1. Blackleaf, the Brutal

Spoiler: Race/Class/Abilities
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Treant Ghost RHD +4/Barbarian 3/Fist of the Forest 1/Frenzied Berserker 5

Ability point buy: Str 12, Dex 14, Con 8, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 16


Spoiler: Lore
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Once upon a time, there was a forest. It was an old forest, given dozens of names by the various map-makers of the ages, but to its inhabitants it was just The Forest. Like all old forests, there was magic in this one. But unusually, this one also housed a sect of wild warriors and nature mages. It was from them that the treant called Blackleaf, unusually clever and curious by the standards of mobile vegetation, learned the ways of men. The Guardians of the Green trained Blackleaf in battle, but also in how to speak with humanoids and understand their ways, cautioning him that reckless aggression would only be met with greater force than he could imagine.

Eventually, the Guardians grew old. Their numbers dwindled, and some of them settled down or returned to civilization or simply died, as humanoids tend to do. Blackleaf outlived them all, and when the nearby villages tried to harvest the forest for wood or hack a highway through it, he would first politely meet with them, and then -- if necessary -- terrify them with threats of dismemberment. This was fairly effective, and he only rarely had need to actually come to violence.

Eventually, word of this reached the king, who was pointedly curious as to why a large expanse of land in his kingdom had gone almost completely without practical use. When the situation was explained to him, he pragmatically dispatched a group of mercenaries to deal with the situation. Blackleaf's reliance on scare tactics proved to be his undoing; spooked, the adventurers fell back on their habits, and cut him down. Within a year, the forest had been thoroughly pacified and was being logged.

But some part of Blackleaf lingered, watching in horror and fury. Had he not played fair, and used every means in his disposal to avoid violence? Only to be slain so unceremoniously, and see his home violated... with a grudge so deep, it's no surprise that the treant's spirit could not rest. Soon, rumors started to spread. Rumors of men going mad in the forest and turning their axes on their allies, rumors of bodies found pierced by tree roots. The king sent more mercenaries, but this time, they found nothing.

Blackleaf had learned one important lesson the day he died. The world of men was at war with his kind, and there was no sense in speaking peacefully to them any longer. That spring, the forest marched on Brightlake.


"Seriously, mate, steer clear of that forest. Some shortcuts just aren't worth it."
-Jonn of Brightlake, innkeeper
Spoiler: CR 13
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Treant Barbarian 1/Fist of the Forest 3
Huge Plant
Hit Dice: 11d8+1d12+3d10+60 (132 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 50 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 24 (–2 size, –1 Dex, +13 natural, +4 con), touch 11, flat-footed 24.
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+29
Attack: Unarmed +19 (1d10+10) or slam +19 melee (2d6+10)
Full Attack: Unarmed +19/+14/+9 (1d10+10) and one slam +14 melee (2d6+5) (the other slam is being used to punch people)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Animate trees, double damage against objects, trample 2d6+15
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/slashing, low-light vision, plant traits, vulnerability to fire, fast movement (barbarian), rage 1/day, fast movement (Fist of the Forest), AC bonus, feral trance 2/day, uncanny dodge, untamed strike, scent
Saves: Fort +16, Ref +6, Will +8
Abilities: Str 30, Dex 12, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 20, Cha 18
Skills: Diplomacy +18 (14 ranks), Handle Animal +8 (4 ranks), Intimidate +22 (18 ranks), Knowledge: Nature +17 (14 ranks), Listen +23 (18 ranks), Survival +11 (6 ranks), Spot +23 (18 ranks)
Feats: Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Cleave, Intimidating Rage, Destructive Rage

With Rage and Feral Trance: Increase AC by +2, hit points by +30, fort/ref/will saves by +2. Attack routine becomes unarmed +21 (1d10+14) or slam +21 melee (2d6+12), full attack routine becomes unarmed +21/+16/+11 (1d10+14) and two slams +16 melee (2d6+6) and bite +16 melee (1d6+6). Lasts 10 rounds.

Animate Trees (Sp): A treant can animate trees within 180 feet at will, controlling up to two trees at a time. It takes 1 full round for a normal tree to uproot itself. Thereafter it moves at a speed of 10 feet and fights as a treant in all respects. Animated trees lose their ability to move if the treant that animated them is incapacitated or moves out of range. The ability is otherwise similar to liveoak (caster level 12th). Animated trees have the same vulnerability to fire that a treant has.

Double Damage against Objects (Ex): A treant or animated tree that makes a full attack against an object or structure deals double damage.

Trample (Ex): Reflex DC 25 half. The save DC is Strength-based.

