UserShadow7989
2010-09-28, 01:09 AM
...We got fruit and pain. This is my first attempt at making monsters. I used The Vorpal Tribble's guide as a reference to put it together. Despite that, I feel this isn't the best I could do. My main problem is the crunch.
I calculated the CR with VT's guide, but I think they're a bit too strong. The latter two especially, due to having a lot of hits during a Full Attack with decent damage dice. The DCs for the saves against their abilities are loosely based on similar abilities found on d20srd.org. Their attributes are ridiculously high as well, at least as best I can tell. I do note that their absurd reach is intentional, however.
I'm hoping for some constructive criticism, and tips on how to improve next time I try my hand at a monster.
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Venus Lovers (Single Body)
Large Plant
4d8+8 (26 hp)
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares)
Initiative: +3
Armor Class: 15; touch 13; flat-footed 12
(+ 3 Dex + 2 Natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+12
Attack: Tentacle +5 touch (2d6 + 2)
Full-Attack: 2 Tentacles +5/+5 touch (2d6 + 2)
Space: 10 ft. (long); Reach 20 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Implant, Spell-like Abilities, Spores
Special Qualities: Center Body, Low-light Vision, Regeneration 5, Vulnerability to Fire, Vulnerability to Ice
Saves: Fort +6 Ref +4 Will +3
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 19
Skills: +9 Bluff, +15 Diplomacy, +6 Listen, +10 Sense Motive, +6 Spot, +5 Survival (6 points remain to spread among Appraise, any Knowledge skills, or any Craft skill(s) as DM sees fit.)
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Negotiator
Environment: Forest
Organization Name: Solitary, Couple, Grove (3-5, including Two Bodies), Garden (6-12, including Two Bodies plus 100% non-combatants plus 5-10 animals or 2-5 dire animals)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually True Neutral
Advancement: 5-9 HD (Large), 10-16 HD (Huge) OR as Druid
Level Adjustment: +4
Venus Lovers (Two Bodies)
Large Plant
10d8+30 (75 hp)
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares)
Initiative: +6
Armor Class: 19; touch 14; flat-footed 15
(+ 4 Dex + 5 Natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+18
Attack: Tentacle +10 touch (2d6 + 2)
Full-Attack: 4 Tentacles +10/+10/+10/+10 touch (2d6 + 2)
Space: 10 ft.; Reach 25 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Implant, Spell-like Abilities, Spores
Special Qualities: Dual Body, Low-light Vision, Regeneration 10, Vulnerability to Fire, Vulnerability to Ice
Saves: Fort +10 Ref +7 Will +8
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 19, Con 16, Int 24, Wis 20, Cha 24
Skills: +19 Bluff, +23 Diplomacy, +14 Gather Information, +15 Listen, +20 Sense Motive, +15 Spot, +8 Survival, +11 Use Magic Device, (20 points remain to spread among Appraise, any Knowledge, or any Craft skill(s) as DM sees fit.)
Feats: Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Negotiator
Environment: Forest
Organization Name: Solitary, Grove (3-5, including Single Bodies), Garden (6-12, including Single Bodies plus 100% non-combatants plus 5-10 animals or 2-5 dire animals)
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Usually True Neutral
Advancement: 11-13 HD (Large), 14-18 HD (Huge) OR as Druid
Level Adjustment: +7
A heavenly aroma fills the air, and the young elven wizard's worries disappear one by one. This fragrance grabs at her, slowly drawing her in. Her booted feet crunch against the leaves and sticks, and all caution is thrown to the wind. She rushes through the dense foliage, and at last she comes to the source. A large flower, at least 8ft. across and colored velvet sits between the large trees.
That wasn't what shocked her back to her senses, making her stumble back and trip over her words and hand motions in a panic to cast something, ANYTHING. It was the male figure growing from the flower's center. This must be one of those monsters that seduced and fed on humanoids, she was sure of it! The wizard was so panicked, she failed to notice the vine slithering around her until it was too late. She was pulled into the air and bound before she could scream. He smiled kindly at her, and spoke in a level voice as she struggled to escape.
"There's no need to resort to violence, young lady." The air was thick with that aroma again. She felt the hostility drain from her body, and the binds loosened enough to not be painful. "I was just wondering if we could make a deal..."
A Venus Lovers (same for singular as it is plural) is an intelligent, self aware plant monster. It's name comes from it's appearance, one or (more commonly) two average sized humanoid creatures growing from the center of a giant flower from the waist up. Each body has it's own mind, and are equally skilled at using brute force and diplomacy to get what they want.
Venus Lovers have a simplistic view on life, having not yet reached a civilized level. The majority wish only to survive and indulge, though some are curious creatures that desire to learn, and collect objects. They will bargain with adventurers that outnumber it, seem powerful, seem trustworthy, and/or have a strong connection to nature such as druids.
