Jinmenju

Huge plant, neutral

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 256 (19d12+133)
Speed 10 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
24 (+7)	8 (-1)	24 (+7)	7 (-2)	12 (+1)	17 (+3)

Saving Throws Str +12, Con +12
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Skills Perception +11
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 21
Languages Common
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Addicting Head-Fruits. The jinmenju’s head-fruits are addictive. Any creature that takes a bite of the head-fruit and is under the effects of its poison must succeed at a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take another bite on their next turn, replacing their action. A creature can repeat this saving throw at the end of each of its turns. While under this effect, the creature is immune to being frightened. These fruits can be made into a draught for 25 gp that provides advantage on all saving throws against being frightened for 1 hour.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The jinmenju makes one bite attack and two slam attacks.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, 1reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 34 (5d10 + 7) piercing damage.
• Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, 1reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
• Command the Afflicted (1/Day). The jinmenju can cast dominate person on any creature who is currently eating the jinmenju’s head-fruit. The DC for the saving throw against this spell is DC 18.

ABOUT

The jinmenju is an eerie tree that grows in hilly regions far from civilization. While a jinmenju otherwise appears to be nothing more than a twisted, gnarled cherry tree, the fruit that hangs from its branches makes it impossible to mistake for any other flora, for each fleshy melon possesses the semblance of a human head.

Head-fruits. In their natural form, a jinmenju’s head-fruits-which sag from the branches and look entirely too heavy for the short, stringy vines they hang from-resemble dark brown melons with vaguely humanoid facial features. A jinmenju can alter these head-fruits to resemble virtually any form, making the rotting melons attractive or at least intriguing to potential prey. Using its ability to delve into nearby creatures’ memories, a jinmenju simulates the appearance of whichever creature (or fruit) will draw prey within range of its branches, which it uses to pummel enraptured creatures to unconsciousness before devouring them. A jinmenju’s head-fruit retains a magical connection to the tree that bore it, so even after it is lopped from its branch, a transformed melon still bears the likeness chosen by the jinmenju, though the tree’s compulsion effects remain distinctly tied to the tree itself.

A jinmenju’s head-fruits are covered in a thick skin that is easy to bite into, with an outmost layer similar in texture to that of a lumpy peach. Whenever potential prey nears a jinmenju, it wills its fruit to prematurely begin the rotting process. In addition to enticing its prey with hallucinations, a jinmenju can instantly ferment its head-fruits, emitting a sweet, intoxicating odor that lures creatures to the tree and captivates them. Those who have tasted a head-fruit and lived to tell of the experience claim that the fruit’s flesh has a mushy consistency that makes it hard to hold in one’s hands, and as it slips from one’s grip, the world seems to melt away as well.

Fling Fruit. A jinmenju can toss one of its fruits up to 60 feet away. The detached fruit retains the jinmenju’s addicting, enticing, and laughing head-fruit abilities, as well as its intoxicating stench, for up to 1 hour.

Laughing Head-Fruits. A jinmenju cause its head-fruits to laugh, even those that are removed from the tree or are being eaten by another creature. All creatures within 60 feet of the jinmenju must make a successful Will save (DC 18) or be affected by hideous laughter.