Vampire cactus: Difference between revisions

From Greyhawk Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
Custom {{index}} to include cross-references; New Template format; new References format, placed {{index}} correctly; minor grammar throughout
adding {{quoted text}}. If we're gonna quote it, then **QUOTE IT**., adding citations
 
(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Creature
{{Creature
|name        =  
|name        =  
|image        =  
|image        = [[File:VampireCactus.png|250px]]
|caption      =  
|caption      = A [[vampire cactus]] in the desert, in full bloom, from ''[[Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix|MC5]]'' (1990)  Art by Tom Baxa.
|alt_spelling =  
|alt_spelling =  
|alignment    = Neutral
|alignment    = Neutral or unaligned
|type        = Plant
|type        = Plant
|subtype      = ''Greyhawk Adventures''
|subtype      = Carnivorous
|first        = ''[[Greyhawk Adventures]]'' (1988)
|first        = ''[[Greyhawk Adventures]]'' (1988)
}}
}}
Line 20: Line 20:


===Typical physical characteristics===
===Typical physical characteristics===
Vampire cacti resemble [[Wikipedia:Agave americana|century plants]], with 12 fleshy leaves each tipped with a sharp needle about an inch in length. From the central core rises a single spike about 5-6 feet in height. The leaves are about 5 feet long, but droop toward the ground so that the plant, not counting the spike, is only about 3 feet high. The leaves are dusty green with a narrow band of yellow along their edges. The needles are white at their tips; the central spike is a golden yellow hue. Once every [[Summer Solstice|midsummer]], a single blood-red flower blooms from the central spike. After this flower has been pollinated, a small, sweet-tasting blood-red fruit forms, irresistible to most passing birds. Vampire cacti are usually surrounded by the skeletons and desiccated corpses of their victims.
{{quoted text|Vampire cacti resemble [[Wikipedia:Agave americana|century plants]], with 12 fleshy leaves,
each tipped with a sharp needle about one inch long. Sprouting from the plant's central core is a single spike rising to a height of five to six feet. The leaves are about five feet long, but droop toward the ground so the main body of the plant stands about three feet high. The leaves are dusty green with a narrow band of yellow around their margins. The needles on their tips are white. The central spike is golden yellow. Once every [[Richfest|midsummer]] a single small flower blooms at the top of the central spike. This flower is blood-red in color. After this flower has been pollinated, a small blood-red fruit forms. The fruit is moist and sweet-tasting, almost irresistible to most birds. The plant itself is rooted to one spot, but it can move its leaves rapidly. Vampire cacti are usually surrounded by the skeletons and drained corpses of warm-blooded denizens of the desert (kangaroo rats, etc.).|{{csb|MC5||s.v. Plant, carnivorous}} }}


The plant is sessile but can move its leaves rapidly. Though unintelligent, they are sensitive to heat and motion and can attack by shooting their needles up to 3 yards away; these needles remain attached to the plant by a thick rubbery thread, through which the plant drinks whatever liquid exists in their targets. Generally, this is blood. The needles are viciously barbed, so they do considerable damage if they are pulled out. The plant can fire all twelve needles simultaneously, but no more than six can be fired in a single direction. If a needle fails to penetrate, it can be reeled in and prepared to fire again within 30 seconds.  
The plant is sessile but can move its leaves rapidly.{{csb|MC5||s.v. Plant, carnivorous}} Though unintelligent, they are sensitive to heat and motion and can attack by shooting their needles up to 3 yards away; these needles remain attached to the plant by a thick rubbery thread, through which the plant drinks whatever liquid exists in their targets. Generally, this is blood. The needles are viciously barbed, so they do considerable damage if they are pulled out.{{csb|MC5||s.v. Plant, carnivorous}} The plant can fire all twelve needles simultaneously, but no more than six can be fired in a single direction.{{csb|MC5||s.v. Plant, carnivorous}} If a needle fails to penetrate, it can be reeled in and prepared to fire again within 30 seconds.{{csb|MC5||s.v. Plant, carnivorous}}


Vampire cacti are immune to lightning and electricity.  
Vampire cacti are immune to lightning and electricity.{{csb|MC5||s.v. Plant, carnivorous}}


