Treacle

Tiny ooze, unaligned

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 22 (4d4 + 12)
Speed 15 ft., climb 10 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (–3) 15 (+2) 17 (+3) 1 (–5) 1 (–5) 10 (+0)

Skills Deception +4
Senses blindsight 120 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 5
Languages
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Amorphous. The treacle can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
  • Mimicry. The treacle can mimic animal sounds. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are imitations with a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check.

ACTIONS

  • Blood Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: The treacle attaches to the target. While attached, the treacle can’t attack, and at the start of each of the treacle’s turns, the target loses 5 (2d4) hp due to blood loss. Each time the target loses hp in this way, it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice the treacle is attached and harming it, otherwise it is unaware the hp loss is from the treacle. A creature that loses hp in this way while below half its hp maximum automatically succeeds on this check. The attached treacle moves with the target whenever the target moves, requiring none of the treacle’s movement. It can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement on its turn. A creature, including the target, can use its action to detach the treacle.

REACTIONS

  • Mimic Innocence. When a creature the treacle can see moves within 120 feet of it, the treacle squishes, stretches, and molds its body into the shape of a Tiny Beast or object the creature finds least threatening, such as an injured rabbit or a long-lost toy. The treacle’s body takes on most of the coloration of the desired shape, but some part of it is always white, pale, or pearlescent. Regardless of the shape, the treacle’s flesh doesn’t change and is soft and plush to the touch. The treacle can maintain this shape for up to 8 hours or until another creature it can see moves within 120 feet of it.

ABOUT

The trapped rabbit squeals as it pulls against the rope binding it. Suddenly, the rabbit’s form shifts, revealing it to be a pale, pearlescent ooze ready to pounce on prey.

A curious bunny, an abandoned toy, or a delicate songbird can spell slow death for the unprepared. Beneath any of these facades may lurk a treacle waiting to feed on a gullible victim, mewling and cooing all the while. Whether by natural selection or arcane tampering, these compact oozes prey on kindness.

Diet of Blood. Treacles feed on blood but lack the natural weapons or acid of larger slimes. To survive, prey must welcome and embrace them, unaware of the threat. The treacles’ soft bodies absorb psychic impressions and take the shape of unthreatening creatures. In the wild, treacles assume the form of an animal’s offspring to lie close and feed.

Pet Polymorph. Among humanoids, treacles transform into pets, toys, or injured animals. Treacles don’t choose their forms consciously, instead relying on a primitive form of telepathy to sense which shapes a potential victim finds least threatening or most enticing. They can hold a new shape for several hours, even if the intended victim is no longer present.

Slow Drain. Once they have assumed a nonthreatening form, treacles mewl, sing, or make pitiful noises to attract attention. Once they’re in contact with a potential victim, treacles drain blood slowly, ideally while their prey sleeps. If threatened or injured, treacles flee. A sated treacle detaches from its victim and seeks a cool, dark place to rest and digest.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Beasts 1 ©2023 Open Design LLC; Authors: Daniel Kahn, Jeff Lee, and Mike Welham.

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