Gargoņan Rosebush
by Jamie BatySCMC
Small Plant
Hit Dice: 2d8+6 (15 hp)
Initiative: -5
Speed: 0 ft. (0 squares)
Armour Class: 6 (+1 size, -5 Dex), touch 6, flat-footed 6
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/-8
Attack: None
Full Attack: None
Space/Reach: 5 ft. /5 ft.
Special Attacks: Singing
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60ft, boon of the afflicted, low-light vision, plant traits, scent
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +2
Abilities: Str 0, Dex 0, Con 16, Int 5, Wis 15, Cha 18
Skills: Concentration +4, Listen +4, Spot +4
Feats: Endurance
Environment: Any forests
Organisation: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 1/2
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 3-4 HD (Small); 5-6 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: -
This white rose has the ability to temporarily freeze the effects of the Red Curse. When plucked from its bush, the rose acts as one ounce of cinnabryl, wilting as it depletes. At the end of the seventh day, the last petal drops and its protection ceases. Anyone currently protected by a Gargoņan rose cannot use his Legacies.
The Gargoņan rose bush is a sentient being, with senses based on smell and empathy. The Immortal Valerias originally created its species as a gesture of compassion toward the poor and the Afflicted.
The bushes grow in Shazak and Herathian forests, in the hallowed forests of Robrenn, as well as in Gargoņa near places where the Afflicted have died. Gargoņans consider these bushes sacred gifts from the Immortals; tampering with one (attempting to uproot the bush or take more than one rose) is a capital crime in Gargoņa.
Combat
A Gargoņan Rosebush does not initiate combat with any living creature. If attacked, it will defend itself through Legacy use, and by charming nearby creatures to come to its aid.
Singing (Su): A Gargoņan Rosebush may sing. This singing will charm any creatures within a mile of the Gargoņan Rosebush. Targets allowed a Will save vs DC 15 (Cha based). The Gargoņan Rosebush may sing an unlimited number of times per day. Creatures so charmed are affected as per the charm person/charm monster spells.
Boon of the Afflicted (Su): The flowers of the Gargoņan Rosebush work like cinnabryl in warding off Affliction. A single flower will protect the bearer for one whole week before wilting and dying. A creature can only pluck one flower per week, and possession of a flower prevents the use of any legacies.
Scent (Ex): This special quality allows the Gargoņan Rosebush to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell.
Plant Traits: A plant creature possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature's entry): Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects); Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning; Not subject to critical hits; Plants breathe and eat, but do not sleep.
The Red Curse
The Gargoņan Rosebush can activate the following Legacy defences 3/day: Acid Touch, Entangle, Poison, and Weaken. It does not suffer from afflictions.
If the DM does not have information on these legacies, use the following:
Acid Touch (Su): For a Gargoņan Rosebush, this legacy works slightly differently. When activated, any creature that successfully touches or hits the bush suffers 1d4 + 1hp per HD acid damage. The ability lasts for 1 round/HD.
Entangle (Sp): The rosebush's branches grow into tentacles 5 feet long per 3 HD, maximum 25 feet. It may target a single foe and entangle it if a DC 15 Reflex save is failed. The creature can break free and move half its normal speed by using a full-round action to make a DC 20 Strength check or a DC 20 Escape Artist check. A creature that succeeds on a Reflex save is not entangled but can still move at only half speed for that round.
Poison (Su): The rosebush can poison one victim and force it to make a Fort save vs DC 15 (Cha based) or suffer 1d4 Con damage, both primary and secondary. The rosebush is not required to touch a foe to poison it: it may target any creature within 30ft to poison.
Weaken (Su): One target within30ft of the rosebush has its Str reduced to 5 on a failed Fort. Save vs DC 15 (Cha based). This weakness lasts for 1 round per HD.