==References==
==References==
Line 31: Line 32:
===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
*[[James M. Ward|Ward, James M.]] ''[[Greyhawk Adventures]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.
*[[James M. Ward|Ward, James M.]] ''[[Greyhawk Adventures]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.
'''Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index'''<br />
{{index|title=Vampire%' AND Topic LIKE '%Cactus}}
The Index is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, and his work as continued and updated by a French fan group, Eric Johnson, Richard DiIola, Jason "PupickDad" Jaobson, and numerous other fans over the years. <br />
The wiki page for the [[Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index|EGI]] has a list of sources, full product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index. 
Please visit the [https://greyhawkonline.com/encyclopediagreyhawkania/database/ Edit Encyclopedia Index] page to contribute to the wiki database.
{{#get_db_data:
db=index-db
|from=index_data
|where=Topic LIKE '%Vampire%' AND Topic LIKE '%Cactus%'
|order by=Topic
|limit=500
|data=Description=Description,Product=Product,PageCardImage=PageCardImage,Topic=Topic,Type=Type
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 90%;"
! style="width: 30%"| Topic
! style="width: 10%"| Type
! style="width: 15%"| Description
! style="width: 25%"| Product
! style="width: 15%"| Page/Card/Image
{{#for_external_table:<nowiki/>
{{!}}-
{{!}} {{{Topic}}}
{{!}} {{{Type}}}
{{!}} {{{Description}}}
{{!}} {{{Product}}}
{{!}} {{{PageCardImage}}}
}}
|}
 


[[Category:Plants]]
[[Category:Plants]]
[[Category:Plant creatures]]

Latest revision as of 11:10, 1 December 2024

Greyhawk Creature
Vampire cactus
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
A vampire cactus in the desert, in full bloom, from MC5 (1990) Art by Tom Baxa.
General information
Alignment:Neutral or unaligned
Type:Plant
Subtype:Carnivorous
First appearance:Greyhawk Adventures (1988)

Vampire cacti are non-intelligent plants of the deep desert that supplement their water supply by draining liquids from animals who come too near.

Ecology

Vampire cacti evolved to survive in extremely dry conditions. The dusty-looking surface on their leaves helps slow down evaporation, the single blossom minimizes water loss, and their conductive root system helps ground lightning even though they are frequently the tallest objects around.

Nothing eats the vampire catctus, which is too tough and bitter. Birds do eat its fruit, however, and thereby spread its seeds. Anything warm-blooded is a potential victim of the plant.

Environment

Vampire cacti are primarily found in the Bright Desert. Migrating birds have carried their seeds as far as the Dry Steppes and the Sea of Dust, however.

Typical physical characteristics

"Vampire cacti resemble century plants, with 12 fleshy leaves, each tipped with a sharp needle about one inch long. Sprouting from the plant's central core is a single spike rising to a height of five to six feet. The leaves are about five feet long, but droop toward the ground so the main body of the plant stands about three feet high. The leaves are dusty green with a narrow band of yellow around their margins. The needles on their tips are white. The central spike is golden yellow. Once every midsummer a single small flower blooms at the top of the central spike. This flower is blood-red in color. After this flower has been pollinated, a small blood-red fruit forms. The fruit is moist and sweet-tasting, almost irresistible to most birds. The plant itself is rooted to one spot, but it can move its leaves rapidly. Vampire cacti are usually surrounded by the skeletons and drained corpses of warm-blooded denizens of the desert (kangaroo rats, etc.)."[1]

The plant is sessile but can move its leaves rapidly.[1] Though unintelligent, they are sensitive to heat and motion and can attack by shooting their needles up to 3 yards away; these needles remain attached to the plant by a thick rubbery thread, through which the plant drinks whatever liquid exists in their targets. Generally, this is blood. The needles are viciously barbed, so they do considerable damage if they are pulled out.[1] The plant can fire all twelve needles simultaneously, but no more than six can be fired in a single direction.[1] If a needle fails to penetrate, it can be reeled in and prepared to fire again within 30 seconds.[1]

Vampire cacti are immune to lightning and electricity.[1]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ a b c d e f MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix (1990), s.v. Plant, carnivorous.

Bibliography

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

Cactus, Vampire (Plant Carnivorous) Monster Native of: Material Plane, Greyhawk Adventures 21, 22
Cactus, Vampire (Plant Carnivorous) Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix Insert (Plant, Carnivorous), Encounter Tables
Carnivorous Plant, Cactus, Vampire Monster Reference SEE Cactus, Vampire (Plant Carnivorous)
Vampire Cactus Monster Reference SEE Cactus, Vampire
Retrieved from "https://gateway.greyhawk.city/greyhawkwiki/index.php?title=Vampire_cactus&oldid=86468"