Cactus Cursus

Large plant, neutral evil

Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (6d10 + 12)
Speed 25 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	10 (+0)	14 (+2)	6 (-2)	10 (+0)	1 (-5)

Skills Perception +2
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, fire, piercing, poison, psychic
Senses passive Perception 12
Languages –
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• False Appearance. If the cactus cursus remains motionless it is indistinguishable from a Large-sized cactus.
• Spiky Body. A creature that touches the cactus cursus or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 3 (1d6) piercing damage.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The cactus makes one bite attack and three needle attacks.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
• Needles. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) piercing damage plus 2 (1d4) poison damage.

ABOUT

A group of hunters travel across the desert through an area full of cacti. One of them notices that several of the plants have moved overnight. She dismounts her sand strider and finds odd tracks on the ground. The cactus cursus is a killer plant that resembles a normal cactus.

Killer Cactus. These bizarre plants hunt for food across the desert. They are able to move and often hide amongst normal cacti. It’s more likely these cacti will be found near oases and other areas with a water source.

Poisonous Plants. A nasty poison is inside the plant’s needles. When needles are shot into a creature, the deadly poison enters their victim’s bloodstream. One remedy for the poison is to make a potion from a real cactus.

Weakest Link. These plants will target small groups of creatures or pick off stragglers in a larger convoy. Sometimes the cause of death remains undetermined for a long time.