Assassin Vine, Hangman

This gnarled black vine clutches the rotting corpses of dozens of animals in its hand-shaped leaves.

Hangman Assassin Vine CR 6

XP 2,400
Skilled
NE Large plant
Init +2; Senses life sense 120 ft., low-light vision; Perception +2

DEFENSE

AC 19, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +8 natural, -1 size)
hp 69 (6d8+42)
Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +4
Immune electricity, negative energy affinity, plant traits; Resist cold 10, fire 10

OFFENSE

Speed 5 ft.
Melee slam +9 (1d6+6 plus grab)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with slam)
Special Attacks blood drain, constrict (1d6+6)

STATISTICS

Str 23, Dex 15, Con 24, Int -, Wis 14, Cha 1
Base Atk +4; CMB +11 (+15 grapple); CMD 23 (can’t be tripped)
SQ freeze (Knowledge [nature]), negative energy affinity, rejuvenation

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Blood Drain (Ex)

A hangman assassin vine drains blood at the end of each turn it grapples, inflicting 1d6 Constitution damage.

Rejuvenation (Su)

When the hangman assassin vine is destroyed, its body immediately begins to regrow from a seed planted within the corpse of a nearby victim. The process takes 2d4 days. If the reforming vine’s body is destroyed before it can fully rejuvenate, it immediately starts the process anew. After the full time has passed, the vine wakens fully healed. This process can only be prevented by burning all of the corpses the seeds inhabit.

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate forests
Organization solitary, pair, or patch (3 6)
Treasure incidental

Assassin vines respond to physical motion to kill and fertilize their soil. Occasionally one destroys an undead creature, and the corpse taints the ground with foul necromantic energy. These assassin vines develop strange traits, hungering for the blood of living creatures in addition to the nutrients their corpses carry.