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

Ⅰ

Umdhlebis are intelligent carnivorous plants that grow in jungles and resemble dead or dying trees.

Appearance

Umdhlebis grow to 20 feet tall, and resemble a hollow husk of a dead tree with new growth, vines, and tendrils in the center. An umdhlebi's trunk can range from 3 to 5 feet in diameter, and its tendrils can grow to be as thick as a human'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 and fused creature had an insatiable and gruesome hunger.

Habitat and society

Umdhlebis prefer to live near roads and waterways, where they can find more of their preferred humanoid prey. Their sensitive roots warn them of approaching creatures, and if they feel threatened, they can choose to stay out of sight or 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. Once one subdues a humanoid, the thousands of tiny mouths in its stems allow an umdhlebi to dismantle a human carcass in an hour.

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

Abilities

An umdhlebi's tendrils can constrict any creature that ventures within reach. When its preferred humanoid prey ventures within range, an umdhlebi produces a sound that compels victims to lie at the base of its trunk. The umdhlebi's roots make the terrain nearby difficult to move quickly through, which also hampers the victim's escape.