They offer information, the location of it's hidden goods, or even their assistance in exchange for allowing it to plant seeds into their skin or a task they need done. However, when dealing with those that seem week willed or hostile, or if the plant feels it's life nearing it's end, it will act more forceful. They are capable of releasing powerful fragrances with mind affecting properties, and can manipulate animals or enemies with these scents. Some will even keep animals as pets.
Venus Lovers are very light for their size, if difficult to hold. While they can never take the 'ride' skill, they can be carried with moderate difficulty or pulled along on a cart or wagon with ease. They weigh an average of 120 lbs with one body and 175 lbs with two. Their flower bottom is a near perfect circle, 8 ft. in diameter, 5 ft. top to bottom.
Venus Lovers speak Common and Druidic.
===Combat (Single Body)===
Venus Lovers, should they not use diplomacy or the negotiations fall flat, will start off by attempting to attract an enemy to itself with a sweet scent. Once in reach, it will lash out with it's tentacles to grapple or bludgeon them. When outnumbered or an enemy is within attack range, it will release spores to confuse and scare enemies. When grappling, it will seed the target, then use their weakened state to convince them to leave it be. It's very rare for a Venus Lovers to use anything but non-lethal attacks.
Older Venus Lovers are likely to keep large animals around to help protect itself. They're known to use weapons and even armor from adventurers they've defeated or traded with if they learned how it works from watching, talking, or fighting users. Smarter ones will, on an extremely rare but not unheard of occasion, hire mercenaries or join a tribe of barbarians for protection.
Spell-like Abilities
At will - Charm Monster (DC14), Command (DC 18), Speak With Plants, Suggestion (DC14). Caster level 10th. The save DCs are Charisma-based. These are treated as (Ex) abilities. Other then Speak With Plants, all Spell-like Abilities can only affect creatures with a sense of smell.
Center Body (Ex)
A Venus Lovers' humanoid half is vastly smaller then the rest of it's body. The humanoid shape of a Venus Lovers is treated as a medium creature in terms of carrying capacity and what types of equipment/items it can use.
Improved Grab (Ex)
To use this ability, a Venus Lovers must hit with its tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can implant. Venus Lovers gain a +3 racial bonus to grapple checks, which is already included in the stat block.
Implant (Ex)
As a Free Action when grappling, a Venus Lovers may jab seeds from their palms or vines into the Tiny size or larger creature's skin. The seeds remain attached to the target creature for 2d4 days, causing Fatigue and inflicting a -4 penalty to Will Saves for as long as they're attached (starting from the moment they're attached). The seeds will fall from the victim over this time, landing on the ground and slowly growing into a new Venus Lovers over the course of a year. Seeds may be forcibly removed, but deal 1d6 nonlethal damage for each remaining day in the process and do not grow.
Regeneration (Ex)
Fire and ice deal normal damage to a Venus Lovers. If a Venus Lovers loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.
Spores (Ex)
The Venus Lovers releases a cloud of yellow spores into the air around them. Any breathing creatures within 35 ft. of the Venus Lovers must make a Fortitude Save (DC 14) or become Confused and Shaken by a myriad of hallucinations.
===Combat (Two Bodies)===
Spell-like Abilities
At will - Charm Monster (DC21), Command (DC 24), Mass Suggestion (DC 19), Speak With Plants, Suggestion (DC21). Caster level 14th. The save DCs are Charisma-based. These are treated as (Ex) abilities. Other then Speak With Plants, all Spell-like Abilities can only affect creatures with a sense of smell.
Dual Body (Ex)
A Venus Lovers' humanoid halves are vastly smaller then the rest of it's body. Each of the humanoid shapes of a Venus Lovers are treated as medium creatures in terms of carrying capacity and what types of equipment/items it can use.
In addition, each body can carry it's own weapons and items. When using a weapon, each body is treated as an individual. One body using a 1-handed weapon and the other using another 1-handed weapon is not treated as two weapon fighting. Each has two hands to hold objects, and two bodies (but no legs or feet) to wear items on.
While shield bonuses stack between the two, each body must equip it's own armor, and the lowest armor bonus to AC (if any) is the one applied. If one body does not have armor, the Venus Lovers gains no armor bonus to AC. Any other benefits provided by the armor(s) are still applied, but benefits of the same type on two different armors do not stack.
Each of the bodies equipped with a manufactured weapon may make an attack independently of the other body. This means a single Venus Lovers (Two Bodies) may, as a Full Round Action, make one Full Attack with manufactured weapons with one body and one Full Attack with manufactured weapons with the other, or one Full Attack with manufactured weapons and one Full Attack with their natural weapons. They cannot make standard attacks, two natural attacks, or use Special Attacks with this ability.
When grappling, this creature can perform a Full Attack or Single Attack each round as if it weren't grappling. It still can't do anything else a creature normally can't do while grappling.
Improved Grab (Ex)
To use this ability, a Venus Lovers must hit with its tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can implant. Venus Lovers gain a +3 racial bonus to grapple checks, which is already included in the stat block.
