Corruption Eater

Illus. by W. England

Constrict (Ex): A boneleaf deals automatic constricting damage on a successful grapple check. Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a boneleaf must hit with a tendril attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict. Razor Leaves (Ex): The off-white leaves of a boneleaf are surprisingly tough and razor-sharp. It is these leaves that do the extra 1d4 points of damage given above on slam and constrict attacks. This extra damage is considered slashing damage. Illusory Lure (Su): A boneleaf can generate detailed but short-lived illusions, designed to lure prey into its reach. These usually take the form of something valuable lying among the trunks or of an injured individual crying for aid. This ability functions as the spell major image (PH page 252; 7th-level caster), except that this illusion lasts for only 1d61 rounds and the boneleaf must wait 1d4 rounds before using the ability again. Interaction with the illusion allows a DC 14 Will save to disbelieve. The save DC is Charisma-based. Pervasive Sentience (Ex): A boneleaf functions as an independent creature, but it is only a portion of a much larger whole. While boneleaves are encountered singly, they are not actually alone. If boneleaves are present in a given area, there are always 1d66 of them in the region. They are considered solitary creatures because each boneleaf in the group remains anywhere from 100 yards to a mile away from its nearest fellow. All the boneleaves in a group are in fact portions of the same creature, connected by miles of underground nerves. Anything one boneleaf experiences is known to all of them, so characters who encounter a second boneleaf after defeating the fi rst will fi nd it anticipates their tactics and abilities. Plantlike Traits: Although a boneleaf is not a plant, it has many traits also possessed by plants. A boneleaf is immune to magical sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, and mind-affecting spells and abilities (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). It has some fortifi cation against critical hits; 50 of all critical hits function as normal strikes. Boneleaves so closely resemble plants that a character must make a DC 15 Spot check to realize the boneleaf is anything more than a normal copse; failure indicates the character comes close enough for the creature to attack with its extended reach before he suspects anything is amiss. Skills: Boneleaves have a 12 racial bonus on Hide checks made in forested or overgrown areas.

Medium Aberration Hit Dice: 15d860 (127 hp) Initiative: 5 Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares) AC: 21 (5 Dex, 6 natural), touch 15, fl at-footed 16 Base Attack/Grapple: 11/16 Attack: Bite 11 melee (1d810/19–20 and devour corruption)† Full Attack: Bite 11 melee (1d810/19–20 and devour corruption) and 2 tentacle rakes 6 melee (1d67)† Space/Reach: 5 ft./10 ft. (tentacles) Special Attacks: Devour corruption, tainted exhalation, rend 2d47 Special Qualities: Corruption scent, damage reduction 10/good, purity vulnerability Saves: Fort 9, Ref 10, Will 11 Abilities: Str 20, Dex 20, Con 19, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 15 Skills: Hide 14, Jump 31, Listen 11, Move Silently 14,

Spot 11 Feats: Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Great Cleave, Improved

Bull Rush, Improved Critical (bite), Power Attack Environment: Temperate hills Organization: Solitary Challenge Rating: 8 Treasure: Double standard Alignment: Usually chaotic evil Advancement: 16–30 HD (Medium) Level Adjustment: — †Includes adjustments for Power Attack feat.

This creature is a hunched, emaciated humanoid. Its hairless head boasts an overlarge jaw bristling with needle-sharp teeth. Out of its mouth snakes a long tongue studded with small, toothed orifi ces. The creature’s arms are rubbery and serpentine, ending in pads covered with hooked barbs.

Corruption eaters, although they resemble ghouls and similar undead creatures, are living aberrations that feed, as their name suggests, on the taint of other living beings. A battle with a corruption eater can thus be a mixed blessing: Characters hampered by corruption fi nd their burden eased by the corruption eater’s attacks, but the corruption eater itself waxes stronger as it feeds. Characters who have embraced their taint and based powers on it might fi nd themselves losing spells or class features as the creature devours their corruption.

COMBAT

A corruption eater wades into melee against tainted characters, targeting its bite attack on the opponent with the highest corruption score while using its tentacles to attack untainted opponents. When using its bite Corruption eater attack, it opens its jaws wider than a mouth of that