Willowman

Large fey, neutral evil

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 120 (16d10+32)
Speed 30 ft., Swim 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
19 (+4)	11 (+0)	15 (+2)	11 (+0)	14 (+2)	11 (+0)

Skills Survival +5
Senses passive Perception 11
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Blend. When in its native forest, the willowman is invisible unless it chooses to be seen. Elves, halflings, and gnomes have a chance to see the willowman with a perception check at a DC of 18. Once a willowman attacks or uses magic, it becomes visible for the rest of the encounter.
• Regeneration. The willowman regenerates 5 hit points at the beginning of its turn, as long as it has at least one hit point.
• Innate Spellcasting. The willowman’s innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
  • 4/day: cure wounds at 4th level.
  • 3/day: entangle
  • 2/day: sleep

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The willowman can strike twice with its claws.
• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) slashing damage.
• Spikes (Recharge 5-6). The willowman can, as an action, hurl a wave of spikes from its body. It can either target a single target or a 10 ft. radius within 50 ft. of itself. If it targets a single target, that target must make a Dexterity save (DC 15), taking 35 (10d6) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful save. If it targets an area, each creature in that area must make a dexterity save (DC 15), taking 17 (5d6) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful save.

ABOUT

These odd fey are thin, gnarled creatures vaguely humanoid in shape, though legs and arms are only vaguely discernible from one the other. Its body is root-like with no discernible muscle or tissue. The face of the willowman always appears vaguely like the face of the one who gave it life, the one who cut down the willow tree. from its body, shoulders, head, arms and all grow short, leafless branches making the creature appear as if the back-side of its being is covered in small rooty spikes.

Tree Spirits. Willowmen are born where willow trees once grew but were cut down for one purpose or the other. At times when a tree in its prime falls and for reasons known to few if any the willowman grows. Upon the chewed-up stump, a small stand of bark grows, jutting several feet above the stump. This takes on a humanoid shape over the next 24 hours and eventually breaks free. It continues to grow and evolve until it is 4, 5, or 6 feet tall.

Angry Loners. They are possessed of an unkind disposition, being born of regret and loss and they do not look upon any who approach the willow stump with kindness. They possess no language except some vague ability to speak to the trees, nor do they ever congregate, or hunt far from their stump. If they ever encounter the one who cut down their mother tree they are filled with a blind rage and will attack that individual without mercy. On occasion, druids befriend willowmen or charm them and they serve each other in whatever purposes drive them.