Clubthorn

Clubthorn looks almost exactly like holly, with which it often grows; observers mistake it for its harmless relative 90% of the time. It is an evergreen that tops out at 20 feet, with bright red berries and glossy leaves as stiff as boiled leather, their toothed edges set with sharp spines. After its first year it gains 1 HD annually until it reaches its maximum.

Hidden just under the soil, a ring of tentacle-like roots spreads out as far as half the tree's height. When prey steps close they burst up and lash around its legs, pinning it in place, though a single hit against AC 6 cuts a root free. The branches then club the captive. Damage grows with age: a sapling strikes twice for 1-4 each, a young tree four times for 1-6, a mature tree six times for 1-8, and an old tree eight times for 1-10.

Its dense wood and bark halve damage from blunt weapons. Edged weapons fare little better: a sticky, birdlime-like gum in the inner bark traps any blade that cuts in, and it takes a bend bars/lift gates roll to wrench one loose. Vinegar dissolves the gum.

Clubthorn drinks blood and rotting flesh through its roots. After feeding it shuffles 20-50 feet from the kill so future prey is not warned off, and otherwise moves only to escape fire. Planting it as a defensive hedge works poorly, since the hedge wanders.