Freak Friday

Carnifolia


No. Enc.: 1 (0)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: None
Armor Class: 2
Hit Dice: 10
Attacks: see below
Damage: see below
Save: L5
Morale: None
Hoard Class: XX
XP: 3800

These mutated, unintelligent Taxus brevifolia appear as 50' tall evergreen trees which have apparently rotted from the inside, creating hollow cavities which appear to be inviting places to shelter. With their brown, scaly bark, dark green, lanceolate leaves, and bright red, berry-like seed cones, these carnivorous predators are almost impossible to distinguish from normal trees. There is only a 1 in 6 chance that a creature will recognize a Carnifolia as such, although plant mutants can detect them on a 3 in 6 chance.

Carnifolia have two primary means of enticing creatures to rest within their tempting cavities. If any creature consumes the red seeds of the plant, they must make a saving throw vs poison or feel compelled to stop and rest within the cavity. Of course if the weather is inclement, the hollow cavity may also appear as an inviting place within which to shelter. Any creature which falls asleep within the hollow cavity will cause the cavity to close and begin filling with a digestive sap which oozes up from the roots, at a rate of one foot per round until the 10' cavity is filled. The digestive sap does 1d8 damage per round until the creature dies. The limited room inside the cavity prevents those trapped inside from attacking by any weapon except a dagger. Additionally, attacking from within the cavity is difficult, and the attack suffers a -4 penalty.

These tree predators can be found just about anywhere, although they will only be found near streams in drier regions.

Mutations: Carnivore, Edible Seeds (CotW), Energy Absorption (Electricity; CotW), Thermal Sensitivity (Fire)