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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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PFS StandardArboreal Reaper

While some forests have an idyllic, peaceful quality to them, others feel distinctly unfriendly or even sinister—these forests are the favored haunts of arboreal reapers. Sometimes these woodlands are sought out by secretive practitioners of malicious arts who claim the unsettling ambiance aids their abilities; arboreal reapers see no reason to interfere with such practices as long as the balance of their forests isn't harmed.

All arboreals vary in appearance based on their surroundings, but arboreal reapers always seem vaguely eerie, whether they watch over a grim weald or a tropical rain forest. Often slightly warped, twisted, and covered in spiky protrusions, arboreal reapers sometimes sprout around old ruins or other permanent structures, breaking down and incorporating the structures as they mature and become more mobile.

Arboreal reapers focus on the essential decaying phase of a forest's life cycle, becoming especially active in autumn and winter seasons. Their influence can often be seen in the explosion of mushrooms on a rotting log or the enticing fronds of a flourishing carnivorous plant. Like arboreal wardens, these woodland guardians are quicker to react to perceived threats than the more deliberate regents or retiring archives—at least by arboreal standards.

Recall Knowledge - Plant (Nature): DC 23
Unspecific Lore: DC 21
Specific Lore: DC 18

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Weak are marked in red below.
NOTE: The -2 damage penalty to non-strike offensive abilities (-4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Weak Arboreal ReaperCreature 6

Legacy Content

N Large Plant 
Source Bestiary 3 pg. 20
Perception +15; low-light vision
Languages Arboreal, Common, Sylvan
Skills Athletics +15, Intimidation +15, Nature +13, Stealth +12 (+16 in forests)
Str +6, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +4
AC 23; Fort +15, Ref +11, Will +13
HP 110; Resistances bludgeoning 5, piercing 5; Weaknesses axe vulnerability, fire 10
Axe Vulnerability An arboreal reaper takes 5 additional damage from axes.
Speed 25 feet
Melee [one-action] branch +16 [+11/+6] (reach 10 feet), Damage 2d10-2+8 bludgeoningMelee [one-action] root +16 [+12/+8] (agile), Damage 2d6-2+8 bludgeoning plus KnockdownRanged [one-action] thorns +14 [+9/+4], Damage 2d8-2+5 piercing plus 1d4 persistent bleedPrimal Innate Spells DC 20 (-4 dmg); 3rd vampiric touch; Constant (4th) speak with plants
Leech Moisture [two-actions] Effect The arboreal reaper grows still and focuses intently on a single foe within 50 feet, draining moisture from the target's body. This deals 10d6 negative damage (DC 23 basic Fortitude save). The arboreal reaper can't Leech Moisture again for 1d4 rounds.

All Monsters in "Arboreal"

NameLevel
Arboreal Archive12
Arboreal Reaper7
Arboreal Regent8
Arboreal Warden4
Awakened Tree6
Canopy Elder19

Arboreal

Source Bestiary pg. 24
Arboreals are guardians of the forest and representatives of the trees. As longlived as the woods they watch over, arboreals consider themselves parents and shepherds of trees rather than their gardeners. Consequently, while arboreals tend to be slow and methodical, they are terrifyingly swift when forced to fight in defense of the woods. Though they rarely seek out the companionship of short-lived folk—even elves are fugacious in the eyes of arboreals—and have an inherent distrust of change, arboreals have been known to tolerate those who seek to learn from their long-winded, rambling monologues, especially if such pupils also express a desire to protect the timberlands. Against those who threaten their realm, such as loggers eager to harvest lumber or settlers aiming to establish croplands or a town, arboreals’ wrath is unwavering and devastating. Perhaps ironically, arboreals are gifted at tearing down what others build—a trait that serves vengeful members of their kind well.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Felled Arboreals

Arboreals have a great respect for dead members of their species. Their elaborate burial rituals involve laying the fallen arboreal down in a mossy bed in the center of a grove of saplings. The decomposing arboreal nourishes the saplings, ensuring the growth of a new generation of trees.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Fungus Network

Particularly old arboreal regents and other powerful arboreals can tap into the extensive network of fungus that connects the roots of all the trees in the forest. By doing so, the arboreal can learn of threats throughout the entire woodland, even from miles away.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Late Bloomers

Though they grow faster than trees, arboreals take decades to reach maturity. They spend their early years rooted in place, developing an affinity with the flora of their homeland and attuning to its rhythms while adult arboreals keep a watchful eye on their progress. After the first century, young arboreals become more mobile, often apprenticing with senior arboreals in their territory as they take up the mantle of forest guardian.