Absinthian Hardwood

It is widely accepted that there are two kinds of animate plants: Those as mobile as any animal, and those that are sessile. Those plants that cannot run from danger must seek other ways to defend themselves. The Absinthian Hardwood is a particularly disturbing example of the latter, its addictive fruit contains a poison that corrupts those that consume it into evil minded defenders.

The tree’s drug affects the consumer with charm monster. If this effect is maintained for a month it becomes permanent. The plant can however only maintain twice its HD in creatures under addiction at a time. This forces it and its minions to keep a target close by, or supply a potentially distant individual with the fruits for this whole period.

In combat Absinthain Hardwoods are protected by its minions while the tree itself casts druid spells (CL 9th) from behind. If confronted directly it defends itself with slam attacks while relying on its hard wood for defense.

There are several variants of this monster, one given by the bestiary is the Nightshade Absinthian, which turns victims into ghouls and ghasts.

CR 10

NE Huge Plant

Combat Role: Caster

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