Spoiler: Strategy
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Despite his name, the treant called Blackleaf the Brutal would prefer to negotiate rather than fight; his fearsome reputation is deliberately cultivated to discourage enemies from invading his forest. Nevertheless, he is no slouch in a fight, and more than prepared to defend his home with terrible fury. His fighting style is fairly self-explanatory; he animates two trees, rallies any other nearby forest dwellers that can be persuaded to pitch in, and uses his Rage and Feral Trance abilities to shred people. Intimidating Rage is generally targeted on whoever appears to be leading the forces arrayed against him, to encourage their retreat.


"Is it just me, or is the forest getting... closer?"
-A concerned guard, the day before the Burning of Brightlake
Spoiler: CR 15
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Treant Ghost Barbarian 1/Fist of the Forest 3
Huge Undead (Incorporeal)
Hit Dice: 15d12 (97 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 50 ft., fly 30 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 24 (–2 size, –1 Dex, +13 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+29
Attack: Incorporeal touch +13 (1d4 ability drain)
Full Attack: Incorporeal touch +13 (1d4 ability drain)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Animate trees, double damage against objects
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/slashing, low-light vision, plant traits, vulnerability to fire, fast movement (barbarian), rage 1/day, fast movement (Fist of the Forest), AC bonus, feral trance 2/day, uncanny dodge, untamed strike, scent, rejuvination, turn resistance +4, manifestation, malevolence, frightful moan, draining touch
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +8
Abilities: Str 30, Dex 12, Con --, Int 16, Wis 20, Cha 22
Skills: Diplomacy +18 (14 ranks), Handle Animal +8 (4 ranks), Intimidate +24 (18 ranks), Knowledge: Nature +17 (14 ranks), Listen +23 (18 ranks), Survival +11 (6 ranks), Spot +23 (18 ranks)
Feats: Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Cleave, Intimidating Rage, Destructive Rage

Animate Trees (Sp): A treant can animate trees within 180 feet at will, controlling up to two trees at a time. It takes 1 full round for a normal tree to uproot itself. Thereafter it moves at a speed of 10 feet and fights as a treant in all respects. Animated trees lose their ability to move if the treant that animated them is incapacitated or moves out of range. The ability is otherwise similar to liveoak (caster level 12th). Animated trees have the same vulnerability to fire that a treant has.

Spoiler: Strategy
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Death requires an adjustment in tactics, for Blackleaf... at first glance, his ability to defend his forest has vastly decreased, although suddenly appearing with a frightful moan can chase off the weak-hearted. However, in truth, his lack of physical form is a minor inconvenience at most. By animating trees at-will, he has an endless supply of bodies to possess with malevolence, and although they aren't quite as potent as his original body, his Con-based class features come back online when he has a body to wear, and there's nothing preventing him from returning with a new body again and again after it's destroyed! Most creatures will be crushed or driven back without ever understanding the nature of what they're fighting, only able to perceive an endless stream of bloodthirsty treants. If needed he can attempt to wear enemies down with his incorporeal touch as well, doing his best to remain hidden as he does so. Only if his enemies identify his nature or pose a serious and immediate threat to the forest will Blackleaf attempt to possess an enemy outright, doing as much damage as possible while forcing their allies to slay them. Even if destroyed, he's likely to rejuvenate... the only way to truly solve the problem is to convince Blackleaf to lay down his grudge, or for him to successfully topple the kingdom that incurred his wrath so many years ago.


"One night, and the town was gone. Walls crushed to powder. Not a single structure left standing. I've seen monster attacks before, but this? This was war."
-Lord Yellat, missive to the king
Spoiler: CR 20
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Treant Ghost Barbarian 1/Fist of the Forest 3/Frenzied Berserker 5
Huge Undead (Incorporeal)
Hit Dice: 20d12 (130 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 50 ft., fly 30 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 24 (–2 size, –1 Dex, +13 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+29
Attack: Incorporeal touch +13 (1d4 ability drain)
Full Attack: Incorporeal touch +13 (1d4 ability drain)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Animate trees, double damage against objects
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/slashing, low-light vision, plant traits, vulnerability to fire, fast movement (barbarian), rage 1/day, fast movement (Fist of the Forest), AC bonus, feral trance 2/day, uncanny dodge, untamed strike, scent, rejuvination, turn resistance +4, manifestation, malevolence, frightful moan, draining touch
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +8
Abilities: Str 30, Dex 12, Con --, Int 16, Wis 20, Cha 22
Skills: Diplomacy +18 (14 ranks), Handle Animal +8 (4 ranks), Intimidate +29 (23 ranks), Knowledge: Nature +17 (14 ranks), Listen +28 (23 ranks), Survival +11 (6 ranks), Spot +28 (23 ranks)
Feats: Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Cleave, Intimidating Rage, Destructive Rage, Ability Focus (Malevolence)

Animate Trees (Sp): A treant can animate trees within 180 feet at will, controlling up to two trees at a time. It takes 1 full round for a normal tree to uproot itself. Thereafter it moves at a speed of 10 feet and fights as a treant in all respects. Animated trees lose their ability to move if the treant that animated them is incapacitated or moves out of range. The ability is otherwise similar to liveoak (caster level 12th). Animated trees have the same vulnerability to fire that a treant has.

