Rotheart

Overview

Rothearts are corrupted elemental spirits of the Gloomwood, twisted remnants of beings once revered as protectors of the forest. Once gentle guardians embodying the pure heart of nature, Rothearts have been consumed entirely by the forest’s spreading corruption. Now they embody decay, hunger, and a warped primal energy, becoming nightmarish reflections of their former selves.

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Physical Description

Rothearts manifest as towering amalgamations of twisted roots, rotting bark, and damp, moss-covered vegetation. They move slowly but inexorably, a mass of living decay whose limbs drip with brackish water and black sap. At their core lies a glowing, diseased heart of deep crimson, visible beneath layers of rotten bark, pulsing rhythmically with unnatural vitality. Their eyes gleam faintly within the tangled darkness, piercing and intelligent, always hungry.

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Behavior & Ecology

Rothearts dwell in corrupted, swampy glades and stagnant pools within the forest, places where life has been twisted into unnatural decay. They feed on living creatures, absorbing their vitality directly into their corrupted hearts. The ground they inhabit becomes toxic, trees blackening and plants withering at their presence, creating ever-expanding circles of decay.

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example statblock

Large Plant, Neutral Evil

Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 95 (10d10 + 40)

Speed: 25 ft.

STR 19 (+4) | DEX 8 (-1) | CON 18 (+4) | INT 6 (-2) | WIS 12 (+1) | CHA 6 (-2)

Damage Resistances: Necrotic, Poison, Bludgeoning, Piercing

Condition Immunities: Poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 11

Languages: Understands Sylvan and Common but cannot speak

Challenge: 7 (2,900 XP)

Aura of Decay. The ground within 15 feet of the Rotheart is considered difficult terrain. Any creature that starts its turn within this area must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 9 (2d8) necrotic damage. Plants and crops in this area wither and die instantly.

Death Burst. When the Rotheart dies, it explodes in a burst of rotting energy. Each creature within 15 feet must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The ground in the area becomes a corrupted zone of decay for 24 hours, and creatures that remain within it take 5 (1d10) necrotic damage at the start of each of their turns.

Actions

Multiattack. The Rotheart makes two Slam attacks.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Corrupting Vines (Recharge 5–6). The Rotheart causes vines to erupt in a 20-foot radius. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be restrained by the vines. The restrained creature takes 10 (3d6) necrotic damage at the start of its turn. A creature restrained by the vines can use its action to make a DC 15 Strength check, freeing itself on a success.

Raelan moved silently through tangled reeds and shallow pools, each careful step disturbing murky water that clung to his boots like tar. His prey—a wounded deer—had fled this way, the trail of blood leading him deeper into the swampy glade. But the elf paused suddenly, senses sharpened, his body rigid with unease.

Something was wrong.

Ahead, the air grew thicker, carrying the scent of stagnant water, rot, and something darker. Carefully, Raelan edged forward, slipping into the shadow of a massive, gnarled tree. Peering cautiously from cover, he glimpsed movement in the misty clearing beyond.

A massive form hunched there, impossibly large and strangely alive—a Rotheart. Roots and decaying vines coiled slowly, crawling like serpents across the ground. With dread fascination, Raelan watched as the corrupted spirit lifted his wounded prey in dripping, rootlike limbs, pulling it toward a cavernous opening beneath layers of blackened bark.

The deer gave one final cry of pain, weak and desperate, as it vanished into the Rotheart’s grasp. Black sap seeped hungrily from the creature’s chest, glowing heart pulsing with grotesque satisfaction as it absorbed life from its prey.

Raelan's breath froze in his lungs. For a moment, time slowed. Then, the Rotheart turned slowly, as though sensing his gaze. Its glowing eyes locked with Raelan’s, recognition burning coldly within.

The elf backed away swiftly, heart pounding, terror gnawing at the edge of his discipline. The corrupted creature made no move to pursue, its voice creaking softly like rotten wood bending beneath its own weight:

"Leave now, little hunter. Your time has not yet come."

Raelan turned and fled silently into the mists, the Rotheart’s haunting whisper echoing through his mind, a grim warning from a guardian long lost to corruption.