Ciruja Plant (CR 3)
Small Plant
Alignment: Always neutral
Initiative: +2 (Dex); Senses: tremorsense 60 ft.
AC: 13 (+1 Size, +2 Dex), touch 13, flat-footed 11
Hit Dice: 3d8+9 (22 hp)
Fort +6, Ref +3, Will -3
Speed: 5 ft., climb 5 ft.
Space: 5 ft./5 ft.
Base Attack +2; Grapple -2
Attack: Frond +3 melee
Full Attack: 2 fronds +3 melee
Damage: Frond 1d3
Special Attacks/Actions: Poison gas, aging
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 14, Con 16, Int -, Wis 2, Cha 1
Special Qualities: Plant immunities
Feats: -
Skills:
Advancement: 4-8 HD (Medium-size), 9-12 HD (Large)
Climate/Terrain: Temperate mountains
Organization: Solitary or Patches (1-6)
Treasure/Possessions: None
Source:
Dragon #287
Dragon Compendium Vol. 1
A ciruja plant can defend itself from melee attacks by lashing about with up to two of its sharp leafy fronds. This is an attack of last resort, however; it relies on its central stalk to subdue its prey.
Poison Gas (Ex): Once prey is detected the ciruja's central stalk extends outward and expels a small spheroid at the target. This is the ciruja's primary attack, and it is treated as a +4 ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet. When the spheroid strikes a solid surface, it explodes into a cloud of pale yellow gas that fills a 5-foot diameter circle. Living creatures that come in contact with this gas must make a Fortitude save (DC 14) or be paralyzed for 3d6 minutes. A ciruja generally has eight spheroids available to launch at a time. Expended spheroids regrow in 24 hours. It is possible to harvest these spheroids for use as grenade-like weapons with a successful Disable Device check (DC 25). Harvested spheroids remain potent for 6 hours.
Aging (Su): Once the ciruja has paralyzed a victim, its roots go to work. They burrow into the dermal tissue of the victim in the space of a single round. Each point of Armor Class above 10 possessed by the victim increases this time by 1 round. One the roots are attached, the ciruja feeds on the victim's youth. Each round that passes the victim ages 1d10 years. This has no positive benefits for the victim; a creature who might grow more powerful with age does not benefit as if it had lived those years. Once the victim reaches maximum age, it dies. Should a victim survive long enough to awaken, the ciruja fires another gas sphere. The ciruja's roots consume everything organic; even bones quickly turn to dust. The only remains are any inorganic items carried by the victim.
Tremorsense (Ex): The ciruja plant can automatically sense the location of anything in contact with the ground within 6 feet of its body.