Giant SundewThis plant is covered with dozens of clear tendrils, each tipped
with a glistening red bulb. Whiplike fronds unfurl from the center.Giant Sundew CR 12Source Bestiary 6 pg. 258
XP 19,200
N Huge plant
Init +12; Senses low-light vision, tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +28DefenseAC 27, touch 17, flat-footed 18 (+8 Dex, +1 dodge, +10 natural,
–2 size)
hp 153 (18d8+72)
Fort +15, Ref +16, Will +9
Defensive Abilities stupefaction pollen; DR 10/slashing; Immune acid, plant traitsOffenseSpeed 20 ft.
Melee 2 slams +21 (2d6+10/19–20 plus 1d6 acid and adhesive)
Space 15 ft., Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks constrict (2d6+10 plus 1d6 acid)StatisticsStr 31, Dex 26, Con 18, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +13; CMB +25; CMD 44
Feats Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Critical (slam), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Lunge, Power
Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +28EcologyEnvironment temperate swamps
Organization solitary, pair, or grove (3–8)
Treasure incidentalSpecial AbilitiesAcid (Ex) A giant sundew secretes a potent, flesh-eating acid that quickly dissolves most organic material but does not affect metal or stone.
Adhesive (Ex) A giant sundew’s body exudes a sticky adhesive, holding fast any creatures or items that touch it. A giant sundew automatically grapples any creature it hits with its slam attack. Opponents so grappled cannot get free while the sundew is alive without first removing the adhesive. A weapon that strikes a giant sundew is stuck fast unless the wielder succeeds at a DC 23 Reflex save. A successful DC 20 Strength check is needed to pry off a stuck weapon. Strong alcohol or universal solvent dissolves the adhesive, but the giant sundew can still grapple normally. The substance breaks down naturally 5 rounds after a sundew dies and is rendered inert for 1 round immediately after the giant sundew takes 10 or more points of cold damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Stupefaction Pollen (Ex) Once per day, the first time a giant sundew has fewer than half its hit points (76 or fewer for the typical giant sundew), it releases a transparent cloud of pollen; this effect happens automatically and does not require an action of any sort on the giant sundew’s behalf. The pollen cloud fills the area in a 20-foot radius around the giant sundew. All creatures caught in the area of effect must succeed at a DC 23 Fortitude save or take 1d6 points of Intelligence damage and be staggered for 1d4 rounds.DescriptionUnlike its smaller, insect-eating cousin, a giant sundew actively seeks out prey using its shallow but sturdy roots to slowly pull itself through its boggy environs. When a giant sundew attacks, it does so by slamming targets with its thick, leaflike fronds, each of which is covered with globules of sticky, acidic goo. The giant sundew exudes an unmistakable scent of honey—an attractive odor that often proves irresistible to nearby creatures.
Although the giant sundew is not quite a mindless monstrosity, its intellect is barely more than instinctive, and it has little ability to discern between allies and enemies. If it attacks a creature that is immune to acid or adhesive qualities, the sundew is smart enough to avoid attacking that foe in future rounds (although it continues to slam such targets with its fronds in self defense, if needed). Despite sundews’ inability to form alliances, many more intelligent forest-dwelling creatures take advantage of the sticky plants and use them as organic traps to help gather prey. Will-o’-wisps in particular are quite fond of the methods a sundew uses to capture and consume prey, for the anguish and fear of creatures stuck to a plant that is slowly dissolving and digesting them form quite a delicious tonic of horror for the wisps to feed upon.
A full-grown giant sundew can reach a height of over 20 feet and weighs 4,000 pounds.
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