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Special Conversion Thread: Plants
- Thread starter Shade
- Start date
Cleon
Legend
There's a few missing or extraneous words in the flavour text and one typo:
"This squat, broad rose bush boasts about twenty brllliant scarlet, each" is presumably "twenty brilliant scarlet blossoms".
Plus, "Firethorns gain their name from their ability to store heat from the sunlight, resulting in their the blossoms glowing like banked embers in the dark." has two thes that aren't needed.
There's also a "beign" that should be "being".
There's also a few "thats" and a "somehow" which can be cut out without sacrificing meaning.
Also they don't only radiate heat at night, since presumably they use stored heat for the fire damage of their Thorny Defence.
Revising...
This squat, broad rose bush boasts about twenty brilliant scarlet blossoms, each with an attendant thorn. There are no thorns on the main branches of the bush, nor are there any on the flower stems except near the bloom. The blossoms give off a distinctive, heady perfume.
The firethorn, or sea rose, is a rare plant that only grows along tropical or subtropical sea coasts. The only place it is known to grow in abundance is on several isolated tropical islands. Firethorns can be found scattered in coastal seasonal grasslands but more commonly spread in clusters to form dense, matted carpets in tropical saltwater swamplands.
Firethorns gain their name from their ability to absorb heat from sunlight, resulting in their blossoms glowing like banked embers in the dark. They store the excess warmth in their thorns until evening, then radiate the heat at night, leading some people to speculate that this heat exchange is necessary to their growth and propagation. A single firethorn bush radiates heat about equal to a small lantern, several bushes together may emit as much heat as a bonfire. Firethorns can also emit their stored heat in rapid bursts to burn creatures that disturb them.
A typical firethorn grows to a radius of 4 feet.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Updated.
Here's the next one...
Amber Lotus Flowers
Armor Class: 9
Hit Dice: ½
Movement: 0
Attacks: 1
Damage: special Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 0 (3-18)
Save As: Normal Man
Morale: 12
Treasure Type: Nil
Amber lotus flowers look like golden water lilies the size of sunflowers. When a creature approaches within 10' the blossoms open and spray a 40' x 40' cloud of pollen. Any individual within the affected area must save vs. Spells or fall asleep for 4-16 turns. The flowers can spray a fresh burst of pollen every 3-12 rounds. Amber lotus flowers are often found acting in concert with other deadly plants such as vampire roses and killer trees.
Originally appeared in X2 - Castle Amber (1981).
Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix version…
Plant, Dangerous (Mystara), Amber Lotus
Climate/Terrain: Temperate to tropical forests, jungles, and swamps
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Day
Diet: Soil, water
Intelligence: Non- (0)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 3d6
Armor Class: 9
Movement: Nil
Hit Dice: 1-4 hit points
THAC0: Nil
No. of Attacks: 0
Damage/Attack: Nil
Special Attacks: Sleep pollen
Special Defenses: Nil
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: T (6” diameter)
Morale: Steady (12)
XP Value: 15
Mystara is home to a number of hostile plants. Most are innocent in appearance, and the majority of characters will not be able to identify them. Characters who encounter a hostile plant gain the ability to identify that species in the future.
If desired, a DM may allow druids to identify dangerous plants before stumbling into them. This should involve an ability check or other die roll; the identification process should not be error free. As a guideline, most druids should be able to identify such plants with a Wisdom check made at 50%. In addition, PCs with the Herbalism proficiency may be able to identify such plants with a proficiency check made at 50%.
Amber Lotus
These flowers look like golden water lilies as large as sunflowers growing in calm ponds or swamps; some varieties grow on vines that creep up tree trunks. Their attractive appearance and serene setting is deceptive to the viewer, giving no clue as to the flower’s true nature.
The amher lotus flower responds to ground vibrations. When a creature approaches within 10 feet of the plant, its blossoms open, each spraying a cloud of pollen 40 feet in diameter. Any individual within the flower’s pollen cloud must make a successful saving throw vs. poison or fall fast asleep for 4d4 turns. Nothing can wake the victim sooner.
The flowers can spray a fresh burst of pollen every 3d4 rounds. Creatures that are resistant to sleep and charm spells (such as elves, half-elves, and pegataurs) are equally resistant to the pollen of the amber lotus flower.
Amber lotus flowers get their nutrition in the same way as normal plants; no unusual conditions are required for its health. The pollen spray is a defense mechanism to protect the flower from potential threats. Amber lotus flowers are often found groing with other deadly plants such as vampire roses, archer bushes, or killer trees. The amber lotus flower enjoy a symbiotic relationship with these, and other floral predators. The amber lotus flower incapacitates a victim, the other plants than kill it, and all benefit from fertilization resulting from the victim’s remains.
