Hortus

Source: Alien Archive 3

CR: 2 XP: 600

NG Medium plant

Init.: +0 Senses: low-light vision Perception: +7

Defense

HP: 25 RP: 3

EAC: 13 KAC: 15

Fort: +6 Ref: +4 Will: +1; +2 vs. mind-affecting, paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep, stunned

Offense

Speed: 30 ft.

Melee: tactical pike +10 (1d8+4 P)

Ranged: tactical semi-auto pistol +7 (1d6+2 P)

Offensive Abilities: None

Statistics

Str: +2 Dex: +0 Con: +4 Wis: +1 Int: +1 Cha: +0

Skills: Engineering +7, Medicine +7, Physical Science +12

Languages: Azlanti, Common, Hortaa

Gear: graphite carbon skin, tactical pike, tactical semi-auto pistol with 18 small arm rounds

Ecology

Environment: any (Croban V)

Organization: solitary, pair, or expulsion (3–16)

Special Abilities

Atmospheric Alteration (Ex) As a move action while in atmosphere, a hortus can spend 1 Resolve Point to release a mix of spores into the air. When it uses this ability, the hortus chooses a type of saving throw (Fortitude, Reflex, or Will) and whether to enhance or penalize that save. If it enhances, creatures within 20 feet gain a +2 enhancement bonus to saving throws of the chosen type for 1d4 rounds; if it penalizes, creatures within 20 feet take a –1 penalty to saving throws of the chosen type for 1d4 rounds. A creature can attempt a Fortitude save before the bonus or penalty is applied to ignore this effect. This is an inhaled poison effect. Limited Plant Benefits (Ex) Despite being plant creatures, hortuses don’t gain the standard immunities associated with creatures of the plant type. Instead, they gain a +2 racial bonus to saving throws against mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep, and stunning effects, unless the effect specifies that it is effective against plants. Slightly Poisonous (Ex) A creature that hits a hortus with a bite attack must succeed at a Fortitude save or become sickened for 1d4 rounds.