Implant (Ex)
As a Free Action when grappling, a Venus Lovers may plant seeds into the Tiny size or larger creature's skin. The seeds remain attached to the target creature for 2d4 days, causing Fatigue and inflicting a -4 penalty to Will Saves for as long as they're attached (starting from the moment they're attached). The seeds will fall from the victim over this time, landing on the ground and slowly growing into a new Venus Lovers over the course of a year. Seeds may be forcibly removed, but deal 5d6 nonlethal damage in the process and do not grow.
Regeneration (Ex)
Fire and ice deal normal damage to a Venus Lovers. If a Venus Lovers loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.
Spores (Ex)
The Venus Lovers releases a cloud of yellow spores into the air around them. Any breathing creatures within 70 ft. of the Venus Lovers must make a Fortitude Save (DC 19) or become Confused and Shaken by a myriad of hallucinations.
Lore: Knowledge (Nature)
{table=head]DC|Description
10|A Venus Lovers is a plant monster with one or more commonly two humanoid upper bodies coming from the center. They implant seeds into a creature's skin to reproduce, weakening the creature until the seeds are removed. Reveals Implant, Regeneration, Weakness to Fire and Weakness to Ice.
15|The Venus Lovers will commonly keep some animals around to act as body guards. The smarter members of their species will even hire mercenaries, on exceedingly rare occasions.
20|A Venus Lovers emits sweet scents to attract prey, then pulls them in with sticky vines to implant it's seeds. It is very intelligent, and will often try to bargain with adventurers in exchange for letting them plant their seeds. Reveals Spell-like Abilities, Improved Grab, and Negotiator feat.
25|Each body matches a humanoid's torso almost seamlessly, and have their own will and mind. Reveals Center Body/Dual Body.
30|If all else fails, a Venus Lovers will release spores into the air that cause disturbing hallucinations when inhaled. Despite their determination to plant their seeds, they rarely use lethal force outside self defense, and will usually prefer to negotiate. It's tendency to collect valuable items for use as bargaining chips leads it to find and hide various rarities and oddities. Reveals Spores.[/Table]
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Bloody Venus
Large Plant
8d8+40+16 (92 hp)
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Initiative: +7
Armor Class: 18; touch 13; flat-footed 13
(+5 Dex +5 Natural -2 Blind Rage)
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+18
Attack: Tentacle +11 touch (3d6 + 8)
Full-Attack: 4 Tentacles +11/+11/+11/+11 touch (3d6 + 8)
Space: 10 ft. (long); Reach 20 ft.
Special Attacks: Blind Rage, Improved Grab, Thorned Limb, Rotting Stench, Wring Out
Special Qualities: Low-light Vision, Regeneration 10, Vulnerability to Fire, Vulnerability to Ice
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +7, Will 0
Abilities: Str 22(+4), Dex 20, Con 21(+4), Int 1, Wis 3, Cha 3
Skills: None
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack
Environment: Forest
Organization Name: Solitary, Mob (2-30, plus 1-6 mid level casters capable of controlling them)
Challenge Rating: 9
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil
Advancement: 9-11 HD (Large), 14-16 HD (Huge), 17-18 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: N/A
It's approach was subtle as nails on a chalkboard. The band of knights drew their weapons, as tree after tree was torn from the ground. They were warned by the plant creature of this beast's power, but they would let it attack villages no longer. The trail of blood, both literal and metaphorical would end here.
Just as the creature entered their line of sight, the most foul stench they had ever smelled filled the air. It was the stench of decay, of rotting flesh and spoiled blood. The monster finally tore through the line of trees, reducing the mighty timber to splinters. It's thorn covered vines shot out with precision, aiming to crush the knights and squeeze their very life blood from their bodies.
A Bloody Venus (same for singular as it is plural) is the result of a Venus Lovers' seeds taking root in a dead body or undead creature. These aggressive beasts have none of their parent's intelligence, and fear of creating such dangerous monsters are the reason most Venus Lovers avoid using lethal means. These beasts feed on blood and flesh, favoring the species of creature it grew from, or the bodies of their more passive cousins.
Always enraged, the Bloody Venus takes on the color of the fluid it grew from instead of their parent's leafy greens. It's body is covered in thorns and it's roots are much more versatile, allowing it better mobility and damage in exchange for losing the intelligence to form packs and use weapons. There are never Bloody Venus with two bodies. Their rage causes one to kill and devour the other from the moment they gain sentience. Sometimes, one can spot the rotting bits of plant matter that once was the other body.
They secrete blood, creating a horrid, rotting stench. They're constantly licking the blood whenever they have nothing else to do. Despite that, they leave an obvious trail of blood as they move. This makes them a threat to Venus Lovers' reproduction, as seeds in their path can be corrupted by this blood.
===Combat===
A Bloody Venus has no sophisticated battle plans. It moves in, grabs a target, and starts draining them of blood, relying on high HP, regeneration, nauseating stench, and temporary hitpoints to keep alive. When being managed by a caster, they're far more dangerous due to the number of strategies and buffs the caster has access to.
