Leshen
Leshen
Large Fey
An imposing figure stands before you, its form eerily resembling a tree and crowned with a stark deer skull. Its eyes, empty sockets, burn with an unnatural, ethereal light.
Init +5; Senses Low-Light Vision, Perception +17
AC 24, touch 14, flat-footed 19 (+5 Dex, +10 natural, -1 size)
hp 130 (20d6+60)
Fort +9, Ref +17, Will +15
DR 10/cold iron; Immune to steel weapons; Resistance fire 10 (immune in smoke form)
Speed 30 ft.
Melee 2 slams +15 (2d6+6)
Ranged woodland strike +15 (2d8+5)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th; concentration +15)
At will—call animal, charm animal (DC 16), speak with animals, tree shape
3/day—barkskin, dominate animal (DC 18), tree stride
1/day—summon nature’s ally VI (only to summon animals)
Str 22, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 20
Base Atk +10; CMB +17; CMD 32
Feats Skill Focus (Stealth), Weapon Focus (slam), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Great Fortitude, Lightning Reflexes, Toughness
Skills Perception +17, Stealth +28, Knowledge (nature) +15, Intimidate +15, Survival +15
Languages Sylvan; speak with animals
SQ change shape (smoke form, tree form), natural healing, totemic bond
Environment any forests
Organization solitary
Treasure standard
Woodland Strike (Su): The Leshen can command the forest to attack its enemies. As a standard action, the Leshen can cause wooden roots and branches to sprout from the ground or any wooden surface within 100 feet, dealing 2d8+5 points of damage to any creature in the area (Reflex DC 21 half). This ability can be used at will, but no more than once every 1d4 rounds.
Natural Healing (Su): The leshen can heal other creatures by touching them and transferring its own life force. As a standard action, the Leshen can heal a touched creature for 2d8+10 hit points. It can use this ability a number of times per day equal to its Charisma modifier (5 times per day).
Totemic Bond (Su): The leshen chooses a person, familiar, or totem as its link. If this link is killed or banished, the Leshen is permanently defeated. This bond can be identified with a successful DC 25 Knowledge (nature) check.
Change Shape (Su): The Leshen can assume the form of a cloud of smoke or a tree as a standard action. In smoke form, it gains a fly speed of 60 feet with perfect maneuverability, becomes immune to fire, and can move through small holes and narrow openings, even mere cracks, with all it was wearing or holding in its hands. In tree form, it appears as an ordinary tree. The Leshen can remain in smoke or tree form as long as it wishes.
Leshens are enigmatic and ancient creatures, deeply tied to the primeval woods they inhabit. They are the embodiment of nature's wrath and protection, retaliating against those who threaten the balance of their territory. Their origins are a mystery, some believe them to be fey that have grown powerful and old, others think they might be nature spirits or demigods who have taken a physical form.
The Leshen's connection to nature is so profound that it influences the flora and fauna within its territory. Animals obey their commands, and trees bend to their will. It often uses crows as scouts and messengers, their cawing cries echoing the Leshen's own voice. They are capable of summoning woodland creatures to aid them when threatened, and the very forest itself seems to fight on the Leshen's behalf.
Leshens are solitary creatures, each staking out a vast territory as its own and defending it fiercely. They are intelligent and highly territorial, attacking any who invade their space with ill intent. The Leshen will not hesitate to use its powers to protect the forest and its inhabitants.
In terms of reproduction, it's believed that when a Leshen reaches the end of its long life span, it imbues a portion of its essence into a chosen tree. Over time, a new Leshen slowly forms and grows from this tree, inheriting the memories and territory of its predecessor.
Their ability to heal is as remarkable as their capacity for wrath. They can heal both animals and fey creatures, using their own life force to mend wounds and cure ailments. This has earned them a level of respect and reverence from forest inhabitants, with some even worshiping them as demigods.
The Leshen's form is a curious blend of animal, plant, and something more ethereal. They typically adopt the appearance of a humanoid figure made of intertwined branches, sporting a deer skull as a head. This, coupled with their ability to transform into a tree or a cloud of smoke, allows them to observe and guard their territory without being detected.
Despite their fearsome reputation, Leshens are not innately evil. They simply protect their domain with a fierce resolve, viewing any encroachment by civilization as a threat to be eliminated. To those who respect the forest and its laws, the Leshen can be a powerful ally and guide. However, those who would bring harm to the woods would do well to steer clear of a Leshen's territory, for they will find no mercy under the gaze of the deer skull.
Leshen are powerful Forest Spirits that dwell in dense, primeval woods. With a deer skull as a head and tree-like limbs and torso they are adept at going unseen through the forest they call home and often when they are seen they are mistaken as trees. They are fiercely territorial creatures and use their natural magic to control the plants and animals within their territory. Leshen can only be "permanently" defeated if the person, familiar, or totem it chooses as its link is banished or killed as well.
Immune to weapons of steel, it is believed that the Leshen is nature’s way of protecting the forest and the animals that live within it from the threat civilization poses. Their attacks are slow but deadly, and often summon forest animals to aid it. Often it is surrounded by crows who act as its eyes and ears for its territory. Along with the animals it commands, the Leshen is a force to be reckoned with. The Leshen can turn into a smoke form and move quickly and freely about the forests they call home. The only suspected weakness of the Leshen is fire to which they are immune when in smoke form.
They are sometimes worshiped as demigods by the people of the forest, this creature also possesses a powerful ability to heal other woodland animals and creatures. A few have even sought out the Leshen in search of a cure for an assortment of potent aliments.
Many who know the stories of the Leshen give their territory a wide berth.