Pyrrhic Podthrower

Small plant, unaligned

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 127 (17d6 + 68)
Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 2 (–4) 10 (+0) 4 (–3)

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, lightning
Damage Immunities fire Condition Immunities blinded, deafened, frightened
Senses tremorsense 90 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • False Appearance. While the pyrrhic podthrower remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a clump of crabgrass.
  • Flaming Seedpod Regrowth. The pyrrhic podthrower has four Flaming Seedpods. Used Flaming Seedpods may regrow each turn. If the pyrrhic podthrower starts its turn with less than four Flaming Seedpods, roll a d6. On a roll of 5 or 6, it regrows 1d4 Flaming Seedpods, to a maximum of 4.
  • Regeneration. The pyrrhic podthrower regains 10 hp at the start of its turn. If the podthrower takes necrotic damage or if it is grappled and removed from the ground, this trait doesn’t function at the start of its next turn. The podthrower dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hp and doesn’t regenerate.

ACTIONS

  • Multiattack. The pyrrhic podthrower makes three Grass Blade attacks, or it uses Flaming Seedpod twice.
  • Grass Blade. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
  • Flaming Seedpod. The podthrower lobs a flaming seedpod at a point it can see within 60 feet of it. The seedpod explodes on impact and is destroyed. Each creature within 10 feet of that point must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 12 (5d4) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

REACTIONS

  • Unstable Bulb. When the pyrrhic podthrower is grappled and removed from the ground while above 0 hp, the unstable root bulb bursts. Each creature within 10 feet of the podthrower must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 12 (5d4) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

ABOUT

This patch of crabgrass has four radial blades, with a seedpod flickering with flame at the end of each blade.

Many weeds can persist in the face of poisoning or industrious digging. Pyrrhic podthrowers use aggression, incendiary seeds, and natural regeneration to survive.

Fiery but Edible. Some farmers tolerate a pyrrhic podthrower because the plant harms pests that would otherwise destroy more valuable crops. While the flammable oil running from its bulb to its long blades makes those blades bitter, the core surface plant is edible. The podthrower allows grazing animals to chew on it before setting them alight, using their incinerated remains to self-fertilize.

Mostly Ordinary. Except for their fiery means of self-preservation, pyrrhic podthrowers require sunlight and water like any other plants. Their natural healing ceases if they’ve gone for a week without water or if they suffer any form of blight.

Long-Lived. Undisturbed pyrrhic podthrowers can live for up to 40 years. Even podthrowers that face resistance have long lifespans, due to their tendency to burrow away from stout opposition. Their longevity has the fortunate side effect of keeping the podthrowers in relative check, as they reproduce infrequently.

Podthrower Bulb

A pyrrhic podthrower’s flammable oil is fueled by a bulb hidden in its roots. If a pyrrhic podthrower is uprooted after it is reduced to 0 hp, a creature within 5 feet of it can extract the bulb by making a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check or a DC 15 Wisdom check using an herbalism kit. On a failure, the creature triggers the podthrower’s Unstable Bulb reaction. On a success, the creature extracts the bulb, which can be used like an alchemist’s fire, except it deals 5d4 fire damage instead of 1d4. The bulb lasts for 7 days then decays.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Beasts 3 © 2022 Open Design LLC; Authors: Eytan Bernstein, Celeste Conowitch, Benjamin L. Eastman, Robert Fairbanks, Scott Gable, Basheer Ghouse, Richard Green, Jeremy Hochhalter, Jeff Lee, Christopher Lockey, Sarah Madsen, Ben Mcfarland, Jonathan Miley, Kelly Pawlik, Sebastian Rombach, Chelsea Steverson, Brian Suskind, Mike Welham

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