Gorebranch

[...] so we recommend avoiding this monster at all costs, if your limbs are precious to you that is.

— Foreverglade Monster Guide

A Horrific Mutation

Introducing, the Gorebranch. If you're ever out in the Foreverglade, beware of any tree, and we mean any tree, in the Fogged up area. Gorebranches, similar to Tree Sentinels are easily camouflaged in the deadly vegitated areas of the forest and will attack once you enter their reach. They are known mutations from their parent species with some key differences.

Appearance

While tree sentinels have a more ancient and wise appearance, Gorebranches have no rationell. They attack whatever creature gets near and do so much more ferociously than their parents. Once transformed from a dead tree to an aberrant-looking monster, they are known to have a beast-like stance, numerous yellow glowing eyes and a mouth that, when coming into contact with, can easily break bones or worse.

Fighting It

The Gorebranch are more resilient, faster and stronger than their parents, but they lose out on their intellect, as well as their summoning magiks, which gave some relief to our scientists bodyguards, since handeling only one is already deadly enough.

And there have been numerous deaths surrounding the research of this species.

Their main attacks consist of bites, branch attacks and grapples, so beware of head-on battles, especially you melee fighters!

Physical Fortitude

Contradictory to its wooden appearence, the Gorebranch does not inherently burn. It is also able to draw energy from its surrounding Fog, hardening parts of its body to lessen incoming damage.

Parent Species

Tree Sentinel

Geographic Distribution

• Foreverglade

Stay away from it, or your head will be chomped off clean.

— Traumatized Slaughterer

Gorebranch

Further Reading

Statblock

Gorebranch CR: 9

Large plant, chaotic evil (ce)

Armor Class: 17

Hit Points: 188 (17d10+89) 17d10+89

Speed: 45 ft

STR

20 +5

DEX

14 +2

CON

18 +4

INT

5 -3

WIS

12 +1

CHA

7 -2

Saving Throws: Strength +9, Constitution +8

Skills: Perception +5
Stealth +6

Damage Resistances: bludgeoning, piercing

Damage Immunities: poison

Condition Immunities: blinded, charmed, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned

Senses: darkvision 60ft.
passive Perception 15

Languages: understands Sylvan, can't speak

Challenge Rating: 9 ( 5000 XP)

Proficiency Bonus: +4

3/day:

Fog Absorption

Whenever the Gorebranch starts its turn in fog or mist, it gains 10 temporary hit points.

False Appearance

While the Gorebranch remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal tree.

Rampage

When the Gorebranch reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the Gorebranch can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack.

Actions

Multiattack

The Gorebranch makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its branches.

Bite

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 5) 3d8+5 piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the Gorebranch can’t bite another target.

Branch

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 5) 2d8+5 bludgeoning damage.

Grasping Roots

The Gorebranch targets up to three creatures it can see within 15 feet of it. Each target must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be restrained by roots (escape DC 17). Until this restraint ends, the Gorebranch can't use Grasping Roots on another target.

Reactions

Hardened Bark

When the Gorebranch takes damage, it can use its reaction to harden its bark, reducing the damage by 10 (2d6 + 3) 2d6+3 .

The Gorebranch is a mutated version of the Tree Sentinel, that loses its summoning abilities, but gains more vicious attacks.

Suggested Environments

Forests