Roper

Roper CR 12 (Combatant)

XP 19,200
CE Large aberration
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +22

DEFENSE

HP 200
EAC 26; KAC 28
Fort +14; Ref +14; Will +13
Immunities electricity; Resistances cold 10; SR 23
Weaknesses vulnerability to fire

OFFENSE

Speed 10 ft., spider climb
Melee bite +25 (6d4+20P) tendril +25 (1d6 Strength plus grab)
Multiattack 4 tendrils +19 (1d6 Strength plus grab)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. (50 ft. with tendril)
Offensive Abilities pull (tendril, 20 feet)

STATISTICS

Str +8; Dex +1; Con +5; Int +1; Wis +4; Cha +1
Skills Athletics +27, Mysticism +22, Stealth +22
Languages Aklo
Other Abilities false appearance

SPECIAL ABILITIES

False Appearance (Ex)

While a roper remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal cave formation, like a stalagmite.

Pull (Ex)

As a swift action, the roper pulls each creature grappled by it up to 20 feet straight toward it.

Tendril (Ex)

The roper can have up to four tendrils at a time. Each tendril can be attacked (EAC 26, KAC 24, 20 HP). Destroying a tendril deals no damage to the roper, which can extrude a replacement tendril on its next turn. The tendril is coated in a fluid that saps a creature’s strength; dealing 1d6 points of Strength damage.

ECOLOGY

Environment underground
Organization solitary, pair, or cluster (3-6)

Ropers are ambush hunters that evolved in the underworld. They take the appearance of stalagmites and wait for a living creature to draw close. When this happens, the roper quickly lashes out with tendrils extruded from its body that wrap around its target, sapping the creature’s strength. The roper then draws its prey into its fang-filled mouth to consume. As a rope never knows when its next meal is coming, they often slay and eat more than they can possibly consume at once.

There are some varieties of ropers that have evolved on the surface of the world. They take the shape of dead tree trunks and hide within the forest.

Despite their monstrous hunger and evil natures, ropers are intelligent and insightful creatures. In the time between feedings, they learn about their surrounding underworld and contemplate philosophy.

Religious pilgrims sometimes brave the lair of a roper for a chance to learn the creature’s insight.