In our ongoing look at the Isle of Morphoi, we take a look at the Nethysule, which has been illustrated by Chris McFann. You can venture beyond the jump now to read the entire entry, and then head over to the Journeys to the West Kickstarter and join the crew if you want to see more about this area of the world! You can also take a look at the Part 1 and Part 2, plus maps.

Nethysule

This blue-purple-skinned humanoid wields a quarterstaff. It has vertically placed eyes and a ridged forehead.

Nethysule CR 1/2

XP 200
Nethysule druid 1
N Medium plant (aquatic)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +7

DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+1 Dex, +5 natural)
hp 9 (1d8+1)
Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +5
Defensive Abilities plant traits

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +0 (1d6) or quarterstaff +0 (1d6) or sling +1 (1d4)
Domain Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st; concentration +4)
6/day—wooden fist
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st, concentration +4)
Constant—speak with plants
3/day—sanctuary (DC 14)
Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +4)
1st—entangle^D (DC 14), obscuring mist, summon nature’s ally
0 (at will)—detect poison, flare, guidance
D domain spell; Domain Plant

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 13

Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 11
Feats Great Fortitude
Skills Craft (any) +6, Heal +7, Knowledge (geography) +6, Knowledge (nature) +8, Perception +7, Spellcraft +6, Survival +11, Stealth +3 (+11 in vegetation); Racial Modifiers +2 Stealth (+10 in vegetation), +2 Survival
Languages Aquan, Common, Druidic, Sylvan; speak with plants
SQ amphibious, nature bond (Earth domain), nature sense, wild empathy

ECOLOGY
Environment any, the Isle of Morphoi (homeland)
Organization solitary, pair, circle (2–15)
Treasure standard (quarterstaff and sling, other treasure)

Nethysule are androgynous, asexual, plant-based creatures indigenous to the Isle of Morphoi. Their appearance is similar to the natural form of their morphoi cousins, but their ridged heads and purple-tinged skin delineate the two from a distance. Unlike the morphoi, the nethysule cannot change shape and do not possess an additional set of eyes in the back of their heads.

The nethysule are generally peaceful creatures, preferring to avoid combat whenever possible and keeping mainly to their druidic circles. They tend to the area’s flora, creating beautiful garden patches throughout the Isle of Morphoi.

Believed to be creations of Nethus, many of the nethysules’s circles (the more chaotic neutral ones) once served the sea deity’s whims. All nethysule still revere the sea god and make weekly offerings of small crafted items to the sea. None have seen or heard the god for some time now, and they do not understand why Nethus abandoned them. Because the violent lamia kill them for sheer sport, the nethysule keep away from Temple of Mnemosyne, and so have not learned anything about Nethus’s disappearance from the priestesses there.

The nethysule gather nutrients from the sun or through an intake of organic carbon, so they do not need to eat (and do not necessarily need sunlight to survive). They live in small druidic communities on their home island called circles. Some communities might be underwater, since they are amphibious creatures. Approximately 1 in 15 nethysule are druidic leaders (with at least 7 druid levels).

Nethysule Characters

Nethysule are defined by class levels—they don’t possess racial Hit Dice. All nethysule have the following racial traits.

+2 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, –2 Strength: Nethysule are wise and intelligent creatures.

Senses: Low-light vision and darkvision 60 feet.

Plant Traits: The nethysule are a race of plant people. See the universal rules for plants.

Wild Children: The nethysule gain a +2 racial bonus to Stealth and Survival checks. Additionally, they receive a +8 bonus to blend in with vegetation.

Spell-Like Ability: A nethysule can use sanctuary three times per day as a spell-like ability. The caster level for this ability equals the nethysule’s class level.

Languages: Nethysule begin play speaking Common. Those with high Intelligence can choose any language as a bonus language. The nethysule can speak with plants.

Like this creature? Want to write a published adventure about it, or propose a better one? Join the crew of the Journeys to the West project!

(This post is Product Identity.)