Leshy Mob
Level 11Abilities
Thresholds 130 (3 segments), 65 (2 segments)
When a leshy mob's Hit Points reach a threshold that would reduce its size, a burst of primal energy explodes from the fallen leshies and empowers the surviving fighters. The leshy mob gains temporary Hit Points that last for 10 minutes. In addition, all squares within 5 feet of the troop become filled with various plants, becoming difficult terrain. If the environment is not a viable environment for these plants, they wither after 24 hours.
The leshies can transform into an assortment of Small plants that fills a 15-foot area centered on any one square the leshy mob occupies, creating difficult terrain. When the leshies return to their natural form, they Form Up anywhere within the burst. This otherwise uses the effects of One with Plants.
The leshy mob ignores difficult terrain caused by plants and fungi, and it treats greater difficult terrain from such sources as difficult terrain.
The leshies grab and hurl an assortment of stones, spores, and explosive seeds, launching a ranged attack in the form of a volley. This volley is a 10-foot area within 60 feet that deals 4d8 untyped damage (DC 30 reflex save).
When the leshies are reduced to 8 or fewer squares, this area decreases to a 5-foot area.
Whenever the leshy mob Strides, they first Form Up as a free action to condense into a 20-foot-by-20-foot area (minus any missing squares), then moves up to their Speed. This works just like a Gargantuan creature moving; for instance, if any square of the troop enters difficult terrain, the extra movement cost applies to the whole troop.
1 to 3
Frequency once per round
Effect The leshies assault each enemy creature within 5 feet, with a DC 30 reflex save. The damage depends on the number of actions.
1 3d8 untyped damage
2 (3d8+11)[untyped|options:area-damage] damage
3 (3d8+16)[untyped|options:area-damage] damage
A single leshy is a nuisance. A horde of leshies is a natural disaster. When confronted by existential threats or malicious ecological devastation, charismatic leshy leaders can rally their kin into a mob. These bands often include several kinds of leshy, creating a ragtag host that can communicate with and draw power from nearly any plant in its path. The farther they travel, the greater the mob's sense of cohesion becomes, gradually awakening an empathic hive mind, coordinated shapeshifting, and communal spellcasting far beyond what any individual could accomplish.
Leshy mobs rarely outlast whatever rallied them in the first place. After pillaging a lumber camp or liberating a greenhouse's contents, the leshies gradually shake off their mob mentality—often with some shock or sheepishness at recognizing whatever crimes they just committed. Though the leshies scatter, they often retain a faint sense of camaraderie with their old comrades, making it easier for them to gather again to confront future threats.
For all their cute appearances and harmless pretenses, leshies can become a formidable force when riled. What's more, leshies can grow larger, stronger, and more aggressive in regions rich in primal energy. The following presents several higher-level leshy threats that grow in primordial forests.