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Viper Vine

Viper Vine CR 13

Large tendrils ending in tiny claws unfurl from the central stalk of this plant, which rises like a serpent ready to strike.

XP 25,600
N Large plant
Init +8; Senses low-light vision, tremorsense 60 ft Perception +28

DEFENSE HP 225

EAC 27; KAC 29
Fort +17, Ref +17, Will +12
Defensive Abilities none; Immunities acid, plant immunities
Weaknesses cold lethargy

OFFENSE

Speed 10 ft
Melee bite +26 (2d12+20 P plus 1d12 acid)
Multiattack 4 tentacles +22 (2d8+20 B plus grab)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Offensive Abilities captivating cloud, constrict (2d8+20 B)

STATISTICS

Str +8, Dex +4, Con +6, Int -4, Wis +0, Cha -2
Feats Combat Reflexes
Skills Stealth +28, Survival +28
Languages none

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Captivating Cloud (Su)

Once per day as a swift action, a viper vine can emit a transparent cloud of pollen in a 60-foot spread that has the power to lull the minds of those that smell it.

Once activated, the cloud persists for 5 rounds unless dispersed by moderate or stronger wind.

All creatures in the cloud must succeed on a DC 20 Will saving throw each round or become captivated. Once a creature becomes captivated, it takes no actions save to approach the viper vine via the most direct route possible. If this path leads it into a dangerous area, such as through fire or off a cliff, that creature receives a second saving throw to end the effect before moving into peril. A victim that is attacked by the viper vine gets a new saving throw as a free action during each of the vine’s attacks to overcome the effect. This is a mind-affecting effect.

Cold Lethargy (Ex)

Exposure to any cold effect renders it exhausted.

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate or warm forests or swamps
Organization solitary

A voracious, flesh-eating carnivore, the viper vine has a single enormous bloom arising from a thick, leafy tangle of snake-like vines. When the plant senses the approach of suitable prey through its sensitive, shallowly buried root system, it rises up like an agitated snake and unfurls its brightly colored bloom, an act that releases a cloud of mind-numbing pollen. While stories speaking of the plant’s ability to lure prey into its clutches by virtue of its swaying motion persist, this effect is in fact created by this invisible, odorless pollen cloud.

Since viper vines gain nourishment through the consumption of creatures rather than through moisture and soil, they have developed rudimentary locomotion and are able to drag themselves along the ground with their tentacle-like root system.

They even possess a form of rudimentary sentience, allowing them to not only discern differences in prey and make limited tactical decisions, but also to avoid creatures that are particularly large or dangerous looking. The area around the hunting grounds of these predators is often strewn with the remains of victims, and it is not unusual to find the rotting corpses of wild animals, ill-fated adventurers, and even giants in their immediate vicinity, along with a scattering of incidental treasure left behind by the plant’s victims.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Alien Bestiary (Starfinder) © 2018, Legendary Games; Lead Designer: Jason Nelson. Authors: Anthony Adam, Kate Baker, John Bennet, Eytan Bernstein, Robert Brookes, Russ Brown, Duan Byrd, Jeff Dahl, Robyn Fields, Joel Flank, Matt Goodall, Robert J. Grady, Jim Groves, Steven T. Helt, Thurston Hillman, Tim Hitchcock, Nick Hite, Daniel Hunt, Mike Kimmel Marshall, Isabelle Lee, Jeff Lee, Lyz Liddell, Jason Nelson, Richard Pett, Tom Phillips, Alistair J. Rigg, Alex Riggs, Wendall Roy, Mike Shel, Neil Spicer, Todd Stewart, Russ Taylor, Rachel Ventura, Mike Welham, George Loki Williams, Scott Young.