Awakened Plants
Awakened Shrub
- Size: Small
- Type: Plant
- Alignment: Neutral
- AC: 9
- Initiative: -1 (9)
- HP: 10 (3d6)
- Speed: 20 ft
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 3 | -4 | -4 |
| Dex | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| Con | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| INT | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 6 | -2 | -2 |
- Vulnerabilities: Fire
- Resistances: Piercing
- Senses: Passive Perception 10
- Languages: Common plus one other language
- CR: 0 (XP 10; PB +2 )
Actions
Rake. Melee Attack Roll: +1 , reach 5 ft . Hit: 1 Slashing damage.
Awakened Tree
- Size: Huge
- Type: Plant
- Alignment: Neutral
- AC: 13
- Initiative: -2 (8)
- HP: 59 (7d12 + 14)
- Speed: 20 ft
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 19 | +4 | +4 |
| Dex | 6 | -2 | -2 |
| Con | 15 | +2 | +2 |
| INT | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 7 | -2 | -2 |
- Vulnerabilities: Fire
- Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing
- Senses: Passive Perception 10
- Languages: Common plus one other language
- CR: 2 (XP 450; PB +2 )
Actions
Slam. Melee Attack Roll: +6 , reach 10 ft. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) Bludgeoning damage.
Lore & Background
Awakened plants are ordinary vegetation that has gained sentience and mobility through powerful magic. This transformation typically occurs through the intervention of druids, fey creatures, or exposure to concentrated natural magic. Unlike other plant creatures that are inherently magical, awakened plants retain memories of their previous existence as ordinary flora.
The awakening process fundamentally changes a plant's nature while preserving its original characteristics. An awakened oak tree maintains its sturdy trunk and spreading branches, while an awakened shrub keeps its flexibility and smaller size. These creatures often develop strong connections to their original location and the magic-user who awakened them.
Awakened plants possess varying degrees of intelligence and personality, often reflecting their species' characteristics. Ancient trees tend to be wise and contemplative, while flowering plants might be more emotional and expressive. They serve as guardians of natural areas, companions to druids, or simply try to understand their new existence in a world they can now perceive differently.
Combat Tactics
Awakened plants fight with the advantages of their original form enhanced by intelligence and mobility. Trees use their massive bulk and reach to grab and crush opponents, while smaller plants rely on speed and their ability to blend with normal vegetation for surprise attacks.
Many awakened plants can animate nearby normal plants to assist in combat, creating an overwhelming natural assault. They use terrain to their advantage, fighting in areas where their plant nature provides camouflage and where they can call upon other vegetation for support.
These creatures are often reluctant combatants, preferring to warn off intruders rather than fight to the death. However, when protecting their territory or allies, they can be implacable foes who use every advantage their plant nature provides.
Encounter Ideas
The Grove's Guardian: An ancient awakened tree protects a sacred grove from loggers and developers, creating moral dilemmas about progress versus preservation.
The Druid's Garden: A druid's collection of awakened plants has grown wild after their master's disappearance, creating an overgrown maze filled with confused and potentially hostile plant creatures.
The Vengeful Orchard: Fruit trees awakened by fey magic seek revenge against those who carelessly harvested from them without permission or gratitude.
The Nature's Jury: Awakened plants serve as judges in a natural court, determining the fate of those accused of crimes against the environment.
Environmental Effects
Areas with awakened plants often show unique characteristics:
- Enhanced Growth: The presence of awakened plants accelerates the growth of normal vegetation, creating unusually lush areas
- Plant Communication: Normal plants in the area may exhibit subtle responses to the awakened plants' presence
- Magical Resonance: Areas with multiple awakened plants often develop minor magical properties related to nature
- Seasonal Changes: Awakened plants may dramatically alter their behavior with the seasons, becoming dormant in winter or hyperactive in spring
Treasure
Natural Resources: Awakened plants may offer gifts of rare fruits, valuable wood, or medicinal herbs to those who befriend them.
Hidden Groves: These creatures often know the locations of secret natural areas containing rare plants, clean water sources, or druidic sanctuaries.
Druidic Items: Plants awakened by druids sometimes guard their creators' possessions, including magical items and spell components.
Seeds of Power: Seeds from awakened plants may retain some magical properties, useful for growing new awakened specimens or creating magical items.
Plot Hooks
The Withering Curse: All the awakened plants in a region are slowly dying from a mysterious blight, and they believe it's connected to a specific person or location.
The Plant Parliament: Awakened plants from across the land are gathering for a great council to discuss the encroachment of civilization on natural areas.
The Hybrid Experiment: A wizard's attempts to combine awakened plants with other magical creatures have created dangerous hybrid entities that threaten the natural balance.
The Lost Druid: An awakened tree holds the key to finding a missing druid who disappeared decades ago, but it will only share information with those who prove their dedication to nature.