Hunting Cactus

''A pale green cactus sporting spiny pods, this creature turns and angles its body to follow the movements of all who approach it. When in motion, it moves with a slow, deliberate shuffle.''

Tactics
The hunting cactus employs tactics common to many of Athas' predatory plants, but its use of psionics is virtually unique and gives the creature an unexpected edge. The cactus favors a paralyzing blast of spines from one of its pods, followed by a leisurely feed, but will not shirk from using its mental powers to strengthen its position if necessary.

Each hunting cactus has 1d20+10 spine pods, which it can fire at size Medium and larger creatures within 30 ft. Each pod carries 10 spines and each spine has a tiny poison sac at its base containing a paralyzing venom. The hunting cactus fires these spines at its target and, assuming the target is paralyzed, moves to within 5 feet and extends a feeding spine from its base. Using this spine, it strikes and grapples its paralyzed prey and drains blood until it is sated, the victim dies, or it is forced away from its meal. Each round, the hunting cactus may only fire spines from a single pod. It has several pods to ensure that it does not run out of ammunition. A hunting cactus regrows its spines at the rate of one pod per 1d4 days.

Description
The hunting cactus is a highly intelligent species of blood-drinking plant. Boasting a spread of useful psionic powers, the hunting cactus fires paralyzing spines at its prey and then drains the blood from its inert victims. Hunting cacti make their homes where they stand, but are known to prefer the company of other cacti (although whether this is for camouflage or mere social purposes is unknown).

The hunting cactus prefers a carnivorous diet but will consume the saps of other plants for nourishment if no other options are available. Hunting cacti reportedly consider this a form of cannibalism, however, and are loath to feed on other plants.

Weighing ten pounds and standing three feet high, hunting cacti begin life at a mere six inches in height. They grow at a rate of three inches per month but their maximum age is unknown as none has ever successfully been raised in captivity.

Society
The hunting cactus is not native to Athas and possesses an alien intelligence that does not recognize non-plant creatures as being capable of sentience. Thought to have been brought to Athas through psionic or magical experimentation thousands of years ago, the hunting cactus has carved a niche for itself in the Athasian ecology.

Given the cactus's attitudes, it seems likely that the species originates in a world dominated by intelligent plants where creatures of flesh and blood are seen as little besides food. Although communication with hunting cacti is possible, they invariably interpret all communication as having come from another plant as meat-creatures are not deemed capable of sentient thought beyond that required to eat, move and procreate.

Usually encountered alone, hunting cacti will pair off in order to breed. Each will detach a newly budded pod, placing them side-by-side on suitable ground. The twin pods extend tendrils towards each other, fusing and forming a single, larger pod, which rapidly takes root. Within the space of a day the new hunting cactus will have a trunk and new pods budding forth.