Monster Geographica - Marsh & Aquatic.pdf - The Secrets of the ...

8
Assassin Colony
Huge Plant
Hit Dice: 10d8+30 (75 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 25 ft. (5 squares)
Armor Class: 21 (-2 size, +13 natural),
touch 8, flat-footed 21
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+24
Attack: Slam +14 melee (2d6+9)
Full Attack: 2 slams +14 melee (2d6+9)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Constrict 2d6+13,
entangle, improved grab, smother
Special Qualities: Blindsight 30 ft.,
electrical vigor, forest walk, low-light
vision, plant traits, resistance to fire 20, will
of the darkened
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +6
Assassin colonies are essentially a few dozen
assassin vines, transformed by pure malevolence.
Though they can survive on photosynthesis,
they seek to torture, torment, and consume those
that intrude upon their habitat. Any intelligent
humanoid entering their forest, swamp, or marsh
is immediate prey for the assassin colony.
Combat
The assassin colony is a semi-intelligent
thing, powered by the collective will of its
habitat, be it forest, marsh, or swamp. Assassin
colonies typically use their Hide skill to surprise
opponents. On its first round, when its opponents
are hopefully surprised, it uses its entangle ability.
It then indiscriminately starts attacking those
nearest it. By twisting and rubbing the vines in
its “throat,” it can make a raspy roar of triumph
and evil glee. It does not kill those it assaults, at
least not immediately. Instead, it smothers them
into unconsciousness. After all its foes have been
incapacitated, it tortures them for hours, then kills
them.
Constrict (Ex): An assassin colony deals
2d6+13 points of damage with a successful
grapple check.
Entangle (Su): An assassin colony can
animate plants within 30 feet of itself as a free
action (Ref DC 16 partial). The effect lasts until
the assassin colony dies or decides to end it (also
144
Abilities: Str 28, Dex 10, Con 17, Int 5, Wis
13, Cha l0
Skills: Hide +12, Listen +5, Move Silently
+6
Feats: Improved Sunder, Iron Will, Power
Attack, Stealthy
Environment: Temperate and warm forest
and marsh
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: 10% coins, standard goods,
standard items
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 11-20 HD (Huge), 21-30
HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
a free action). The save DC is Wisdom-based. The
ability is otherwise similar to entangle (caster level
10th).
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability,
an assassin colony must hit with its slam attack. It
can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action
without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it
wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and
can constrict.
Smother (Ex): Any foe constricted for two
full consecutive rounds must succeed on a DC 18
Fortitude save on every subsequent round or begin
to suffocate as the assassin colony covers the foe’s
mouth and crushes the air out of the creature (see
Suffocation rules on page 32). The save DC is
Constitution-based.
Blindsight (Ex): A assassin colony has no
visual organs but can ascertain all creatures within
30 feet using sound, scent, and vibration.
Electrical Vigor (Ex): A assassin colony
takes no damage from electricity, but an electrical
attack instead grants an assassin colony 10
temporary hit points that last for 5 hours.
Forest Walk (Su): An assassin colony acts
as though it is under the constant effects of a
freedom of movement spell, and can use the druid
spell transport via plants twice per day.
Skills: An assassin colony uses its natural
coloring to obscure itself, granting a +10 racial
bonus on Hide checks.