Blind Rage (Ex)
The bloodlust of a Bloody Venus is never ending. A Bloody Venus is treated as permanently under the effects of the Barbarian class' Rage class ability. It gains a +4 bonus to Strength, a +4 bonus to Constitution, and a +2 morale bonus on Will saves, but takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class. The increase in Constitution increases it’s hit points by 2 points per level. These bonuses are already included in the statistics block. The Strength and Constitution bonuses increase to +6 at 11 or more HD, and +8 at 1
Improved Grab (Ex)
To use this ability, a Bloody Venus must hit a Large or smaller opponent with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict. Bloody Venus receive a +3 racial bonus on grapple checks, which is already included in the statistics block.
Regeneration (Ex)
Fire and ice deal normal damage to a Venus Lovers. If a Venus Lovers loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.
Rotting Stench (Ex)
A Bloody Venus constantly releases a putrid stench, making just getting close or moving away a horrible experience. Any breathing creatures within 15 ft. of a Bloody Venus must make a Fortitude Save (DC18) each round or become Nauseated for the round. This does not stack with similar effects from other creatures.
Thorny Limb (Ex)
When the Bloody Venus is involved in a grapple attempt, the opposing creature receives 1d2 piercing damage from it's thorns. Any creature damaged by this receives a -2 penalty to their grapple check.
Wring Out (Ex)
Once it's victim is in it's grasp, the Bloody Venus holds it over it's head as a pin and begins to squeeze as hard as it can. As the name implies, it attempts to wring out the blood of it's victim like water from cloth. As a full round action that provokes attacks of opportunity, the Bloody Venus inflicts 1d6 Bludgeoning damage, 1d6 Piercing damage, and causes the target 1d4 constitution damage each round the pin is maintained.
For every round the pin is maintained, the Bloody Venus gains 5 temporary hit points. Each round the Bloody Venus maintains the pin, it provokes an additional attack of opportunity.
Lore: Knowledge (Nature)
{table=head]DC|Description
5|A Venus Lovers is a plant monster with one or more commonly two humanoid upper bodies coming from the center. They implant seeds into a creature's skin to reproduce, weakening the creature until the seeds are removed. Gives information on a Venus Lover's Implant, Regeneration, and Fire and Ice Weaknesses, incorrectly implying the Bloody Venus is a Venus Lovers.
20|The Bloody Venus is born as a result of a Venus Lovers seed sprouting from a dead body. It is a vicious attacker, not to be confused with it's more reasonable cousins. Ignore the incorrect piece of Lore before this one, and give information on it's Blind Rage, Regeneration, and Fire and Ice Weaknesses.
25|A Bloody Venus shares some of it's cousin's fighting tactics, though it trades the ability to use charm effects for vastly better mobility. It's versions of the Venus Lovers' abilities are much more deadly, and designed to drain the blood of enemies for food. Reveals Improved Grab, Thorny Limb, and Wring Out.
30|Where the Venus Lovers releases a sweet fragrance, the spoiled blood that constantly leaks from this gluttonous beast create a putrid stench that will reduce any who inhale it to a vomiting wreck.[/Table]
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===Plot Hooks===
A young child has disappeared into the woods, chasing after a pleasant scent or family pet. The family is worried the child has been taken by a monster, and informs the party they believe a Venus Lovers is to blame (This reveals Information as Knowledge (Nature) check of 15), possibly planning to seed the child (which may cause severe harm for one so young) or keep him/her as a pet.
An injured Venus Lovers stumbles into town, warning the party of a caster who is enslaving Venus Lovers to create an army of Bloody Venus. It grants them the location of the caster's hideout, as well as some items it stole during it's escape. They must set up a defense with the town, and/or infiltrate the caster's hideout.
A youth engaged to the love of his life has been reduced to an emotional wreck. Their fiance had disappeared into the woods to chase after an attractive humanoid figure, and they suspect that the creature enchanted their love. While plausible, the youth seems a bit... off. How much of that story is true, and if not, why lie?
When the group enters the thick forest, they stumble upon a despairing Venus Lovers. One of the people it planted seeds into was killed by bandits, and it's seeds have sprouted into Bloody Venus that have begun attacking the surrounding areas. Fearing the nearby villages may blame it and try to hunt it down, it begs the group to help it eradicate it's demented offspring before a mob comes to attack it.
A large crowd gathers around the town square. Pushing your way to the center, you spot a Venus Lovers that has set up shop- literally. It's offering a wide selection of crazy, questionable items, and selling information on rare objects it's heard of or hidden. If what it says is true, it knows the location of a long lost relic of untold power. The price on that bit of information is vastly too steep to afford normally, but you might be able to get a large discount if you offer to spread it's seeds. Alternately, it's come across a rare and dangerous object, and is searching for body guards to escort it to a safe hiding place to be rid of it.
The Venus Lovers ended up being a bit of a hodgepodge. I wanted a monster that can be responded to either diplomacy or violence, and can fight a number of ways. Despite that, I like the flavor and versatility. The Bloody Venus is much more straightforward, being a rampaging brute with vicious reach, great durability, and is difficult to fight close up.
