Sand Cactus
Sand Cactus CR 2
XP 600
N Large plant
Init -5; Senses low-light vision; Perception +1
Defense
AC 9, touch 4, flat-footed 9 (–1 size, –5 Dex, +5 natural)
hp 37 (5d8+15)
Fort +7, Ref —, Will +1
Immune plant traits
SQ Camouflage, regrowth
Offense
Speed 0 ft.
Melee 6 needles +4 melee (1d2+1 plus Grab and trip)
Special Attacks Blood drain, needles
Statistics
Str 12, Dex —, Con 16, Int —, Wis 10, Cha 8
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 15 (can’t be tripped)
Ecology
Environment Deserts
Organization solitary
Treasure none
Special Abilities
Blood Drain (Ex): On a successful grapple check, a sand cactus drains blood, dealing its opponent 1d3 points of temporary Constitution damage.
Camouflage (Ex): Since a sand cactus appears is mostly buried under sand, it takes a DC 20 Spot check to notice it. A character trained in Knowledge (nature) or Survival can use that skill instead of Spot for this check.
Needles (Ex): A creature that escapes a grapple with a sand cactus, either by making a grapple or Escape Artist check or by killing the plant, must make a Reflex save (DC 13). On a successful save, the creature takes 1d6 points of damage. A failed save means the needle breaks off and remains embedded in the creature. Removing the needle deals the creature 1d6 points of damage, but leaving it in causes blood poisoning. The save DC is Strength-based. Sand cactus infection—injury, Fortitude DC 15, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d6 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Regrowth (Ex): A sand cactus dwells under 5-10 feet of sand, with only its needle patch exposed to combat. Unless the plant‘s body is also destroyed, a sand cactus regrows dead needles in 1d4 days.
Trip (Ex): A sand cactus that hits with a needle attack can attempt to trip the opponent (+5 check modifier) as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the sand cactus.
Description
You spot a small cluster of what look like spine-shaped plants growing from the sand. Sand cacti are a form of plant that feeds on the life blood of those that dwell near it. Sand cacti are well protected, for everything about the plant, except the needles, is hidden below the sand. The body can be from 5-8 feet across, 4 feet thick, and weigh up to 600 pounds. It has many barbed needles with long, thin strands connecting them to its bulbous body. The body and strands are a sickly white, while the needles are a sandy color, helping it stay camouflaged. Combat Sand cactus needles lie in wait for victims slightly above the surface of the sand. A traveler who doesn’t notice the needles usually steps on one, potentially becoming pulled down onto more needles.