Sentinel Oak
Visitors to the Oakwood often describe a disturbing apprehension that arises soon after they enter the forest. Many report a sense that they are being watched by the forest itself. Most do not realize how accurate they are, for in many parts of this haunted region, the forest itself truly is watching them. It is impossible to get far in the Oakwood without coming under the scrutiny of the Sentinel Oaks.
The creatures cannot move, nor can they attack or defend themselves in any way, other than to send out a telepathic alarm to any or all that may be capable of receiving it. Chopping down a Sentinel Oak will kill it, as will a powerful lightning strike. Setting fire to one (as difficult to do as with any other living tree with sap running in it), will not kill it, but severe enough damage will cause it to go dormant for a period of time. The tree can be blinded by attacking its eye.
Laurels & Loot Statblock
These "Watchers of the Woods" would be indistinguishable from any of the gnarled oak trees that make up the bulk of this forest, except for their one grotesque feature. Sentinel Oaks each possess a single large, lidded eye usually located on their trunks, about 10ft (3m) above the ground. Wne closed, the bark-coated eyelid is indistinguishable from a large knot on the trunk, resembling the growth that covers the stump of a limb lost long ago. But when the eyelid creaks open, it reveals a huge, ponderous eye. The bark-colored iris, 1 ft (30cm) across surrounds a deep black pupil and is itself surrounded by a pale, greenish white sclera that is laced with green-brown "veins". This eye can - and does - move in its socket to track the movement of any creature passing beneath it.
Some sages speculate that these eerie trees are the result of lesser dryads becoming trapped within common oaks by the corruption that pervades everything in this forest. There is also a great deal of speculation as to whether the trees are sentient, and whether they possess telepathic capabilities to communicatee with each other - and possibly with some of the more dangerous, intelligent denizens of the haunted forest. Those gifted with the ability to commune magically with nature have reported that they can "speak" with these trees, though doing so is never a pleasant experience.
Name
Sentinel Oak
Alternate Name/Nickname
Watcher of the Wood
Type
Plant
Size
Huge
Speed
0 ft
Habitat
Uncommon: Oakwood Forest
Some sages speculate that these eerie trees are the result of lesser dryads becoming trapped within common oaks by the corruption that pervades everything in this forest. There is also a great deal of speculation as to whether the trees are sentient, and whether they possess telepathic capabilities to communicatee with each other - and possibly with some of the more dangerous, intelligent denizens of the haunted forest. Those gifted with the ability to commune magically with nature have reported that they can "speak" with these trees, though doing so is never a pleasant experience.
Gamemaster Notes
Sentinel Oaks are intelligent, sentient beings, and they can indeed communicate with each other telepathically. They are used as spies and sentinels by the handful of evil-oriented folk who have made homes in the Oakwood to practice and perfect dark magic, as well as by the Blackwater HagThe creatures cannot move, nor can they attack or defend themselves in any way, other than to send out a telepathic alarm to any or all that may be capable of receiving it. Chopping down a Sentinel Oak will kill it, as will a powerful lightning strike. Setting fire to one (as difficult to do as with any other living tree with sap running in it), will not kill it, but severe enough damage will cause it to go dormant for a period of time. The tree can be blinded by attacking its eye.
Laurels & Loot Statblock
The tree's eye can take 4 Injury Points; ; treat the closed lid as Medium Armor.
Attacks: None
Attacks: None
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