Tanglevine Swarm
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Small Plant (Swarm) |
| Hit Dice | 4d8+4 (22 hp) |
| Initiative | +4 |
| Speed | ― |
| Armor Class | 18 (+1 size, +4 Dex, +3 natural), touch 15, flat-footed 14 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/-4 |
| Attack | Swarm (entangle plus 1d6 constrict) |
| Full Attack | Swarm (entangle plus 1d6 constrict) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./0 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Entangle, constrict 1d6, distraction |
| Special Qualities | Half damage from piercing, blindsight 10 ft., camouflage, plant traits, swarm traits |
| Saves | Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Str 4, Dex 18, Con 12, Int ―, Wis 13, Cha 7 |
| Skills | ― |
| Feats | ― |
| Environment | Temperate forests |
| Organization | Solitary, patch (2–4 swarms), or growth (7–12 swarms) |
| Challenge Rating | 2 |
| Treasure | Standard |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | None |
| Level Adjustment | ― |
Description
A dense growth of hardy vine completely covers the ground in a verdant carpet. The individual stems are tough and stringy, with a reddish-brown hue.
This carnivorous plant is distantly related to the assassin vine. It collects rare nutrients by grabbing and crushing animals, then planting seeds in the rotting corpse. By itself a tanglevine is not a significant threat. However groups of these plants often grow together in a cluster, attacking en masse to overwhelm even large creatures.
A mature tanglevine is about 4–6 feet in length, with one end rooted in the ground. It grows leaves that appear very similar to those of a normal vine, and a cluster of these plants can completely cover a section of the ground in natural growth. In late summer they produce small black berries that birds find a tasty treat. These berries are sweeter than the variety found on the assassin vine, and are suitable for baking in pies.
A tanglevine swarm is immobile, and covers a large area of ground in a carpet of growth. When it kills prey, seeds planted inside the corpse grow unusually long shoots to colonize new areas.
Combat
A tanglevine swarm is dormant until prey wanders across, then the entire mass instinctively attacks as one. Any creatures caught inside are entangled and slowly crushed. Sometimes a few skeletal remains or fallen possessions of past victims can be spotted among the leaves, providing a warning to those alert enough to notice.
Distraction (Ex): Any living creature that begins its turn with a swarm in its space must succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1 round. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Entangle (Ex): Any creature that begins its turn with a tanglevine swarm in its space becomes entangled (DC 16 Reflex save partial). The effect lasts until the tanglevine dies. The save DC is Dexterity-based. The effect is otherwise similar to entangle (caster level 4th).
Constrict (Ex): A tanglevine swarm automatically deals 1d6 points of damage to each entangled opponent.
Blindsight (Ex): Tanglevines have no visual organs but can ascertain all foes within 10 feet using sound and vibration.
Camouflage (Ex): Since a tanglevine looks like a normal plant when at rest, it takes a DC 20 Spot check to notice before it attacks. Anyone with ranks in Survival or Knowledge (nature) can use one of these skills instead of Spot to notice the plant.