Hangman Tree (3pp)

A giant oak tree with few leaves and branches stands nearby.

Hangman Tree CR 7

XP 3,200
N(E) Huge plant
Init +3; Senses blindsight 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +6; Aura hallucinatory spores (50 ft. radius, DC 19, passive 2d6 minutes)

DEFENSE

AC 20, touch 7, flat-footed 20 (–1 Dex, +13 natural, –2 size)
hp 76 (8d8+40)
Fort +11; Ref +1; Will +5
Immune plant traits; SR 19
Weaknesses paralyzed by cold, slowed by darkness, vulnerability to electricity

OFFENSE

Speed 10 ft.
Melee 4 vines +13 (1d6+8 plus grab)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks constrict (1d6+8), swallow whole (2d6+8 bludgeoning damage, AC 16, hp 7)

STATISTICS

Str 27, Dex 8, Con 20, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +6; CMB +16 (+20 grapple); CMD 25
Feats Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Step Up, Weapon Focus (vines)
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +0 (+16 to hide in forests); Racial Modifiers +16 to Stealth to hide in forests
Languages Common

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Constrict (Ex)

Because it seizes its victims by the neck, a creature in the hangman tree’s grasp cannot speak or cast spells with verbal components.

Hallucinatory Spores (Ex)

As a standard action, a hangman tree can release a cloud of spores in a 50-foot radius spread. Creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 19 Will save or be affected as if by a charm monster spell for 2d6 minutes. Affected creatures believe the tree to be of some ordinary sort (or to be a treant or other such friendly tree creature). An affected creature becomes passive and refuses to attack the hangman tree during this time. This is a mind-affecting compulsion effect. The save DC is Constitution-based.

An affected creature can attempt a new Will save (DC 19, +1 per previous save) each round. A creature that makes its save cannot be affected by the hallucinatory spores of that hangman’s tree for 24 hours.

Paralyzed by Cold (Ex)

Cold-based effects paralyze a hangman tree as if by a hold person spell.

Slowed by Darkness (Ex)

Spells that generate darkness (such as darkness or deeper darkness) slow the hangman’s tree (as the slow spell) for 1 round per caster level.

Vines (Ex)

The vines of a hangman tree have 10 hit points and can be attacked by making a successful sunder attempt. Attacking a hangman tree’s vine does not provoke an attack of opportunity. If the vine is currently grappling a target, the hangman tree takes a –4 penalty on its opposed attack roll to resist the sunder attempt. Severing a vine deals no damage to a hangman tree.

 

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate and warm forests
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure half standard

Close inspection reveals a scar-like marking on the lower part of the trunk of this tree; this is where undigested creatures or gear is expelled after digestion. Hidden among the hangman tree’s branches and leaves are its rope-like appendages that it uses to trap its prey.

The hangman tree attacks by dropping its noose-like appendages around prey and yanking victims upwards. Trapped prey is held until it dies or is dropped into the hangman’s trunk where it is digested.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Hangman Tree from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Gary Gygax.

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