CR 5 – Plant – Dire Arboreal Sentinel

Tier 2 play

**Monster Name**: Dire Arboreal Sentinel

**Size, Type, Alignment**: Large Plant, Neutral

**Core Stats**: Armor Class (AC) 15, Hit Points (HP) 85, Speed 30 ft.

**Ability Scores**:

Strength 18 (+4),

Dexterity 12 (+1),

Constitution 16 (+3),

Intelligence 2 (-4),

Wisdom 14 (+2),

Charisma 3 (-4)

**Proficiencies**: Saving Throws: Constitution +6, Wisdom +5

Skills: Perception +5, Stealth +4

Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing

Damage Immunities: Poison, Psychic

Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened

**Senses**: Blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), Passive Perception 15

**Languages**: Understands Druidic but cannot speak

**Challenge Rating (CR)**: 5

**Special Abilities**:

– **Rooted Resilience**: The Dire Arboreal Sentinel gains 10 temporary hit points at the start of its turn while in contact with the ground.

– **Entangling Vines (Recharge 5-6)**: The Sentinel can use its action to create a 30-foot radius area of difficult terrain centered on itself. Creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or become restrained until the end of their next turn.

**Actions**:

– **Multiattack**: The Dire Arboreal Sentinel makes two Slam attacks.

– **Slam**: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 2d10 + 4 bludgeoning damage.

– **Thorn Barrage**: Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 3d8 piercing damage and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take an additional 1d8 poison damage.

**Description**: The Dire Arboreal Sentinel is a colossal, ancient tree-like creature, rooted deep in the forest's heart. It serves as a guardian of nature, awakening when the balance of the ecosystem is threatened. With its gnarled limbs and thorny projections, it attacks intruders with ferocity. The Sentinel employs its ability to manipulate the terrain, ensnaring foes with its vines and using its powerful slams to deter any who would disturb its domain. Though slow to anger, once provoked, it becomes a relentless force, embodying the wrath of the forest.