Edits:
10/2/10: Fixed some crunch errors.
I calculated the CR with VT's guide, but I think they're a bit too strong. The latter two especially, due to having a lot of hits during a Full Attack with decent damage dice. The DCs for the saves against their abilities are loosely based on similar abilities found on d20srd.org. Their attributes are ridiculously high as well, at least as best I can tell. I do note that their absurd reach is intentional, however.
I'm hoping for some constructive criticism, and tips on how to improve next time I try my hand at a monster.
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Venus Lovers (Single Body)
Large Plant
4d8+8 (26 hp)
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares)
Initiative: +3
Armor Class: 15; touch 13; flat-footed 12
(+ 3 Dex + 2 Natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+12
Attack: Tentacle +5 touch (2d6 + 2)
Full-Attack: 2 Tentacles +5/+5 touch (2d6 + 2)
Space: 10 ft. (long); Reach 20 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Implant, Spell-like Abilities, Spores
Special Qualities: Center Body, Low-light Vision, Regeneration 5, Vulnerability to Fire, Vulnerability to Ice
Saves: Fort +6 Ref +4 Will +3
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 19
Skills: +9 Bluff, +15 Diplomacy, +6 Listen, +10 Sense Motive, +6 Spot, +5 Survival (6 points remain to spread among Appraise, any Knowledge skills, or any Craft skill(s) as DM sees fit.)
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Negotiator
Environment: Forest
Organization Name: Solitary, Couple, Grove (3-5, including Two Bodies), Garden (6-12, including Two Bodies plus 100% non-combatants plus 5-10 animals or 2-5 dire animals)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually True Neutral
Advancement: 5-9 HD (Large), 10-16 HD (Huge) OR as Druid
Level Adjustment: +4
Venus Lovers (Two Bodies)
Large Plant
10d8+30 (75 hp)
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares)
Initiative: +6
Armor Class: 19; touch 14; flat-footed 15
(+ 4 Dex + 5 Natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+18
Attack: Tentacle +10 touch (2d6 + 2)
Full-Attack: 4 Tentacles +10/+10/+10/+10 touch (2d6 + 2)
Space: 10 ft.; Reach 25 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Implant, Spell-like Abilities, Spores
Special Qualities: Dual Body, Low-light Vision, Regeneration 10, Vulnerability to Fire, Vulnerability to Ice
Saves: Fort +10 Ref +7 Will +8
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 19, Con 16, Int 24, Wis 20, Cha 24
Skills: +19 Bluff, +23 Diplomacy, +14 Gather Information, +15 Listen, +20 Sense Motive, +15 Spot, +8 Survival, +11 Use Magic Device, (20 points remain to spread among Appraise, any Knowledge, or any Craft skill(s) as DM sees fit.)
Feats: Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Negotiator
Environment: Forest
Organization Name: Solitary, Grove (3-5, including Single Bodies), Garden (6-12, including Single Bodies plus 100% non-combatants plus 5-10 animals or 2-5 dire animals)
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Usually True Neutral
Advancement: 11-13 HD (Large), 14-18 HD (Huge) OR as Druid
Level Adjustment: +7
A heavenly aroma fills the air, and the young elven wizard's worries disappear one by one. This fragrance grabs at her, slowly drawing her in. Her booted feet crunch against the leaves and sticks, and all caution is thrown to the wind. She rushes through the dense foliage, and at last she comes to the source. A large flower, at least 8ft. across and colored velvet sits between the large trees.
That wasn't what shocked her back to her senses, making her stumble back and trip over her words and hand motions in a panic to cast something, ANYTHING. It was the male figure growing from the flower's center. This must be one of those monsters that seduced and fed on humanoids, she was sure of it! The wizard was so panicked, she failed to notice the vine slithering around her until it was too late. She was pulled into the air and bound before she could scream. He smiled kindly at her, and spoke in a level voice as she struggled to escape.
"There's no need to resort to violence, young lady." The air was thick with that aroma again. She felt the hostility drain from her body, and the binds loosened enough to not be painful. "I was just wondering if we could make a deal..."
A Venus Lovers (same for singular as it is plural) is an intelligent, self aware plant monster. It's name comes from it's appearance, one or (more commonly) two average sized humanoid creatures growing from the center of a giant flower from the waist up. Each body has it's own mind, and are equally skilled at using brute force and diplomacy to get what they want.
Venus Lovers have a simplistic view on life, having not yet reached a civilized level. The majority wish only to survive and indulge, though some are curious creatures that desire to learn, and collect objects. They will bargain with adventurers that outnumber it, seem powerful, seem trustworthy, and/or have a strong connection to nature such as druids.
They offer information, the location of it's hidden goods, or even their assistance in exchange for allowing it to plant seeds into their skin or a task they need done. However, when dealing with those that seem week willed or hostile, or if the plant feels it's life nearing it's end, it will act more forceful. They are capable of releasing powerful fragrances with mind affecting properties, and can manipulate animals or enemies with these scents. Some will even keep animals as pets.
