Infernal Brightling
INFERNAL BLIGHTLING CREATURE 2
[UNCOMMON] [MEDIUM] [FIEND] [PLANT]
Infernal blightlings are young offshoots of the corruption spreading beneath the Palakar Forest. Their roots are slick with black sap, their bark splits with dull ember-light, and hooked tendrils move with an almost deliberate cruelty. They are not true devils, but prolonged exposure to infernal breaches has twisted the blight into something that increasingly resembles one.
Perception +8; darkvision
Languages understands Infernal and Sylvan but can't speak
Skills Athletics +9, Stealth +7 (+9 in forests), Survival +8
Str +4, Dex +2, Con +3, Int –2, Wis +2, Cha +0
AC 18
Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +8
HP 36
Resistances fire 3
Weaknesses vitality 3
Speed 25 feet, climb 15 feet
Melee ◆ claw +11, Damage 1d8+4 slashing plus infernal lignification
Melee ◆ tendril +11 (reach 10 feet), Damage 1d6+4 bludgeoning
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Infernal Lignification [curse] [primal]
When the blightling damages a creature with its claw, the target must attempt a DC 18 Fortitude save as black veins briefly spread beneath its skin.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes a –5-foot status penalty to its Speeds until the start of its next turn.
Failure The creature takes a –5-foot status penalty to its Speeds and is clumsy 1 until the end of its next turn.
Critical Failure As failure, but the Speed penalty is –10 feet and lasts for 1 minute. The creature can attempt a new DC 18 Fortitude save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
This effect represents the first stages of the blight's original lignification ability: muscles stiffen, skin hardens, and thin woody fibers begin forming beneath the flesh.
Hellroot Eruption ◆◆ [fire] [primal]
Frequency once per 1d4 rounds
The blightling drives its tendrils into the ground, causing burning black roots to erupt in a 10-foot burst within 30 feet. Creatures in the area attempt a DC 18 Reflex save.
Critical Success No damage.
Success Half damage.
Failure 1d6 piercing plus 1d6 fire damage.
Critical Failure Double damage and the creature falls prone.
The affected squares become difficult terrain until the start of the blightling's next turn.
Black Sap Reprisal ↻ [fire]
Trigger A creature within 5 feet deals slashing or piercing damage to the blightling.
Effect A pressurized pocket of black sap bursts from the wound. The triggering creature must attempt a DC 17 Reflex save.
Critical Success Unaffected.
Success 1 fire damage.
Failure 1d4 fire damage.
Critical Failure 1d4 fire damage and the creature is dazzled until the end of its next turn as smoking sap splashes across its face.
TACTICS
An infernal blightling prefers to begin combat from vegetation or elevated roots. It uses Hellroot Eruption to disrupt clustered enemies, then attacks isolated targets with its claws to spread lignification.
Blightlings show an unnatural preference for attacking fey, animals, and creatures using primal magic. When badly injured, they become more aggressive rather than retreating.
GM NOTES
Role: Mobile skirmisher / battlefield disruptor.
Best use: 1 blightling against a level 1 party as part of another encounter, or 2–3 against a level 2–3 party depending on encounter budget.
Story clue: When slain, its roots contain tiny veins of gold-colored mineral growth mixed with the black sap. Religion or Arcana can later identify this as evidence that the forest corruption has begun absorbing infernal influence.