Vampire cactus
| Vampire cactus | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Alignment: | Neutral |
| Type: | Plant |
| Subtype: | None |
| 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 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 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, irresistable to most passing birds. Vampire cacti are usually surrounded by the skeletons and dessicated corpses of their victims.
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 significant 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.
Vampire cacti are immune to lightning and electricity.
Bibliography
- Ward, James M. Greyhawk Adventures. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vampire Cactus | Monster | Reference | SEE Cactus, Vampire |