Umdhlebi

Umdhlebi

(Creature)

Type

Plant

CR

12

Environment

Tropical forest and jungles

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Source: The Thousand Fangs Below, pg(s). 88-89

Appearance

Umdhlebis are huge plants, growing to 20 feet tall, and resemble a hollow husk of a dead tree with new growth, vines and tendrils, in the center. The trunks of the umdhlebis range from 3 to 5 feet in diameter and the tendrils may grow to be as thick as a man's arm with bright red leaves.

Origin

Legends indicate that an umdhlebi was created when an assassin vine invaded the corpse of a dead arboreal regent. The re-animated, fused, creature had an insatiable and gruesome hunger.

Habitat & Society

Umdhlebis prefer to live near roads and waterways where they may find more of their preferred humanoid prey. Their sensitive roots warn them of approaching creatures and, if they feel threatened, they may choose to stay out of sight or use their ability to compel creatures to form a living shield at the base of their trunk. Before moving to a new territory, they leave seed pods behind to take root and new umdhlebis reach maturity very quickly.

Ecology

Umdhlebis use their bright red seeds and leaves to attract animals and other creatures but, when more intelligent prey approaches, they vibrate the cilia-like hairs on their trunk in order to compel them to approach within range. Once a humanoid is subdued, the thousands of tiny mouths in its stems allow an umdhlebi to dismantle a human carcass in an hour.

Umdhlebis may allow some birds and animals to scatter its spiny red fruit or use its tendrils to cast them to new ground. The fruit produced twice a year by the umdhlebi, is said to be bland and full of triangular seeds but some groups create an alcohol with a dry-bitter flavour which they use in rituals and rites.

Abilities

The tendrils of the umdhlebis constrict any creature that ventures within reach. When its preferred prey, humanoids, venture within range, the umdhlebi produces a sound that compels victims to lie at the base of its trunk. The roots of the umdhlebi make the terrain nearby difficult to move quickly through, hampering the victim's escape.