Page 210 - Monster Manual Expanded III Dragonix

Dragonroot Tree edges of bogs, gloomy forests, and swamps, where it can blend
easily. A few have also been discovered living deep within the
The mighty dragonroot tree is one of the most dangerous
Underdark.
carnivorous plants one can encounter. It resembles a 24-foot tall
Ambush Hunter. The noran is an aggressive carnivorous
kapok tree with a 10-foot diameter trunk. Its branches form a
creature. While it still needs water and soil nutrients, it is
thick crown of foliage that can reach 40 feet in diameter. Hanging
nourished mainly by meat. The noran is usually an ambush hunter,
from its branches are over a dozen 1-foot diameter sweet-smelling
waiting for prey to wander close to it. Once its target is within
fruits that resemble yellow-green watermelons. Six giant 20-foot
range, the noran explodes into action, attacking with its powerful
long buttress roots extend from the base of its trunk. Each of
claws at blinding speed. Most victims are torn to pieces by the
these serpentine roots ends in a dragon-like maw filled with sharp
initial assault. Those that manage to survive are grappled by the
wooden tusk-like protrusions that appear to serve as its teeth.
noran and bitten until it is dead.
Each of these teeth drips deadly venom.
Deadly Cannoneer. What makes the noran deadly is its ability
Ambush Hunter. The dragonroot tree is a patient predator.
to shoot rocks from its hollow cannon-like branch located above
It remains still with the tail-end of its roots lying half-buried in
its face. The noran has a body organ that can trap and heat air,
the earth. Attracted to the sweet aroma of its fruits, animals and
allowing it to build pressure within its trunk cavity until it decides
other creatures unfamiliar with the dreaded dragonroot tree
to release it. If the noran has a rock loaded within its cannon's
approach it. Once a prey is within reach, the dragonroots burst
aperture, it can release the built-up pressure and shoot the rock
from the ground and attack it. Like crocodiles fighting over food,
with tremendous power. The noran can aim the rock accurately
the dragonroots' jaws clamp over the target, pull, and shred it into
at distances of 120 feet. Most prey are instantly killed by the
pieces. Usually, the prey is instantly killed from the bites alone.
rock's blow which is strong enough to shatter bone and break
Those that survive the initial onslaught eventually succumb to the
spinal columns. Those that survive are either stunned or knocked
dragonroot's toxic venom.
unconscious, giving the noran ample time to reach it.
Fruits from the Poisonous Tree. The dragonroot tree can utilize
Awakened Tree. The noran, said to be distantly related to
its noxious seed pods like explosive grenades. Once per turn, it
treants, is an intelligent tree that understands the value of coin
can detach and lob one of its seed pods at a point within 60 feet
and treasure. The noran usually collect them, keeping them
of it. Upon hitting the ground, the seed pod bursts in a greenish
within its cavity. It may be a voracious predator, but it is intelligent
cloud of toxic spores. Those that succumb to the poison reel from
enough to recognize mutually beneficial arrangements. As long
the intense pain and agony brought about by toxins attacking their
as it is paid and fed well, it can be hired to serve as a sentry.
lungs and nervous system.
While the noran itself isn't an evil creature, it has been known to
Top Predator. Dragonroot trees are rare and can only be found in
associate with green dragons, hags, harpies, malignos, quicklings,
temperate and tropical forests, savannahs, jungles, and swamps.
redcaps, and tikbalangs.
Dragonroot trees seldomly associate with other creatures, treating
almost everything that moves as prey. Only the most powerful of
druids and fey such as malignos have been able to influence and Obliviax (Memory Moss)
control these creatures.
The obliviax, also known as the memory moss, is an evil, sentient
plant that resembles a thick patch of dark green moss with
Hangman Tree endlessly undulating leaves. The obliviax does not require sunlight
to grow, though it needs it to trigger its spore reproduction. It is
The hangman tree is a carnivorous, predatory tree that takes its
found in temperate climates where it has enough sunshine to grow
name from how it captures its prey. It resembles an oak tree with
and reproduce, sprouting on tree trunks, logs, damp cavern floors,
a thick trunk with long leafy vines and tendrils that dangle from
or rotting leaves. It may form colonies with others of its kind.
its branches. Above its trunk is an opening much like a giant maw
Spell Thief. Like moss, the obliviax absorbs water and nutrients
lined with rows of sharp teeth that look like carved wooden tusks.
through its leaves. However, it also feeds on psychic energy. It does
Garotte-like Tendrils. The hangman tree waits till prey is
this by stealing magical memories, or spells, from spellcasting
directly underneath its vines. It then releases its poisonous spores,
creatures. It converts these magical memories into psychic energy,
which weaken those that unsuspectingly breathe them in. The
which it then absorbs. When a spellcaster comes within 60 feet
hangman tree then attacks its prey by snatching them with its
of it, the obliviax can attempt to steal one memorized spell from
tendrils, wrapping around a victim's neck like a tightening noose.
the target by using its Steal Magical Memory. If successful, the
The target is then reeled upwards by the hangman tree and
spellcaster loses memory of the spell, as if it had already cast
deposited into its mouth, where it is eaten and swallowed whole.
it. Once it has a spell stolen, the obliviax can change its shape,
A victim is usually already dead from asphyxiation by the time it
imitating the form (up to Medium size) of the spellcasting creature
reaches the hangman tree's mouth.
from whom it stole the spell. The new form appears as a clone
Ambush Hunter. The hangman tree grows in temperate and
of the spellcaster, except made completely of moss. Once in this
subtropical forests, swamps, and woodland areas. It picks a
form, the obliviax can cast the spells it has stolen. When it detects
spot to root where it feels there is most traffic, such as beside an
a creature that can cast spells, the obliviax will eerily quiver in
animal trail, river crossing, or a road.
anticipation and slowly crawl toward it.
Defense Against Magic. Creatures such as bullywugs,
Noran grimlocks, kobolds, nothics, troglodytes, and trolls that don't
have spellcasting members in their tribes sometimes cultivate
At first glance, the noran appears as an ordinary petrified tree full
obliviaxes. These creatures grow the obliviaxes in the periphery of
of knots and holes. What gives it away is its face growing out of
their encampment or lairs as a defense against magic-users, even
the trunk, with two eyelids and a mouth filled with teeth that look
occasionally feeding them a captured spellcaster. Some myconid
like crudely-sharpened wooden stakes. Above the noran's face is a
communities have been known to cohabitate with obliviaxes, using
hollow but sturdy 4-foot long, 2-foot diameter branch. The noran
them against drow raiders. Certain evil druids and hags have also
also possesses three prehensile branches, each ending in long
learned to control and bend obliviaxes to their will and use them
sharp claws. The noran can move, albeit slowly, by crawling on
as sentries and traps.
the ground with its thick stubby roots. It is normally found at the
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Bestiary