Phlogiston

This creature resembles a bush with silvery-green leaves and dark, twisted branches. The sweet smell of cinnamon lingers in the air around it. Four tendrils writhe and slash from its central form.

Phlogiston (CR 3)

Medium Plant
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +1
Senses: Blindsight 60 feet; Perception +1

Speed: 0 feet (immobile)
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+1 Dex, +5 natural)
Hit Points: 26 (4d8+8)
Saving Throws: Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +2
Immunity: plant immunities
Energy Resistance: fire 10

Offense

Melee: 4 tendrils +6 (1d6+3)
Reach: 5 feet (10 feet with tendril)

Special Attacks: fire bolt

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
17 (+3)	13 (+1)	14 (+2)	-	12 (+1)	2 (-4)

Base Attack Bonus: +3
CMB +6
CMD 17

Feats:

Skills:

Languages: -

Special Qualities: death throes

Special Abilities

Fire Bolt (Ex)

Once every 1d4 rounds as a standard action, a phlogiston bush can release a tiny bolt of fire in a line to a maximum range of 40 feet that deals 2d6 points of fire damage to any creature struck. A successful DC 14 Reflex save reduces damage by 1/2. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Death Throes (Ex)

If a phlogiston bush is reduced to 0 or less hit points, it explodes in a concussive blast of fire that deals 4d6 points of fire damage to all creatures in a 10-foot radius. A successful DC 14 Reflex save reduces damage by 1/2. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate Forests
Organization: solitary
Treasure: none


The phlogiston bush (known as a fire shrub by some sages) is an immobile plant found only in temperate regions. Phlogiston bushes gain nourishment from the body fluids and organs of living creatures, particularly the bones and muscle tissue of such creatures. Being plants, they do gain sustenance from sunlight and the soil, so they can go long periods of time (reportedly up to two weeks or so) without eating, but given the chance, a phlogiston flower catches and kills any living creature that wanders too close to it.

These plants generate a pleasing odor noticeable to a range of about 30 feet. It uses this odor to lure semiintelligent creatures (such as ordinary animals) into range where it can use its tendrils and fire bolt attack. These plants rely on living creatures to spread, so on occasion, when not looking for a meal, a phlogiston flower releases a small blast of seedlings in a 5-foot cone directly in front of it. A creature in the area that fails a DC 20 Wisdom check fails to observe that tiny seeds of silvery-green hue are clinging to its body. After 1d4 hours, the seedlings drop off and take root in the immediate area, blooming into a new phlogiston flower in just under 2 months.

A phlogiston bush lies dormant until unsuspecting prey comes with range. It then slashes with its tendrils or releases a single fire bolt at its opponent. In combat, the phlogiston flower attempts to grab its prey with a tendril. Grabbed prey is held until it escapes, dies, or the plant is killed. Creatures slain by a phlogiston flower are entwined in its tendrils and slowly digested over the next 6 to 8 hours until there is nothing left (digestive acids secreted from the plant break down the bones of the victim). Being mindless, a phlogiston flower fights until either it or its prey is slain.

Copyright Notice Author Scott Greene.