Spoiler: Strategy
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No longer content with merely waiting for the axes and fire to come to him, Blackleaf is ready to bring the fight to the cities of man. His preferred strategy is to slowly move a copse of trees closer to his target settlement under cover of darkness; once released, an animated tree simply takes root wherever it is, so an entire forest can creep forward slowly. If the settlement notices and sends out forces to investigate, they are unlikely to return. Additionally, Blackleaf is smart and experienced enough to scout out his targets thoroughly, and more than willing to use his malevolence ability to throw a city into chaos with a few well-placed assassinations.

When it's finally time, he can animate and possess a tree (plus a second one for backup), march down to the town, and start tearing down walls. His deathless frenzy ability means that he can fight for at least a full minute even after taking lethal damage, and can do this three times in a single night, either bringing in more trees or simply possessing some hapless commoner and sending them on a rampage with inhuman strength. Anyone who assumes that his rampage is mindless is likely in for a grim surprise; he's smart enough to use his frenzies strategically, and isn't afraid to abandon a body and find a better angle to attack from if he's in a bad spot. However, during a frenzy he lacks much of this self-preservation sense, so a clever party could bait him into frenzying before trying to trap or exorcise him. Unfortunately, he's still likely to rejuvenate if killed, but at least he could be stalled long enough to search for a more permanent solution.


Spoiler: Build Table
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CR Class Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Skills Feats Class Features
8 Treant (7 HD) +5 +5 +2 +2 Diplomacy 10, Intimidate 10, Knowledge: Nature 10, Listen 10, Spot 6, Survival 4 Improved Unarmed Strike (1), Great Fortitude (3), Power Attack (6) Treant traits, animate trees, double damage against objects, trample
9 +4 Plant HD (11 HD) +7 +7 +3 +3 Diplomacy +4 (14), Intimidate +4 (14), Knowledge: Nature +4 (14), Listen +4 (14), Spot +4 (10), Survival 4 Cleave (9) --
10 Barbarian 1 (12 HD) +8 +9 +3 +3 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate 14, Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 (15), Spot 10, Survival +2 (6), Handle Animal +4 (4) Intimidating Rage (12) Fast movement, rage 1/day
11 Fist of the Forest 1 (13 HD) +9 +11 +5 +3 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate +2 (16), Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 (16), Spot +2 (12), Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 -- AC Bonus, Feral trance 1/day, Fast movement, primal living, unarmed damage 1d8
12 Fist of the Forest 2 (14 HD) +10 +12 +6 +3 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate +1 (17), Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 (17), Spot +3 (15), Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 -- Uncanny Dodge, Untamed strike
13 Fist of the Forest 3 (15 HD) +11 +12 +6 +4 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate +1 (18), Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 (18), Spot +3 (18), Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 Destructive Rage (15) Feral trance 2/day, scent, unarmed damage 1d10
15 Ghost template (+2 CR) +11 +12 +6 +4 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate 18, Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen 18, Spot 18, Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 -- Type change, malevolence, frightful moan, draining touch, manifestation, rejuvenation, turn resist +4
16 Frenzied Berserker 1 (16 HD) +12 +14 +6 +4 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate +1 (19), Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 c/c (19), Spot +1 c/c (19), Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 Diehard (B) Frenzy 1/day
17 Frenzied Berserker 2 (17 HD) +13 +15 +6 +4 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate +1 (20), Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 c/c (20), Spot +1 c/c (20), Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 -- Supreme cleave
18 Frenzied Berserker 3 (18 HD) +14 +15 +7 +5 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate +1 (21), Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 c/c (21), Spot +1 c/c (21), Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 Ability Focus: Malevolence (18) Frenzy 2/day
19 Frenzied Berserker 4 (19 HD) +15 +16 +7 +5 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate +1 (22), Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 c/c (22), Spot +1 c/c (22), Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 -- Deathless frenzy
20 Frenzied Berserker 5 (20 HD) +16 +16 +7 +5 Diplomacy 14, Intimidate +1 (23), Knowledge: Nature 14, Listen +1 c/c (23), Spot +1 c/c (23), Survival 6, Handle Animal 4 -- Frenzy 3/day, improved power attack


Spoiler: Sources
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Treant, Ghost, Ability Focus: Monster Manual
Frenzied Berserker, Intimidating Rage, Destructive Rage: Complete Warrior
Fist of the Forest: Complete Champion