Arboreal Shepherd
Level 5Attacks
Abilities
An arboreal shepherd takes 5 additional damage from axes.
Trigger An animal within the arboreal shepherd's reach takes area damage or splash damage from an effect
Effect The arboreal shepherd partly shields the creature. Reduce the damage dealt to the animal by an amount equal to + the animal's weakness to the effect, if any. The arboreal shepherd takes an equal amount of damage.
The arboreal shepherd encourages its friends to overcome titanic odds. For 1 round, allies with the animal trait in a 50-foot radius gain a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws. If the animals have the swarm trait, the saving throw DCs to resist their damaging actions gain a +1 status bonus. This bonus increases to +2 for allies whose level is 2 or lower.
Effect: Exalt the Little Ones
Frequency Once per hour
Effect The arboreal shepherd scoops up a willing Medium or smaller animal (or animal with the swarm trait) within its reach, sequestering the animal into a recess in the arboreal's trunk. While sequestered, the animal cannot act, gains greater cover, and gains fast healing 5. At the beginning of its turn after regaining Hit Points, the animal can choose to exit by reappearing in any space adjacent to the arboreal as a free action.
Shepherds develop an eccentric fascination with local fauna. These shepherds eagerly bear fruit to feed their friends, provide roosts for bats, and invite beasts to gnaw nesting niches directly into their trunks.
An arboreal's abilities gradually change as it grows, explores, and fulfills its forest's needs. After decades of life as an unremarkable tree, an arboreal sapling uproots itself to discover its greater purpose, often guided by elders.
Occult Nutrients
While drawing water, nutrients, and trace primal energy from the soil, an arboreal sometimes absorbs psychic impressions that shape its growth. Taking root in haunted landscapes or abandoned fairgrounds can result in truly sinister or frolicsome arboreals.