Bloodsoaker Vine

The vines dangling from the treetops are about as thick as a halfling's leg. They sway gently and almost innocently in the breeze, but the wicked barbs along their lengths glisten unwholesomely with a reddish liquid. The smell of decaying flesh is unmistakable.

Bloodsoaker Vine (CR 9)

Large Plant (Extraplanar)
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +0
Senses: Blindsight 60 feet, Tremorsense 60 feet; Perception +9

Speed: 10 feet, Climb 10 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 19, touch 9, flat-footed 19 (+10 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 115 (11d8+55 plus 11)
Saving Throws: Fort +14, Ref +3, Will +6
Damage Reduction: 10/slashing
Immunity: plant traits

Offense

Melee: 6 tendrils +14 (1d8+6 plus bleed)
Reach: 10 feet

Special Attacks: Bleed (1d6), Rend (2 tendrils, 1d8+9)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
22 (+6)	10 (+0)	21 (+5)	2 (-4)	12 (+1)	6 (-2)

Base Attack Bonus: +8
CMB +15
CMD 25 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Toughness, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (tendril)

Skills: Climb +14, Perception +9, Stealth +5

Languages:

Special Abilities

NONE

Ecology

Environment: Temperate Forests or Marshes
Organization: solitary or colony (2-5)
Treasure: incidental


The bloodsoaker vine is a horrid plant that is believed to have its origins in the blood-stained fields of the Plane of Agony. Some unknown botanist—perhaps one of the N'gathau themselves—supposedly spliced an unknown root from that dismal place with the assassin vine to create this monstrosity. Several other theories as to this plant's origin abound, but this one is the most widely accepted.

The root system of the bloodsoaker vine needs blood to survive in the same manner as other plants need water. The vine provides nourishment for itself and the host tree from which it dangles by shredding unfortunate forest travelers into easily degraded bits. The trees benefit from the meaty compost while the bloodsoaker vine—true to the name—hungrily feeds on the blood of its victim and any that saturates the nearby soil.

A typical bloodsoaker vine is a mass of roots, vines, and tendrils. Coloration ranges from deep greens to various browns, and all colors in between. The bloodsoaker vine eventually changes colors to better match its surroundings the longer it remains in one location.

Ironically, the bloodsoaker vine produces an orchid-like flower thought by many to be among the most beautiful in creation. Far above the carnage below, where its tendrils break the forest canopy, delicate pink blossoms spread their petals and nourish birds and insects with sweet-smelling nectar.