Tanglebloom Ottervine
Medium Beast (Plant), Neutral
Armor Class: 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 85 (10d8 + 40)
Speed: 40 ft. (swim), 20 ft. (walk)
Challenge Rating: 6 (2,300 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 19 | 18 | 6 | 14 | 16 |
Saving Throws: Strength +5, Dexterity +7, Constitution +7, Wisdom +5, Charisma +6
Skills: Perception +5, Stealth +8, Deception +6
Damage Vulnerabilities: Fire
Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from non-magical attacks
Damage Immunities: Poison, Sleep
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15, Tremorsense (30 ft. in water)
Languages: Understands Sylvan and Common but cannot speak
Spellcasting
Spellcasting. The Tanglebloom Ottervine is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The Tanglebloom Ottervine has the following spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): Thorn Whip, Druidcraft, Guidance
1st level (3 slots): Entangle, Faerie Fire
2nd level (2 slots): Barkskin, Spike Growth
3rd level (1 slot): Plant Growth
**Special notes about the spellcaster’s spellcasting abilities or actions:**
The Tanglebloom Ottervine predominantly uses its spells to manipulate its environment and control the battlefield, often casting spells like *Entangle* and *Faerie Fire* to hinder and reveal intruders. Before combat, it may cast *Barkskin* on itself to bolster its defenses, ensuring it can endure longer in fights. The spell *Plant Growth* can be used strategically to create difficult terrain in areas it anticipates as battle zones, enhancing its home advantage in the wetlands.
Actions & Abilities
Multiattack: The Tanglebloom Ottervine makes three attacks: one with its Bite and two with its Entangling Vines.
Bite: *Melee Weapon Attack:* +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 2d10 + 4 piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 15). The creature is restrained until it escapes the grapple.
Entangling Vines: *Ranged Spell Attack:* +6 to hit, range 15 ft., one target. *On Reach:* The target must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target is restrained until it escapes using an action to sever the vines (AC 13). The Tanglebloom Ottervine can attempt to restrain one target with its vines per attack action.
Charming Siren (Recharge 5-6): The Tanglebloom Ottervine emits a mesmerizing sound, causing all creatures within a 30-foot radius to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature becomes charmed for 1 minute and has difficulty attacking or defending against the Tanglebloom. A charmed creature may repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Poisonous Nectar (Recharge 4-6): *Bite Attack Special Ability:* When the Tanglebloom Ottervine successfully bites a target, it can excrete a potent venom from its petals. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 3d8 poison damage and become poisoned for 1 minute. The poisoned target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Playful Distraction (Recharge 5-6): As a bonus action, the Tanglebloom Ottervine can perform an acrobatic display of playfulness, rolling and splashing in the water, charming creatures within a 30-foot radius. Charmed creatures must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become distracted, suffering disadvantage on attacks against the Tanglebloom Ottervine until the end of their next turn.
Vine Shield: When hit by a melee attack, the Tanglebloom Ottervine can use its reaction to unleash a burst of entangling vines, forcing the attacker to succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or take 2d6 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
Entangling Roots (Initiative Count 20): Roots and vines rise from the swamp floor in a 20-foot radius centered on a point the Tanglebloom chooses. Each creature of the Tanglebloom’s choice must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or become restrained until the end of their next turn.
Swampland Mist (Initiative Count 10): Heavy mist envelops the area, creating difficult terrain for all creatures except the Tanglebloom Ottervine. Creatures inside the mist have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Lethargy of the Wetlands (Initiative Count 15): The air thickens with moisture, causing fatigue. Each creature in the Tanglebloom Ottervine’s lair must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have their speed halved until the end of their next turn.
Appearance
Amid the lush embrace of wetlands, the Tanglebloom Ottervine emerges—a sinuous marvel stretching an impressive 5 feet long. With a sleek, streamlined body reminiscent of an agile river otter, it glides gracefully through water and weaves effortlessly among dense foliage. Its silhouette conveys both elegance and cunning, coiling like a whisper of the wild.
The creature’s skin glistens with iridescent emerald-green scales that dance in shades of rich foliage. These scales deepen to a forest hue along its back, transitioning to a softer, lighter tone on its underside, resulting in a mesmerizing camouflage that mirrors its vibrant habitat. The edges of its unique flower-like maw showcase hints of violet and gold, adding an enchanting allure that captivates any onlooker.
As you draw closer, the Tanglebloom Ottervine’s smooth, slightly moist texture reveals itself—akin to polished stone, each scale enhancing its ability to slip seamlessly through its aquatic domain. Framing its face are delicate tendrils resembling petals, soft and supple, enticing with their gentle sway and glimmering pollen-like luminescence, beckoning the unwary and adding a touch of ethereal beauty.
The creature’s large, expressive amber eyes radiate warmth and a hint of mischief, masking its razor-sharp intelligence. This whimsical expression juxtaposes the menacing rows of thorn-tipped petals that form its mouth, shaped like an open flower, ready to snap shut and ensnare unsuspecting prey. The bioluminescent glow emanating from the tendrils and petals of its maw pulses softly, especially vibrant against the backdrop of twilight—a dazzling beacon luring those who cannot resist its charm.