Some humans and other intelligent creatures may cultivate this flower for protection around homes, forbidden places, temples, and so forth. Druids and elves sometimes use the amber lotus flower to guard sacred worship sites, and are rumored to somehow train the plants to spray pollen only on strangers who trespass.
The sleep pollen is prized by alchemists for sleep powders and even poisonous sleep salve that can be smeared on a weapon. A dozen amber lotus flowers are required to make enough sleep poison to fill one vial; such a vial contains enough salve to coat one short sword or the equivalent.
Savage Coast Monstrous Compendium Appendix version…
Plant (Savage Coast), Amber Lotus
Climate/Terrain: River
Frequency: Common
Organization: Bed
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Nil
Intelligence: Non- (0)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: 10
Movement: Nil
Hit Dice: 1 hp
THAC0: 20
No. of Attacks: 0
Damage/Attack: Nil
Special Attacks: Sleep
Special Defenses: Nil
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: S (1’ diameter)
Morale: Average (8-10)
XP Value: 35/1,400
Amber Lotus
The amber lotus is a variety of aquatic plant thriving in the Dream River marking the eastern border of Renardy. The amber lotus has wide, circular leaves, much like those found on a water lily. Depending on the winds, amber lotus pollen can travel for miles, sticking to everything it touches (grass, trees, creatures, etc.). Amber lotus pollen acts as a powerful sleeping poison. Anyone who comes in contact with the pollen must make a successful saving throw vs. poison with a -2 penalty or fall asleep for a minimum 1d4+1 days. If the wind does not shift, the victim will never wake up. The victims of the sleeping pollen often die from attacks by other creatures while asleep. Their bodies then decay and provide nourishment for the plants.
The powerful sleeping effect of the amber lotus has so far prevented both Eusdrian and Renardois expansion to the north. Batracines are immune to amber lotus and can often be found hiding underneath or sitting on the lotus pads.
A bed of amber lotus contains 3d100+100 plants. Anyone approaching closer to the bed than 1 yard per plant is affected by the sleeping spores.
A victim who survives an encounter with the amber lotus receives 35 experience points. Actually wiping out a bed of these plants earns characters an additional award of 1,400 experience points.
Here's the next one...
Amber Lotus Flowers
Armor Class: 9
Hit Dice: ½
Movement: 0
Attacks: 1
Damage: special Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 0 (3-18)
Save As: Normal Man
Morale: 12
Treasure Type: Nil
Amber lotus flowers look like golden water lilies the size of sunflowers. When a creature approaches within 10' the blossoms open and spray a 40' x 40' cloud of pollen. Any individual within the affected area must save vs. Spells or fall asleep for 4-16 turns. The flowers can spray a fresh burst of pollen every 3-12 rounds. Amber lotus flowers are often found acting in concert with other deadly plants such as vampire roses and killer trees.
Originally appeared in X2 - Castle Amber (1981).
Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix version…
Plant, Dangerous (Mystara), Amber Lotus
Climate/Terrain: Temperate to tropical forests, jungles, and swamps
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Day
Diet: Soil, water
Intelligence: Non- (0)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 3d6
Armor Class: 9
Movement: Nil
Hit Dice: 1-4 hit points
THAC0: Nil
No. of Attacks: 0
Damage/Attack: Nil
Special Attacks: Sleep pollen
Special Defenses: Nil
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: T (6” diameter)
Morale: Steady (12)
XP Value: 15
Mystara is home to a number of hostile plants. Most are innocent in appearance, and the majority of characters will not be able to identify them. Characters who encounter a hostile plant gain the ability to identify that species in the future.
If desired, a DM may allow druids to identify dangerous plants before stumbling into them. This should involve an ability check or other die roll; the identification process should not be error free. As a guideline, most druids should be able to identify such plants with a Wisdom check made at 50%. In addition, PCs with the Herbalism proficiency may be able to identify such plants with a proficiency check made at 50%.
Amber Lotus
These flowers look like golden water lilies as large as sunflowers growing in calm ponds or swamps; some varieties grow on vines that creep up tree trunks. Their attractive appearance and serene setting is deceptive to the viewer, giving no clue as to the flower’s true nature.
The amher lotus flower responds to ground vibrations. When a creature approaches within 10 feet of the plant, its blossoms open, each spraying a cloud of pollen 40 feet in diameter. Any individual within the flower’s pollen cloud must make a successful saving throw vs. poison or fall fast asleep for 4d4 turns. Nothing can wake the victim sooner.
The flowers can spray a fresh burst of pollen every 3d4 rounds. Creatures that are resistant to sleep and charm spells (such as elves, half-elves, and pegataurs) are equally resistant to the pollen of the amber lotus flower.
