Yurghoul Root
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Large Plant |
| Hit Dice | 6d8+30 (57 hp) |
| Initiative | -1 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 19 (-1 size, -1 Dex, +11 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 19 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +4/+15 |
| Attack | Slam +11 melee (1d8+7 plus disease) |
| Full Attack | 4 slams +11 melee (1d8+7 plus disease) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./10 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Trample 1d8+10, improved grapple, crush 2d6+7, disease, favored enemy |
| Special Qualities | Damage reduction 10/slashing, blindsight 90 ft., vulnerability to fire, plant traits, immune to cold, disease, and death effects |
| Saves | Fort +9, Ref +1, Will +3 (+7 versus spells) |
| Abilities | Str 24, Dex 9, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 2 |
| Skills | Climb +16 |
| Feats | Toughness (2), Weapon Focus (slam) |
| Environment | Temperate forests |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating | 6 |
| Treasure | Standard |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 7–9 HD (Large) |
| Level Adjustment | ― |
Description
This looks like the stump of a particularly massive tree that was ripped out of the ground and dragged through the forest. The top of the stump displays the distinctive chop marks of an ax, and the scar is oozing a dark red sap that has leaked down the sides.
Very rarely a sacred tree is born in an ancient forest, usually close to a holy place of the nature deity. These trees are particularly healthy, massive, and long-lived, and the beings of nature recognize the special nature of these growths, and revere them accordingly. When such a tree meets an unnatural demise due to the wood cutter's ax, a tormented inner magic is awoken and the roots animate to wreck revenge upon all intruders into the woodlands.
A yurghoul root is the animated stump of a particularly massive tree. The stump shows the marks of an ax's blade, and the cut is oozing a red sap that covers much of the wound and runs down the sides of the roots. The root uses its many legs to haul the body across the forest floor, seeking to slay any that are not native to the woodlands. Although both blind and deaf, it possesses a supernatural sense that allows it to seek out such victims, and it is untiring in pursuit of the enemy.
After several weeks the final life runs out of the yurghoul root and it collapses to the ground, eventually to decay away.
Combat
The yurghoul root drags itself across the ground towards its target. It wraps an opponent in its roots and seeks to crush the life out of it while trampling other foes. Once dead, the victim is released and the yurghoul root seeks out other prey.
Improved Grapple (Ex): To use this ability, a yurghoul root must hit with a slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can attempt to crush the opponent the following round.
Crush (Ex): When the yurghoul root begins its turn with a grappled opponent smaller than itself, it can draw that opponent between its massive roots. Once inside, the opponent takes 2d6+7 points of bludgeoning damage per round from the crushing pressure. An entangled opponent can escape with a successful DC 20 Escape Artist check or burst free with a DC 22 Strength check. The check DCs are Strength-based, and the Strength check DC includes a +2 racial bonus.
A yurglhoul root can entrap 2 Medium, or 8 Small or smaller opponents.
Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 20. The save DC is Strength-based.
Disease (Su): Yurwood Blight―slam, Fortitude DC 17, incubation period 1d4 days, damage 1d4 Str and 1d3 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Favored Enemy (Ex): A yurghoul root gains the favored enemy benefits of a ranger against any opponent that was not born within a mile of the woods in which it was slain. Its blindsight ability automatically allows it to sense the presence and location of any such foe.