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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Faolyn" data-source="post: 8730060" data-attributes="member: 6915329">OK, a slightly goofy one this time: the pilfer vine. It’s a plant that picks pockets. Hey, we need more plant monsters. As the name suggests, it’s a vine. But not only that, it’s a vine that has eyes on its leaves. Well, the text describes them as “visual organs” which I’m sure is supposed to mean primitive eyespots—it also says that they’re color blind, which would follow—but I really like the idea of them having full-fledged eyeballs on their leaves. I mean, that’s just cool. Sadly, it’s another plant that’s vulnerable to fire damage, which is less cool.But anyway, since neither assassin vines nor vine blights made it to Level Up, let these guys be your vine monsters of choice!(I do wonder if these guys would work better as an exploration challenge than a monster, though.)[ATTACH=full]257641[/ATTACH]Artist: Roger RauppPilfer VineCreature Catalog III, Dragon Magazine #101Created by Richard StumpPilfer vines look like tangles of grayish-green creepers with broad, green-brown leaves. On approximately a tenth of their leaves, they have small eyes. When the eyes are closed, they look like galls. The plant’s base is a melon-like lump, in which is the vine’s vegetable brain, and the long creepers—when not in action—are usually wrapped around a tree trunk, pillar, or other support.Kleptomaniacal Plants. For reasons unknown, pilfer vines are natural thieves. Whenever a creature who is wearing clothes or carrying belongings walks within the vine’s quite extensive range, the vine will carefully try to steal from it. It has no concept of wealth; it steals whatever is shiny. Stolen objects are kept around its central lump, usually covered by leaf litter.Trainable. Some forest-dwellers such as druids have managed to train them into being guardians, in exchange for water and fertilizer and frequent gifts of shiny things. Because of their relatively high intelligence, they can quickly learn to not steal from their benefactors, and to trade the belongings they steal for shinier ones offered.Legends and LoreWith a Nature check, the characters can learn the following:DC 10. Pilfer vines look like ordinary plants, but seem compelled to steal shiny things.DC 15. Although incapable of understanding languages, pilfer vines are about as smart as a dog.DC 20. With time and effort, a pilfer vine can be trained to not steal from specified individuals, and can be trained to trade the items they stole for shinier objects.Pilfer Vine EncountersTerrain: Forest, jungle, ruinsCR 3-4 1-2 pilfer vines80 gp, 115 sp, 3 quartz gems (10 gp each), silvered dagger, pocket magic mirrorSigns1-2. Members of the party suddenly realized they’ve been pickpocketed.3. With a DC 20 Perception check, noticing some of the leaves seem to have eyes on them.4. A recently-severed, still-twitching vine.Pilfer VineLarge plantChallenge 3 (700 XP)AC 14HP 52 (8d10+16; bloodied 26)Speed 0 ft.STR 10 (+0) DEX 18 (+4) CON 14 (+2)INT 3 (-4) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 4 (-3)Proficiency +2Maneuver DC 14Skills Sleight of Hand +6 (+1d6)Damage Vulnerabilities fireDamage Resistances cold; piercingDamage Immunities bludgeoningSenses darkvision 30 ft. (blind beyond this radius)Languages —False Appearance. While the pilfer vine remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal plant.Sessile. The pilfer vine has disadvantage on saving throws against any affect that targets an area.ActionsMultiattack. The pilfer vine makes four constrict attacks. Optionally, it can make up to four Sleight of Hand checks.Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: The target takes 7 (1d4+4) bludgeoning damage and is grappled (escape DC 14). If the attack scores a critical hit, the vine wraps around the target’s neck and the target begins to suffocate. A creeper can be severed if it takes 10 or more damage in a single attack by a slashing weapon.     The pilfer vine has 20 creepers, although only four can be used at a time. Severed creepers regrow in 1 week.CombatAs they are unable to flee, a pilfer vine will only engage in combat if attacked first, and will continue to attack until it is dead.</blockquote>

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