Malevolent and Benign

Lets start this long weekend off with a big fungal baddie... The artist is Jeff Womack.

FUNGAL RENDER

SIZE: Large (15 ft. tall)
MOVE: 30 ft.
ARMOR CLASS: 9
HIT DICE: 12
ATTACKS: 6
DAMAGE: See below
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Crush
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Fast healing
MAGIC RESISTANCE: None
RARITY: Very rare
NO. ENCOUNTERED: 1
LAIR PROBABILITY: 95%
TREASURE: In Lair: 3-24 cp, 3-18 sp, 2-12 ep, 2-8 gp, 1-6 pp, 1-4 gems (50%)
INTELLIGENCE: None
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
LEVEL/X.P.: 7 / 2,900 + 16/hp

General information: Fungal renders are extremely rare giant mushrooms possessing mobility and a predator’s instincts. They are typically only encountered in underground fungal forests, but have occasionally been seen on the surface. Averaging 15 feet in height, the render has ten rope-like tendrils dangling from the circumference of the it’s cap. These tendrils are covered in a sticky, sap-like substance. The fungal render attacks with these tendrils. If only one tendril hits, no damage is done, but if two or more hit the target creature takes 1-4 hit points of damage per tendril each round as the fungal render pulls its victim apart. A fungal render’s tendrils are very elastic and can stretch up to three times the render’s height. The chance of dislodging a tendril is equal to the chance of opening doors. A tendril is severed after receiving 10 hit points of damage against AC 3. Damage to a tendril does no harm to the fungal render; only attacks against its cap, trunk, or roots can slay a render.

When reduced to 10 hit points or fewer, a fungal render will throw itself upon its attackers in a devastating crush attack dealing 4-20 points of damage to any creatures underneath it. Up to 3 medium-sized creatures can be attacked in this manner. It takes a fungal render 2 rounds to right itself once after a crush attack. During this period it can only attack with 4 of its tendrils, as the others are occupied by setting itself upright.

A fungal render heals quickly, regaining 2 hit points per turn. One severed tendril can be regenerated over the same period of time. A fungal render can only detect creatures within 50 feet of its stalk via light detecting “eyes,” and it will only pursue fleeing prey for a short time (three rounds) before losing interest and returning to its favored location.

Physical description: A fungal render is a mushroom of vast magnitude with several tendrils that extend from the cap, which it uses to tear apart its food. The trunk is flexible and sways to avoid blows. Fungal renders can grow up to 20 feet tall, but most average around 15 feet. Their caps are a dark purple, their trunks and tendrils a dark red, and their lamellae a dark orange. When uprooted, twelve thick, root-like black tendrils support the lumbering mushroom. Upon its trunk are rows of argent spots, which the render uses as primitive eyes.