Shade
Monster Junkie
Whispering Pines
http://www.enworld.org/forum/genera...e-catalogue-overhaul-project-revisited-7.html
Whispering Pines (CR 5)
Whispering pines are a variety of magical tree that grows high in certain wooded mountainous regions. These trees are unusually straight and even, each branch perfectly uniform with the others, and the whole of the tree carries an inherent magical charm. This tree is sought out by wizards and those who manufacture magic weapons for its valuable wood.
Whispering pines are usually found in a stand of up to 100 pines, and each tree therein can be from 10-100 feet in total height. These trees are not self-aware, but do possess an odd sense of self-preservation. They possess damage reduction 20/magic and spell resistance 24.
The pines also have a magical sense that allows them to detect any saw-like tools or unsheathed bladed weapons within 50 yards. When a pine detects such an implement, it automatically begins a loud whispering susurration. This sound resembles many voices whispering at once, which is how the tree gets its name. Creatures hearing this sound must make a successful Will save (DC 17 +1 per every 10 trees in the stand) or be compelled to stop and listen and attempt to hear what is being "said." The effect can only be broken by removing the affected target outside of the effective radius of the tree’s detection range. If allowed to remain in that area, the enthralled victim eventually starves to death in 5d4 days. Once the trees begin their susurration, the only thing that will stop them besides removing the blades is a charm plants spell, which the entire stand makes its saving throw as a group against, adding a +1 to its saving throw for every 10 pines. A successful save grants immunity to the susurration for 24 hours (unless the target attacks the trees, as below).
Only magical blades can cut through these trees, and the lumber can be worked only with magical tools. The wood can only be burned by magical fire, which must first pass the tree’s spell resistance. If a whispering pine is struck by any nonmagical weapon, the trees regenerates all the damage instantly and the tool takes 2d20 damage (which bypasses hardness) as if it were attacked by a powerful blow. The wielder of this blade must also make a DC 17 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds, after which he must make a DC 23 Will save or be enthralled by the whispering susurration.
Whispering pine wood can be used as darkwood in the creation of objects. It is always considered of masterwork quality, and when used to craft magical weapons or wands, it reduces the cost to create by one-fourth.
Druids have a special relationship with whispering pines and sometimes arrange for a treant to protect whispering pine groves. Druids also often use speak with plants to communicate with the trees, getting particularly helpful responses. In the fall, the druids will ritually harvest the pine needles with silver hand sickles, while chanting special prayers. They trim the ends off the lower branches, dry them for 10 days, and pluck the needles from the boughs. They then use the needles to create a tea which allows the drinker to use scrying as a spell-like ability once at caster level 7 (essentially acting as a potion of scrying). Anyone who attempts to harvest and use the needles without the sacred chants is stricken with severe abdominal cramps 1d4 rounds after consuming the tea and does not gain the scrying effect.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #119 (1987).
http://www.enworld.org/forum/genera...e-catalogue-overhaul-project-revisited-7.html
Whispering Pines (CR 5)
Whispering pines are a variety of magical tree that grows high in certain wooded mountainous regions. These trees are unusually straight and even, each branch perfectly uniform with the others, and the whole of the tree carries an inherent magical charm. This tree is sought out by wizards and those who manufacture magic weapons for its valuable wood.
Whispering pines are usually found in a stand of up to 100 pines, and each tree therein can be from 10-100 feet in total height. These trees are not self-aware, but do possess an odd sense of self-preservation. They possess damage reduction 20/magic and spell resistance 24.
The pines also have a magical sense that allows them to detect any saw-like tools or unsheathed bladed weapons within 50 yards. When a pine detects such an implement, it automatically begins a loud whispering susurration. This sound resembles many voices whispering at once, which is how the tree gets its name. Creatures hearing this sound must make a successful Will save (DC 17 +1 per every 10 trees in the stand) or be compelled to stop and listen and attempt to hear what is being "said." The effect can only be broken by removing the affected target outside of the effective radius of the tree’s detection range. If allowed to remain in that area, the enthralled victim eventually starves to death in 5d4 days. Once the trees begin their susurration, the only thing that will stop them besides removing the blades is a charm plants spell, which the entire stand makes its saving throw as a group against, adding a +1 to its saving throw for every 10 pines. A successful save grants immunity to the susurration for 24 hours (unless the target attacks the trees, as below).
Only magical blades can cut through these trees, and the lumber can be worked only with magical tools. The wood can only be burned by magical fire, which must first pass the tree’s spell resistance. If a whispering pine is struck by any nonmagical weapon, the trees regenerates all the damage instantly and the tool takes 2d20 damage (which bypasses hardness) as if it were attacked by a powerful blow. The wielder of this blade must also make a DC 17 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds, after which he must make a DC 23 Will save or be enthralled by the whispering susurration.
Whispering pine wood can be used as darkwood in the creation of objects. It is always considered of masterwork quality, and when used to craft magical weapons or wands, it reduces the cost to create by one-fourth.
Druids have a special relationship with whispering pines and sometimes arrange for a treant to protect whispering pine groves. Druids also often use speak with plants to communicate with the trees, getting particularly helpful responses. In the fall, the druids will ritually harvest the pine needles with silver hand sickles, while chanting special prayers. They trim the ends off the lower branches, dry them for 10 days, and pluck the needles from the boughs. They then use the needles to create a tea which allows the drinker to use scrying as a spell-like ability once at caster level 7 (essentially acting as a potion of scrying). Anyone who attempts to harvest and use the needles without the sacred chants is stricken with severe abdominal cramps 1d4 rounds after consuming the tea and does not gain the scrying effect.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #119 (1987).
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