abilities

Thorns (Ex)

An archer bush can loose a cluster of needlesharp thorns at a single target within 20 feet as a standard action. An opponent hit by the thorns takes 1d8 points of piercing damage. Further, the target takes a -1 circumstance penalty on attack rolls, saves, and checks until the thorns are removed (full-round action to remove the thorns).

Ecology

Environment: Any Underground
Organization: solitary, patch (4-8), or colony (11-20)
Treasure: none


The archer bush is a subterranean, semi-mobile plant that gains sustenance from the blood of living creatures. Hidden beneath its trunk is the archer bush's mouth, which appears to be nothing more than a dark recess or cavity.

An archer bush attacks by firing a cluster of thorns at any creature that comes within 20 feet of its location.

Credit The Archer Bush originally appeared in the module B3 Palace of the Silver Princess (© TSR/Wizards of the Coast, 1981) and is used by permission.

Copyright Notice Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Jean Wells.