Prairie Sentinel
Medium Undead (Elemental-Like), Neutral
Armor Class: 13 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 45 (6d8 + 18)
Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Challenge Rating: 2 (450 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 16 | 16 | 3 | 16 | 5 |
Saving Throws: Strength +4, Dexterity +5, Wisdom +5
Skills: Stealth +5, Perception +5
Damage Vulnerabilities: Fire
Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities: Poison, Psychic
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Senses: Blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), Passive Perception 15
Languages: Understands Common and Sylvan but cannot speak
Spellcasting
“”
Actions & Abilities
Multiattack: The Prairie Sentinel makes two Windswept Strikes.
Windswept Strike: – Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
– Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away from the Prairie Sentinel. This attack mimics the forceful gusts of wind that punctuate life on the prairie, emphasizing the Sentinel’s connection to its environment.
Bristling Defense (Recharge 5-6): Once per encounter, as a reaction to taking damage, the Prairie Sentinel can raise its arms dramatically, causing its body to weave with the grass of the prairie.
– The Sentinel gains a +2 bonus to AC until the start of its next turn, representing a sudden hardening of grass and increased readiness to absorb blows.
Tremor of the Earth (Recharge 6): The Prairie Sentinel channels the energy of the land to create a minor earthquake.
– Area: 20-foot radius centered on the Prairie Sentinel.
– Each creature in the area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw.
– On a failed save: The creature takes 9 (2d8) bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone.
– On a successful save: The creature takes half as much damage and remains standing. This ability showcases the Sentinel’s ancient connection to the earth, demonstrating its power to manipulate the very ground beneath intruders.
Wind’s Embrace (Recharge 5-6): The Prairie Sentinel calls upon the winds to shield itself and nearby allies.
– All allies within 30 feet gain temporary hit points equal to 1d6 + the Prairie Sentinel’s Wisdom modifier (which is +2). The winds provide an ethereal barrier that disperses incoming attacks.
– This ability symbolizes the protective nature of the Sentinel and enhances teamwork among its kind.
Appearance
Prairie Sentinel Physical Description
-
Size and Shape: The Prairie Sentinel is medium-sized, standing about 4 feet tall with a broad, squat body reminiscent of a small tree trunk. Its stocky, robust structure gives it a sense of stability and groundedness, akin to a ancient guardian watching over the land.
-
Coloration: Its body is primarily a rich golden-brown, mirroring the hues of sun-kissed prairie grasses. There are subtle variations in coloring across its form, with darker shades of green and earthen tones woven throughout, enhancing its ability to blend into the landscape.
-
Texture and Surface Features: The surface of the Prairie Sentinel is made up of tightly woven grass and straw, creating a rugged and fibrous texture. There are also patches of hardened mud that give parts of its form a rougher, almost clay-like solidity. Bits of twigs and small stones are intertwined within its body, adding to its earthy feel and providing a sense of connection to the land.
-
Facial Features: The head of the Prairie Sentinel is vaguely humanoid, shaped like a nondescript visage with no defined mouth. Its eyes are round and shimmering, resembling glistening dew droplets, conveying a sense of watchfulness and serenity. These eyes reflect a soft light that changes with the weather, glimmering intensely on bright days and dimming under cloudy skies. A subtle indentation at the center of its forehead mimics a frown, giving it an ever-present look of solemn duty.
-
Limbs and Appendages: The arms of the Sentinel are long and sinewy, with limbs shaped like the branches of a weeping willow. Each arm ends in broad, paw-like appendages that lack claws but are capable of powerful, sweeping motions. Though it does not require bladed weapons, these appendages can deliver strong, non-lethal strikes. The legs are sturdy, allowing it to remain firmly rooted in place, while also being agile enough to navigate the rolling terrain of the prairie.
-
Special Features: The Prairie Sentinel’s most striking feature is its ability to camouflage almost perfectly within its surroundings. Its eyes, reflective of the skies, take on the hues of its environment, glowing softly in the moonlight or brightening with the sun, giving it a mystical quality. Additionally, a faint, ethereal breeze flows through its grass-like form, giving off a light rustling sound as it moves—a gentle echo of the prairie winds.
