Tree Shadow
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Small Fey |
| Hit Dice | 1d6 (3 hp) |
| Initiative | +2 |
| Speed | 20 ft. (4 squares) |
| Armor Class | 17 (+1 size, +4 Dex, +2 natural), touch 15, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +0/-5 |
| Attack | Claws +5 melee (1d2-1 plus wither) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +5 melee (1d2-1 plus wither) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./10 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Wither, spell-like abilities |
| Special Qualities | Damage reduction 5/cold iron, low-light vision, spell resistance 11, limitations |
| Saves | Fort +0, Ref +6, Will +3 |
| Abilities | Str 8, Dex 18, Con 11, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 15 |
| Skills | Hide +12, Listen +2, Move Silently +5, Spot +2, Survival +2 |
| Feats | DodgeB, Weapon Finesse |
| Environment | Temperate forest |
| Organization | Solitary or pack (2–8) |
| Challenge Rating | 1 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral evil |
| Advancement | 2–3 HD (Small) |
| Level Adjustment | ― |
Description
This dark creature resembles a small elf cloaked in shadow. Its misshapen form has a wood-like flesh and a pair of faintly glowing orange eyes. Its scalp is covered in a matte of shriveled leaves and twigs.
These dark, sinister forms dwell in the heart of a forest that has been twisted by evil sorcery. Born of the shy nature spirits that normally inhabit the woods, these beings have been tormented into near madness by the abominations perpetrated against their home. Now they lash out against any and all who invade their territory, including indigenous creatures and friends of the forest.
A tree shadow usually inhabits the inky shadows at the base of an old, massive tree deep within the forest. The dark, shadowy form resembles a mutilated fey creature made of hardwood, with two unblinking eyes that glow with a faint orange light.
Combat
Tree shadows silently stalk invaders through their native woods, sliding from tree to tree until a favorable opportunity allows it to strike. Tree shadows prefer to attack from hiding, waiting behind trees until an opportune moment.
They strike with their withering claws then withdraw back into the woods, either to escape or to climb to the upper branches. Persistent intruders are often left severely disfigured as a warning to others. The tree shadows are usually found alone, but will hunt in packs when many invaders are present.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will―tree stride. 1/day― diminish plants, entangle (DC 13), warp wood (DC 14). Caster level 7th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Wither (Su): The blackened talons of a tree shadow can cause the flesh of a creature to brown and wither like an autumn leaf. Living creatures hit by a tree shadow's claw attack must succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude save or be dealt 1 point of Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution damage. The save DC is Constitution-based, and includes a +2 racial modifier.
Limitations: Tree shadows are prohibited from wading or swimming through running water. They lose their spell-like abilities when outside their native forest.
Skills: Tree shadows have a +2 racial bonus to Hide and Move Silently checks.
Advanced Benefits
In addition to the standard changes due to Hit Dice advancement, tree shadows also gain the following special benefits.
- The save DC of the wither ability is equal to 12 + ½ HD + Constitution modifier.
- Spell resistance is equal to creature's HD + 10 (maximum 25).
- 2+ HD ― Add 1/day―poison to spell-like abilities.
- 3 HD ― Add 1/day―blight to spell-like abilities.