Venus Lovers are very light for their size, if difficult to hold. While they can never take the 'ride' skill, they can be carried with moderate difficulty or pulled along on a cart or wagon with ease. They weigh an average of 120 lbs with one body and 175 lbs with two. Their flower bottom is a near perfect circle, 8 ft. in diameter, 5 ft. top to bottom.
Venus Lovers speak Common and Druidic.
===Combat (Single Body)===
Venus Lovers, should they not use diplomacy or the negotiations fall flat, will start off by attempting to attract an enemy to itself with a sweet scent. Once in reach, it will lash out with it's tentacles to grapple or bludgeon them. When outnumbered or an enemy is within attack range, it will release spores to confuse and scare enemies. When grappling, it will seed the target, then use their weakened state to convince them to leave it be. It's very rare for a Venus Lovers to use anything but non-lethal attacks.
Older Venus Lovers are likely to keep large animals around to help protect itself. They're known to use weapons and even armor from adventurers they've defeated or traded with if they learned how it works from watching, talking, or fighting users. Smarter ones will, on an extremely rare but not unheard of occasion, hire mercenaries or join a tribe of barbarians for protection.
Spell-like Abilities
At will - Charm Monster (DC14), Command (DC 18), Speak With Plants, Suggestion (DC14). Caster level 10th. The save DCs are Charisma-based. These are treated as (Ex) abilities. Other then Speak With Plants, all Spell-like Abilities can only affect creatures with a sense of smell.
Center Body (Ex)
A Venus Lovers' humanoid half is vastly smaller then the rest of it's body. The humanoid shape of a Venus Lovers is treated as a medium creature in terms of carrying capacity and what types of equipment/items it can use.
Improved Grab (Ex)
To use this ability, a Venus Lovers must hit with its tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can implant. Venus Lovers gain a +3 racial bonus to grapple checks, which is already included in the stat block.
Implant (Ex)
As a Free Action when grappling, a Venus Lovers may jab seeds from their palms or vines into the Tiny size or larger creature's skin. The seeds remain attached to the target creature for 2d4 days, causing Fatigue and inflicting a -4 penalty to Will Saves for as long as they're attached (starting from the moment they're attached). The seeds will fall from the victim over this time, landing on the ground and slowly growing into a new Venus Lovers over the course of a year. Seeds may be forcibly removed, but deal 1d6 nonlethal damage for each remaining day in the process and do not grow.
Regeneration (Ex)
Fire and ice deal normal damage to a Venus Lovers. If a Venus Lovers loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.
Spores (Ex)
The Venus Lovers releases a cloud of yellow spores into the air around them. Any breathing creatures within 35 ft. of the Venus Lovers must make a Fortitude Save (DC 14) or become Confused and Shaken by a myriad of hallucinations.
===Combat (Two Bodies)===
Spell-like Abilities
At will - Charm Monster (DC21), Command (DC 24), Mass Suggestion (DC 19), Speak With Plants, Suggestion (DC21). Caster level 14th. The save DCs are Charisma-based. These are treated as (Ex) abilities. Other then Speak With Plants, all Spell-like Abilities can only affect creatures with a sense of smell.
Dual Body (Ex)
A Venus Lovers' humanoid halves are vastly smaller then the rest of it's body. Each of the humanoid shapes of a Venus Lovers are treated as medium creatures in terms of carrying capacity and what types of equipment/items it can use.
In addition, each body can carry it's own weapons and items. When using a weapon, each body is treated as an individual. One body using a 1-handed weapon and the other using another 1-handed weapon is not treated as two weapon fighting. Each has two hands to hold objects, and two bodies (but no legs or feet) to wear items on.
While shield bonuses stack between the two, each body must equip it's own armor, and the lowest armor bonus to AC (if any) is the one applied. If one body does not have armor, the Venus Lovers gains no armor bonus to AC. Any other benefits provided by the armor(s) are still applied, but benefits of the same type on two different armors do not stack.
Each of the bodies equipped with a manufactured weapon may make an attack independently of the other body. This means a single Venus Lovers (Two Bodies) may, as a Full Round Action, make one Full Attack with manufactured weapons with one body and one Full Attack with manufactured weapons with the other, or one Full Attack with manufactured weapons and one Full Attack with their natural weapons. They cannot make standard attacks, two natural attacks, or use Special Attacks with this ability.
When grappling, this creature can perform a Full Attack or Single Attack each round as if it weren't grappling. It still can't do anything else a creature normally can't do while grappling.
Improved Grab (Ex)
To use this ability, a Venus Lovers must hit with its tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can implant. Venus Lovers gain a +3 racial bonus to grapple checks, which is already included in the stat block.