Four powerful, webbed limbs end in sharp claws, designed for both swift swimming and agile climbing, allowing the Tanglebloom Ottervine to navigate its marshy domain with unparalleled finesse. Its long, whip-like tail is adorned with vine-like frills, transforming its appearance into one of nature’s complexities while serving as both a weapon and a rudder when slicing through water.
In movement, the Tanglebloom Ottervine embodies fluidity and playfulness, its posture low as it swims, gliding with effortless grace. On land, it assumes a poised stance, employing swift, darting motions that can shift from playful to predatory in an instant. That juxtaposition encapsulates its very essence—a creature that dances between beauty and danger.
Intangible tendrils of magic ripple around it, whispering of its enchanted origin, while delicate leaf-like markings glow softly, hinting at innate powers waiting to be unleashed. Wisps of luminous pollen drift lazily from its enchanting form, creating an alluring yet perilous atmosphere within its vicinity.
In this striking representation, the Tanglebloom Ottervine stands poised against a solid white background, its vibrant colors and dynamic posture boldly showcased, embodying the mystique and enchantment of its wetland realm.
Tactical Information
Tactical Information for Tanglebloom Ottervine
Combat Behavior:
The Tanglebloom Ottervine’s combat tactics are closely tied to its ability to manipulate its environment and use deception to its advantage. Depending on the structure of the encounter, its behavior will adapt to ensure it remains a formidable opponent while embodying both the playful and sinister aspects of its character.
Tactical Strategy:
-
Initial Encounter:
- Ambush: The Tanglebloom Ottervine will use its surroundings to hide, often submerging in water or blending into dense foliage. As players approach, it will wait for the perfect moment to reveal itself, relying on its playful antics to entice players closer.
- Distraction: The Tanglebloom will start the encounter with harmless-sounding splashes or playful movements, assessing the party’s reactions and identifying potential threats.
-
Engagement Phase:
- Charming Siren: To establish control over the battle and reduce immediate threats, it will use its Charming Siren ability to focus on the strongest-looking party member. Targets who fail their saving throw may hesitate to attack, allowing the Tanglebloom to target less guarded party members with subsequent actions.
- Entangling Strands: After charming one or more targets, the Tanglebloom will utilize its Entangling Strands ability to restrict the movements of those who approach or try to break the charm’s influence. It will typically target the caster or melee to restrain them and neutralize their threat.
-
Attack and Mobility:
- Multiattack: It will take advantage of its Multiattack capability, biting for damage while simultaneously restraining another target. The bite deals damage and has the potential to apply its Poisonous Nectar effect, ensuring that any unknown outcome (such as a player entering the fight independently after charm wears off) has a significant consequence.
- Hit-and-Run: Once engaged, the Tanglebloom will rely on its high mobility, using water and vines for cover to retreat and hide—repeating this pattern to confuse and frustrate its enemies. It employs the environment to tactically position itself for sneak attacks or to reposition for Charm and Entanglement.
-
Team Dynamics:
- If confronted with multiple players, the Tanglebloom will attempt to lure individuals away from their group. Subtlety is key—luring with playful displays, then allowing the environment (such as nearby branches and murky water) to create opportunities for ambushes.
- When facing overwhelming odds, the Tanglebloom will strategically retreat to its lair (if present), creating hazards such as quicksand pitfalls, spike traps made from its own thorny petals, or leveraging magical barriers that reflect its inherent connection to the wetlands.
Narrative Interactions:
The Tanglebloom Ottervine’s interactions outside of combat should evoke themes of unpredictability and charm mingled with danger. Its behavior can range from regal and playful to aggressive and menacing.
-
Playful Engagement:
- The Tanglebloom can engage players in a whimsical manner, introducing itself as a guardian of the wetlands. It may demonstrate playful tricks—sliding along water surfaces, spinning in the mud, or animating nearby flora to enchant and gather attention.
- As it observes the party, it can speak in riddles or offer challenges—perhaps a game that involves retrieving an item from its realm or solving puzzles woven into plant life.
-
Defensive Posture:
- If scenarios escalate without mutual respect, the creature’s tone deepens, reflecting the transformation from playful spirit to defensive guardian. Players might notice a shift in the environment—sudden stillness and shadows creeping in as it embodies its predatory nature.
- The Ottervine will utilize the environment to challenge players in their ability to navigate its realm, almost turning the territory into a living maze that it knows intimately.
-
Bargaining / Diplomacy:
- Wise players might find opportunities to negotiate, either pledging respect for the wetlands or offering to aid it against a greater threat encroaching upon its land, such as poachers or invasive species.
- Depending on player choices, the Tanglebloom may reveal ancient secrets or provide guidance on how to navigate the wetlands safely, fostering future interactions.
Conclusion:
By striking a balance between charming playfulness and cunning danger, the Tanglebloom Ottervine captivates players both in combat and narrative encounters. This creature becomes a memorable part of the adventure, allowing players to immerse themselves in the enigmatic ecosystem of the wetlands, laden with threats hidden in beauty.
