Upheaval

Basidirond

CR 5, N Medium Plant

Senses: Perception 0, Low Light Vision, TremorsenseA creature with tremorsense is sensitive to vibrations in the ground and can automatically pinpoint the location of anything that is in contact with the ground. Aquatic creatures with tremorsense can also sense the location of creatures moving through water. The ability's range is specified in the creature's descriptive text.

Speed: 20 ft.  Skills: None

Languages: None

Ability Scores: Str 20 (+12), Dex 13 (+3), Con 16 (+10), Int --, Wis 11 (+2), Cha 1 (-3)

INIT: +1  CP: +5  HP: 52 (7d8+21)  SA: --  DC: 18

AC: 18  Touch: 11  Flat-footed: 17 [+1 Dodge, +7 Natural]

SR: --  Vulnerable: --  Resistant: --  Bypass: --

Immunity: Cold, Poison, Psychic  Effect Immunity: Enchantment Spells, Illusions, Mental Effects, Paralysis, Polymorph, Sleep, Stun, Suffocation, Starvation

QUALITIES

Cold Lethargy (ex) - This creature is immune to cold damage but any cold effect slows it for 1d4 rounds.

ACTIONS
Attacks

Basidirond Cloud (ex, Mental, Poison, 1/minute) - A basidirond can release a cloud of invisible spores in a 20-foot radius. All creatures within the area must succeed on a Con save or be affected by powerful hallucinations as long as they remain in the cloud plus 1d4 rounds after leaving. A new save must be made each round a creature remains within the affected area. Roll 1d6:

  1. You're sinking in quicksand! Fall prone and spend 1 round flailing your arms and legs as if trying to swim.
  2. Attacked by a swarm of spiders! Spend a full round action to attack the floor near you with your weapon.
  3. An item you hold has turned into a viper! Drop it and flee from the item at top speed for 1 round.
  4. You're suffocating! Stand in place, hold your breath, and clutch at your throat for 1 round.
  5. You've shrunk to 1/10th your normal size! Take no actions for 1 round and monsters won't see you.
  6. You're melting! Grasp hold of yourself in an attempt to hold yourself together, and take no actions for 1 round.

DESCRIPTION

Environment: any non-cold underground

Organization: None

Treasure: incidental

This strange plant consists of four spidery stalks, long green tendrils, and an inverted bell-shaped cap filled with spores.

The strange fungal basidirond is a deadly plant monster that feeds on mineral-rich moisture, be it runoff from cave walls or fresh blood. By ensuring a constant flow of nutritious moisture, canny cave dwellers can use basidironds as guardians for their lairs, although they must take care to avoid the plant's hunting routes lest they become its latest victims.

The basidirond is believed to be related to the ascomoid (see that entry), and like its distant relative, makes its lair in underground natural caverns. Unlike the ascomoid's lair that is usually damp or wet, the basidirond's lair is unusually dry. A basidirond stands about 7 feet tall. The basidirond attacks by striking with its cone-shaped cap or by firing a line of spores at an opponent. Basidirond Hallucination Cloud Rather than confusing an opponent, you can randomly determine hallucinations for each creature affected. The duration remains the same as detailed under the creature's special attack. BASIDIROND HALLUCINATION CLOUD 1d8 Hallucination 1 Individual believes he is in a swamp and strips off gear and armor to avoid sinking. 2 Individual believes he is being attacked by a swarm of spiders. He attacks the floor and surrounding area. 3 Individual believes item held has turned into a viper; drops item and retreats back from it. 4 Suffocation-Individual believes he is suffocating and gasps for air and clutches throat. 5 Individual believes he has shrunk to 1/10 normal size. He begins yelling for help. 6 Individual believes his associates have contracted a disease. He will not come closer than 10 feet. 7 Individual believes he is melting; grasps self in attempt to hold together. 8 Individual believes his back is covered with leeches. He tears armor, clothing, etc. from his back to get at them.