Bloodthorn
| Bloodthorn | |
|---|---|
| Error creating thumbnail: File missing A bloodthorn vine with a captured victim, from Fiend Folio (2003) Art by Kevin McCann. | |
| Names | |
| Other name(s): | Vampire thorn (vines) |
| General information | |
| Size: | Medium or Large |
| Alignment: | Neutral or unaligned |
| Type: | Plant |
| First appearance: | Expedition to the Barrier Peaks? |
Bloodthorn, also known as vampire thorn vines[1], vampire vines,[2] or vampire thorns,[3] are a species of predatory vine found in the woodlands throughout the Flanaess.[2][3][4]
Description
These tough, wiry plants[4] have smooth trunks that varied in brown to yellowish tones[2] and on average grow to heights of 10ft.[3] They have vines that are light green in color,[3] yet looked desiccated, and are covered in leaves[4] as well as sharp, hollow thorns.[2][3][4] Their leaves are pointed, have two-lobes,[2] and are pale in color. But once a bloodthorn fed, their leaves took on the same color as a victim's blood.[2]
On average their vines grow to lengths of 7 to 12ft long,[2] while their thorns are typically 3ft in length. Bright red berries also grow continually on these plants. They are juicy, yet bitter, and produced a fragrant odor that appealed to most creatures[4]
Abilities
These plants are capable of a limited degree of movement.[2][3] In addition, a few scholars believe extreme cold can immobilize these plants and that electricity can cause them to grow.[3]
Combat
Whenever a living creature comes close to them, a bloodthorn will lash out with as many of its tendrils as possible, grappling the creature and jab it with its thorns in an effort to extract blood.[2][4][3] However, they typically ignore scavengers and allow them to remove the carcasses of their victims.[4]
History
Ecology
After a good feeding of three or more human-sized victims, a bloodthorn will reproduce by shooting out seed thorns away from itself. Such thorns typically fly around 10-20ft away from their parent.[3]
Diet
Though they are frequently referred to as "carnivorous", these plants are technically sanguivorous, subsisting entirely on the blood of living creatures.[2][4]
Habitats
On the Material Plane, bloodthorns are most frequently found in woodlands in moderate climes.[5] especially amongst hornwood trees.[2]
It some places, they grow in thick, briar-like patches in wastelands. [4]
They are additionally native to the Outer Planes,[4] where bloodthorns grow in the barren wastelands of the Abyss, Carceri, Outlands, Pandemonium,[4] and Baator.[6] In the Abyss, they are particularly known to be found on Pazunia (the "Plain of Infinite Portals"),[7] and the "The Hidden Layer" 248th layer.[8]
Relationships
Dryads and vine horrors are known to sometimes cultivate this plant to use as a guardian. And stirges are known to lair near them in hopes of preying on their ensnared victims.[2]
On the plane of Baator, bloodthorns are often consumed by grazing herds of stench kine.[6]
Usages
Alchemists and wizards can often find uses for the hollow thorns of these plants.[3]
Trivia
Bloodthorns can be summoned by means of the spell summon nature's ally IV.[4]
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks (1980), p.11.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Monster Manual II (1983), p.18-19.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two. (1995), p.95.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Fiend Folio (2003), p.23-24.
- ↑ Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two. (1995), s.v. Plant, Dangerous.
- ↑ a b "Stench Cow Recipes". Polyhedron #133 (Dec 1998).
- ↑ Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (2006), p.117.
- ↑ Champions of Ruin, p.133-134.
Bibliography
- Cagle, Eric, Jesse Decker, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, et al. Fiend Folio. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003. Item code 88661.
- Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual II. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. Item code TSR2016.
- ———. S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980. Item code TSR9033.
- Laws, Robin D. and Robert J. Schwalb. Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2006. Item code 95387.
- Pickens, John, ed. Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two. Renton, WA: TSR, 1995. Item code TSR2158.
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Bloodthorn on the Forgotten Realms Wiki (view authors. |
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | Fiend Folio, D&D 3.0 | 23, 24 | |
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | Monstrous Compendium - 1995 Annual, Volume 2 | 95 | |
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | Monster Manual 2, AD&D 1e | 18, 19 | |
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | S1-4 Realms of Horror, Adventure Booklet | 48, 51 | |
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | S1-4 Realms of Horror, Illustration Booklet | #3-29 | |
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | Expedition to the Barrier Peaks: Original Adventures Reincarnated #03, D&D 5e | 33, 37, 73, 109, 113, 149, 205, 206, 216, 347 | |
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, Adventure Booklet | 11, 15 | |
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks, Illustration Booklet | #22 | |
| Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} | Monster | WG12 Vale of the Mage | 16 | |
| Vampire Thorn Vine {Bloodthorn} | Monster | Reference | SEE Bloodthorn {Vampire Thorn Vine} |