Implant (Ex)
As a Free Action when grappling, a Venus Lovers may plant seeds into the Tiny size or larger creature's skin. The seeds remain attached to the target creature for 2d4 days, causing Fatigue and inflicting a -4 penalty to Will Saves for as long as they're attached (starting from the moment they're attached). The seeds will fall from the victim over this time, landing on the ground and slowly growing into a new Venus Lovers over the course of a year. Seeds may be forcibly removed, but deal 5d6 nonlethal damage in the process and do not grow.
Regeneration (Ex)
Fire and ice deal normal damage to a Venus Lovers. If a Venus Lovers loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.
Spores (Ex)
The Venus Lovers releases a cloud of yellow spores into the air around them. Any breathing creatures within 70 ft. of the Venus Lovers must make a Fortitude Save (DC 19) or become Confused and Shaken by a myriad of hallucinations.
Lore: Knowledge (Nature)
{table=head]DC|Description
10|A Venus Lovers is a plant monster with one or more commonly two humanoid upper bodies coming from the center. They implant seeds into a creature's skin to reproduce, weakening the creature until the seeds are removed. Reveals Implant, Regeneration, Weakness to Fire and Weakness to Ice.
15|The Venus Lovers will commonly keep some animals around to act as body guards. The smarter members of their species will even hire mercenaries, on exceedingly rare occasions.
20|A Venus Lovers emits sweet scents to attract prey, then pulls them in with sticky vines to implant it's seeds. It is very intelligent, and will often try to bargain with adventurers in exchange for letting them plant their seeds. Reveals Spell-like Abilities, Improved Grab, and Negotiator feat.
25|Each body matches a humanoid's torso almost seamlessly, and have their own will and mind. Reveals Center Body/Dual Body.
30|If all else fails, a Venus Lovers will release spores into the air that cause disturbing hallucinations when inhaled. Despite their determination to plant their seeds, they rarely use lethal force outside self defense, and will usually prefer to negotiate. It's tendency to collect valuable items for use as bargaining chips leads it to find and hide various rarities and oddities. Reveals Spores.[/Table]
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Bloody Venus
Large Plant
8d8+40+16 (92 hp)
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Initiative: +7
Armor Class: 18; touch 13; flat-footed 13
(+5 Dex +5 Natural -2 Blind Rage)
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+18
Attack: Tentacle +11 touch (3d6 + 8)
Full-Attack: 4 Tentacles +11/+11/+11/+11 touch (3d6 + 8)
Space: 10 ft. (long); Reach 20 ft.
Special Attacks: Blind Rage, Improved Grab, Thorned Limb, Rotting Stench, Wring Out
Special Qualities: Low-light Vision, Regeneration 10, Vulnerability to Fire, Vulnerability to Ice
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +7, Will 0
Abilities: Str 22(+4), Dex 20, Con 21(+4), Int 1, Wis 3, Cha 3
Skills: None
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack
Environment: Forest
Organization Name: Solitary, Mob (2-30, plus 1-6 mid level casters capable of controlling them)
Challenge Rating: 9
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil
Advancement: 9-11 HD (Large), 14-16 HD (Huge), 17-18 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: N/A
It's approach was subtle as nails on a chalkboard. The band of knights drew their weapons, as tree after tree was torn from the ground. They were warned by the plant creature of this beast's power, but they would let it attack villages no longer. The trail of blood, both literal and metaphorical would end here.
Just as the creature entered their line of sight, the most foul stench they had ever smelled filled the air. It was the stench of decay, of rotting flesh and spoiled blood. The monster finally tore through the line of trees, reducing the mighty timber to splinters. It's thorn covered vines shot out with precision, aiming to crush the knights and squeeze their very life blood from their bodies.
A Bloody Venus (same for singular as it is plural) is the result of a Venus Lovers' seeds taking root in a dead body or undead creature. These aggressive beasts have none of their parent's intelligence, and fear of creating such dangerous monsters are the reason most Venus Lovers avoid using lethal means. These beasts feed on blood and flesh, favoring the species of creature it grew from, or the bodies of their more passive cousins.
Always enraged, the Bloody Venus takes on the color of the fluid it grew from instead of their parent's leafy greens. It's body is covered in thorns and it's roots are much more versatile, allowing it better mobility and damage in exchange for losing the intelligence to form packs and use weapons. There are never Bloody Venus with two bodies. Their rage causes one to kill and devour the other from the moment they gain sentience. Sometimes, one can spot the rotting bits of plant matter that once was the other body.
They secrete blood, creating a horrid, rotting stench. They're constantly licking the blood whenever they have nothing else to do. Despite that, they leave an obvious trail of blood as they move. This makes them a threat to Venus Lovers' reproduction, as seeds in their path can be corrupted by this blood.
===Combat===
A Bloody Venus has no sophisticated battle plans. It moves in, grabs a target, and starts draining them of blood, relying on high HP, regeneration, nauseating stench, and temporary hitpoints to keep alive. When being managed by a caster, they're far more dangerous due to the number of strategies and buffs the caster has access to.