Amber lotus flowers get their nutrition in the same way as normal plants; no unusual conditions are required for its health. The pollen spray is a defense mechanism to protect the flower from potential threats. Amber lotus flowers are often found groing with other deadly plants such as vampire roses, archer bushes, or killer trees. The amber lotus flower enjoy a symbiotic relationship with these, and other floral predators. The amber lotus flower incapacitates a victim, the other plants than kill it, and all benefit from fertilization resulting from the victim’s remains.
Some humans and other intelligent creatures may cultivate this flower for protection around homes, forbidden places, temples, and so forth. Druids and elves sometimes use the amber lotus flower to guard sacred worship sites, and are rumored to somehow train the plants to spray pollen only on strangers who trespass.
The sleep pollen is prized by alchemists for sleep powders and even poisonous sleep salve that can be smeared on a weapon. A dozen amber lotus flowers are required to make enough sleep poison to fill one vial; such a vial contains enough salve to coat one short sword or the equivalent.
Savage Coast Monstrous Compendium Appendix version…
Plant (Savage Coast), Amber Lotus
Climate/Terrain: River
Frequency: Common
Organization: Bed
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Nil
Intelligence: Non- (0)
Treasure: Nil
Alignment: Neutral
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: 10
Movement: Nil
Hit Dice: 1 hp
THAC0: 20
No. of Attacks: 0
Damage/Attack: Nil
Special Attacks: Sleep
Special Defenses: Nil
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: S (1’ diameter)
Morale: Average (8-10)
XP Value: 35/1,400
Amber Lotus
The amber lotus is a variety of aquatic plant thriving in the Dream River marking the eastern border of Renardy. The amber lotus has wide, circular leaves, much like those found on a water lily. Depending on the winds, amber lotus pollen can travel for miles, sticking to everything it touches (grass, trees, creatures, etc.). Amber lotus pollen acts as a powerful sleeping poison. Anyone who comes in contact with the pollen must make a successful saving throw vs. poison with a -2 penalty or fall asleep for a minimum 1d4+1 days. If the wind does not shift, the victim will never wake up. The victims of the sleeping pollen often die from attacks by other creatures while asleep. Their bodies then decay and provide nourishment for the plants.
The powerful sleeping effect of the amber lotus has so far prevented both Eusdrian and Renardois expansion to the north. Batracines are immune to amber lotus and can often be found hiding underneath or sitting on the lotus pads.
A bed of amber lotus contains 3d100+100 plants. Anyone approaching closer to the bed than 1 yard per plant is affected by the sleeping spores.
A victim who survives an encounter with the amber lotus receives 35 experience points. Actually wiping out a bed of these plants earns characters an additional award of 1,400 experience points.
Cleon
Legend
It's still got some typos:
This squat, broad rose bush boasts about twenty brllliant scarlet blossoms, each with an attendant thorn. There are no thorns on the main branches of the bush, nor are there any on the flower stems except near the bloom. The blossoms give off a distinctive, heady perfume.
COMBAT
Though not agressive, sea roses have effective modes of self-defense. Anyone plucking one of the blooms or brushing against one is subiect to attack by the thorns that spring out at the offending creature.
Should be:
This squat, broad rose bush boasts about twenty brilliant scarlet blossoms, each with an attendant thorn. There are no thorns on the main branches of the bush, nor are there any on the flower stems except near the bloom. The blossoms give off a distinctive, heady perfume.
COMBAT
Though not aggressive, sea roses have effective modes of self-defense. Anyone plucking one of the blooms or brushing against one is subject to attack by the thorns that spring out at the offending creature.
Cleon
Legend
Sure looks like a Hazard to me.
No objection to 2 versions, with short-duration variant being a species that grows with Plant monsters as in the X2 and Mystara MC Appendix examples.
We could call them Mystaran and Savage Coast Amber Lotuses, but it would be better to give them names that aren't world-specific.
How about making the X2/Mystaran version the Amber Lotus, and the Savage Coast one a "Riverine Amber Lotus" since it only grows in rivers, while the standard Amber Lotus is found in tropical forests, jungles and swamps. Note the River version is more abundant, growing in beds of 103-400 plants instead of the regular version's cluster of 3-18 plants.
freyar
Extradimensional Explorer
I'm inclined to go with hazard as well. I'd be inclined to make the hazard an entire bed of the plants, though, not an individual plant. Doing 100+ saves in the river case is too many! 
I'm inclined to make the sleeping effect just some kind of Ex ability rather than a poison, but I could be swayed.
I'm inclined to make the sleeping effect just some kind of Ex ability rather than a poison, but I could be swayed.
Shade
Monster Junkie
I'm inclined to go with hazard as well. I'd be inclined to make the hazard an entire bed of the plants, though, not an individual plant. Doing 100+ saves in the river case is too many!
Agreed wholeheartedly!
Ditto.
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