Cedar Blight Node — Creature 5 (Boss)
Stage 3 Cedar Blight Node
Large · Plant · Unholy (infernal corruption) · Mindless
Perception +12; tremorsense (imprecise) 60 feet within connected soil
Skills Athletics +15
Str +5, Dex −2, Con +5, Int −5, Wis +2, Cha −3
AC 21; Fort +15, Ref +7, Will +12
HP 95; Immunities mental, poison, unconscious; Weaknesses fire 5
Speed 0 feet (rooted; can't be forcibly moved except by collapsing the entire root base)
Melee ◆ Grasping Bough +15 (reach 15 feet), Damage 2d8+5 bludgeoning.
Melee ◆ Thorn Lash +15 (reach 20 feet), Damage 2d6+5 piercing.
Splinter Pulse ◆◆ (primal, plant) Frequency once every 1d4 rounds; Requirements at least two intact root conduits; Effect The node lashes the soil in a 15-foot emanation. Each creature other than the node and its thornlings in the area attempts a DC 21 basic Reflex save against 2d6 piercing damage. This is an ability of the Creature 5 boss, not an independent hazard or separate XP award. The root corridors shiver visibly immediately before the pulse is resolved.
Exposed Heart (custom encounter rule) At 50% or fewer HP (47 HP or fewer), or when at least two of three root conduits have been severed, the central seed becomes exposed. A nearby PC can neutralize it with the distinct seed-neutralizer in two Interact actions, immediately defeating the node. This doesn't alter the node's initiative or refresh HP.
Root Conduits Three battlefield conduits can be severed, one per interaction point. A conduit can be destroyed by Strikes against AC 18, Hardness 3, HP 12 (destroying the conduit when its HP reaches 0), or a two-action trained Nature or Crafting DC 20 activity to disrupt it. A success severs; critical success severs and exposes the seed's location; failure leaves it intact; critical failure leaves it intact and makes the acting creature off-guard until the beginning of its next turn as the roots recoil. These are objects/interactions and award no independent XP. Record three statuses on the battlemap.
Mindless Defense The node targets creatures close to its roots and the exposed core; it never negotiates, pursues beyond the grove, or calls intelligent reinforcements.