VINE STALKER - By Bill Silvey
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 1-3
ARMOUR CLASS: 5
MOVE: 6"
HIT DICE: 5+1
% IN LAIR: 100%
TREASURE TYPE: C
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-8/1-8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Entanglement
SPECIAL DEFENSES: None
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Semi
ALIGNMENT:
SIZE: M (6')
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IV/350+3 per hit point
A distant relative of the Shambling Mound (q.v.) the Vine Stalker is an animated plant of sorts that lurks in dense jungles and marshes, and strikes out at it's prey with long,
whip like arms, seeking to entangle them and drag them to their death in whatever bog they occupy. The decay of the unfortunate adventurer of course fertilizes the soil for the Vine Stalker, "feeding" it. All around the Vine Stalker's lair, deep within the muck, various bits of treasure from past unwary travelers may be found. Of course, the
presence of rotting bodies brings other creatures as well - for every Vine Stalker encountered, there is a 75% probability that any heap of filth will be infested with Rot Grubs (q.v.)
The vine Stalker's chief method of attack is as noted above; if a to-hit roll is made with both "arms" on a single target, the target is Entangled, and takes an additional 1-8 points of crushing damage every round until a Bend Bars/Lift Gates roll can be made to free the would be victim. Strength bonuses may be added together to accomplish this.
The Vine Stalker appears to be a vaguely humanoid creature, with luminescent eyes and clusters of tentacles hanging from where the "shoulders" would be on more wholesome creatures... It's coloration runs towards deep browns and greens, and it is nearly impossible to spot if standing still in it's forsaken grotto...