Blind Rage (Ex)
The bloodlust of a Bloody Venus is never ending. A Bloody Venus is treated as permanently under the effects of the Barbarian class' Rage class ability. It gains a +4 bonus to Strength, a +4 bonus to Constitution, and a +2 morale bonus on Will saves, but takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class. The increase in Constitution increases it’s hit points by 2 points per level. These bonuses are already included in the statistics block. The Strength and Constitution bonuses increase to +6 at 11 or more HD, and +8 at 1
Improved Grab (Ex)
To use this ability, a Bloody Venus must hit a Large or smaller opponent with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict. Bloody Venus receive a +3 racial bonus on grapple checks, which is already included in the statistics block.
Regeneration (Ex)
Fire and ice deal normal damage to a Venus Lovers. If a Venus Lovers loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.
Rotting Stench (Ex)
A Bloody Venus constantly releases a putrid stench, making just getting close or moving away a horrible experience. Any breathing creatures within 15 ft. of a Bloody Venus must make a Fortitude Save (DC18) each round or become Nauseated for the round. This does not stack with similar effects from other creatures.
Thorny Limb (Ex)
When the Bloody Venus is involved in a grapple attempt, the opposing creature receives 1d2 piercing damage from it's thorns. Any creature damaged by this receives a -2 penalty to their grapple check.
Wring Out (Ex)
Once it's victim is in it's grasp, the Bloody Venus holds it over it's head as a pin and begins to squeeze as hard as it can. As the name implies, it attempts to wring out the blood of it's victim like water from cloth. As a full round action that provokes attacks of opportunity, the Bloody Venus inflicts 1d6 Bludgeoning damage, 1d6 Piercing damage, and causes the target 1d4 constitution damage each round the pin is maintained.
For every round the pin is maintained, the Bloody Venus gains 5 temporary hit points. Each round the Bloody Venus maintains the pin, it provokes an additional attack of opportunity.
Lore: Knowledge (Nature)
{table=head]DC|Description
5|A Venus Lovers is a plant monster with one or more commonly two humanoid upper bodies coming from the center. They implant seeds into a creature's skin to reproduce, weakening the creature until the seeds are removed. Gives information on a Venus Lover's Implant, Regeneration, and Fire and Ice Weaknesses, incorrectly implying the Bloody Venus is a Venus Lovers.
20|The Bloody Venus is born as a result of a Venus Lovers seed sprouting from a dead body. It is a vicious attacker, not to be confused with it's more reasonable cousins. Ignore the incorrect piece of Lore before this one, and give information on it's Blind Rage, Regeneration, and Fire and Ice Weaknesses.
25|A Bloody Venus shares some of it's cousin's fighting tactics, though it trades the ability to use charm effects for vastly better mobility. It's versions of the Venus Lovers' abilities are much more deadly, and designed to drain the blood of enemies for food. Reveals Improved Grab, Thorny Limb, and Wring Out.
30|Where the Venus Lovers releases a sweet fragrance, the spoiled blood that constantly leaks from this gluttonous beast create a putrid stench that will reduce any who inhale it to a vomiting wreck.[/Table]
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===Plot Hooks===
A young child has disappeared into the woods, chasing after a pleasant scent or family pet. The family is worried the child has been taken by a monster, and informs the party they believe a Venus Lovers is to blame (This reveals Information as Knowledge (Nature) check of 15), possibly planning to seed the child (which may cause severe harm for one so young) or keep him/her as a pet.
An injured Venus Lovers stumbles into town, warning the party of a caster who is enslaving Venus Lovers to create an army of Bloody Venus. It grants them the location of the caster's hideout, as well as some items it stole during it's escape. They must set up a defense with the town, and/or infiltrate the caster's hideout.
A youth engaged to the love of his life has been reduced to an emotional wreck. Their fiance had disappeared into the woods to chase after an attractive humanoid figure, and they suspect that the creature enchanted their love. While plausible, the youth seems a bit... off. How much of that story is true, and if not, why lie?
When the group enters the thick forest, they stumble upon a despairing Venus Lovers. One of the people it planted seeds into was killed by bandits, and it's seeds have sprouted into Bloody Venus that have begun attacking the surrounding areas. Fearing the nearby villages may blame it and try to hunt it down, it begs the group to help it eradicate it's demented offspring before a mob comes to attack it.
A large crowd gathers around the town square. Pushing your way to the center, you spot a Venus Lovers that has set up shop- literally. It's offering a wide selection of crazy, questionable items, and selling information on rare objects it's heard of or hidden. If what it says is true, it knows the location of a long lost relic of untold power. The price on that bit of information is vastly too steep to afford normally, but you might be able to get a large discount if you offer to spread it's seeds. Alternately, it's come across a rare and dangerous object, and is searching for body guards to escort it to a safe hiding place to be rid of it.
The Venus Lovers ended up being a bit of a hodgepodge. I wanted a monster that can be responded to either diplomacy or violence, and can fight a number of ways. Despite that, I like the flavor and versatility. The Bloody Venus is much more straightforward, being a rampaging brute with vicious reach, great durability, and is difficult to fight close up.
Edits:
10/2/10: Fixed some crunch errors.