-
Posture and Movement: The Prairie Sentinel generally adopts an upright, yet slightly hunched posture, evoking an ancient watchman waiting in vigilance. While its default stance is alert and steady, it can spring into action with surprising grace and speed when defending its territory or reacting to intruders. Its movements are deliberate yet fluid, embodying a confidence that suggests both patience and readiness.
-
Additional Notable Traits: The creature has long strands of grass that trail from its arms, fluttering gently in the wind, much like hair in the breeze. At particular times, the strands catch the light in ways that make them appear to shimmer as if under the influence of a gentle enchantment. When it raises its arms for its Bristling Defense, the natural elements around it seem to respond, causing the grass and flora to sway dramatically, enhancing its aura of protection and strength.
Tactical Information
Combat Behavior and Tactical Information for the Prairie Sentinel
Combat Strategy:
The Prairie Sentinel isn’t a ferocious combatant but rather a tactical guardian, emphasizing defense and teamwork over raw offense. Here’s how they would behave in and out of combat scenarios:
-
Defensive Posturing:
- The Prairie Sentinel prioritizes protecting its territory and the natural balance of the prairie. It will analyze its surroundings and position itself to maximize cover and awareness. They often utilize the terrain to blend in, becoming difficult targets for foes to hit.
-
Team Coordination:
- When in groups, the Prairie Sentinels communicate through subtle shifts in their movements and body language, allowing them to coordinate their actions. They will create a protective front, placing themselves strategically to block entrances or paths to contested areas.
- They utilize flanking maneuvers, ensuring that their opponents are surrounded, effectively enhancing their chances to hit due to their collective morale boost.
-
Limited Offense:
- The Sentinels use their Windswept Strike in situations where they feel the balance of the area is threatened. They will aim for attackers who pose the most immediate danger to the environment—like those causing destruction or threatening local wildlife.
- If a combatant is weak and vulnerable, the Prairie Sentinel may opt to push them away rather than kill, demonstrating their desire to safeguard rather than eliminate.
-
Defensive Abilities:
- If damaged, the Prairie Sentinel will activate its Bristling Defense ability, raising its arms to emphasize its status as a protector and creating a barrier-like appearance. They may then retreat to gain the advantage of their mobility while still shielding their allies.
- They will utilize terrain to slow enemies, often pushing opponents into more exposed positions or leading them into areas of disadvantage, such as thorny bushes or rocky outcrops.
-
Escalation and Retreat:
- If combat turns too aggressive, and their territory is in jeopardy with high threats, they may use their knowledge of the environment to lead intruders away, using Windswept Strike to hinder escape efforts and create gaps for their allies to regroup.
- Conversely, if they realize they are outmatched, they will attempt to create diversions or use the high grass to mask a strategic withdrawal, opting to gather more Sentinels and defend another vulnerable area instead.
Narrative Interactions:
In narrative contexts, the Prairie Sentinel may exhibit various interactive behaviors:
-
Imposing Presence:
- The presence of a Prairie Sentinel commands respect. Its slow and deliberate movements create a sense of reverence in the air. Players approaching should feel an instinctual urge to tread lightly, aware of its vigilance.
-
Guardian Role:
- The Prairie Sentinel encourages players to engage in roleplay that values nature, urging them to consider their actions’ impact on the land. The Sentinel may respond to disrespect with warning gestures, choosing to ignore minor disturbances but reacting strongly to deliberate harm.
-
Non-Aggressive Confrontation:
- Instead of immediately resorting to combat, the Prairie Sentinel will engage with characters through displays of strength (e.g., massive stature, defensive posturing). If characters show intention or awareness to the balance of nature, they may even receive a guiding hint about local lore or hidden paths.
-
Offer of Knowledge:
- If players demonstrate respect or aid towards the natural world (e.g., healing injured wildlife or mending polluted habitats), the Sentinel may grant them insight into the prairie. This could include clues about local creatures, hidden safe spots, or warning them of impending threats.
-
Potential Allies:
- Characters that earn the Prairie Sentinel’s favor may find an unexpected ally. It could offer brief assistance in an encounter or provide a unique skill, such as a camouflage ability for stealth, granting players temporary advantages for specific tasks related to the prairie.
Overall, the Prairie Sentinel embodies the dual nature of protector and placid guardian, creating a rich tapestry of tactical engagement and narrative interaction that is tied firmly to its essence as the custodian of the grasslands.
