<image = Assassin Vine>

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Temperate Wilderness Hills], [Temperate Wilderness Forest])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Tropical Wilderness Hills], [Tropical Wilderness Forest])
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 6(vine)/5(stalk)
MOVE: 1/2" <(vines)>
HIT DICE: 25 (see below) <(+ 20+ vines, each has 2-16 hp)>
<larger the plant, the hardier the vine : average d8 # from 25 = vhp : vhpx2 = hit point of each vine>
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 8 (or more)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Strangulation
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB] <(Cold, Fire, Electricity)>
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L <(plant stem = 100+ feet)>
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IX | 7600 + 35

SAVES, VINES: 14.15.16.17.17 <correct this>

The choke creeper,
or strangler vine,
seems to be a cousin to the hangman tree (q.v.).
The plant stem grows to near tree-trunk thickness,
may be over 100 feet long,
and may have a score or more <(20+)> of creeping,
strangling vines.
Vines creep 5 feet per round by use of flexible tendrils.
Each vine takes 2-16 points of damage to sever,
and the larger the plant,
the hardier the vine.

Small choke creepers have only 1 pip per hit die,
and the huge old ones have 8 per die (200 hit points).
Damage to attacking strangler vines does not affect the main plant.
Vines are attracted to light and movement.
As they appear to be normal vegetation,
they usually can grab unsuspecting victims.
<UA = no encounter menu, appears as wallset / floorset?, automatic combat (with normal chances for surprise) if square is entered?>
<space>

STRANGULATION
Once the victims are held,
they are squeezed for 1-4 points of damage per turn.
There is a 10% chance per turn of squeezing that a vine will use a strangling grip.
The victim dies at the end of the succeeding round. <use DSG hold breath rules, instead?> <garrot>

There are typically 8 strangler vines along each 10-foot section of the choke creeper plant and double that number at its end portion.
 

<theory>

4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	8 sv
cc	cc	cc	cc	cc	cc	cc	cc	cc	cc
4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	4 sv	8 sv

<theory : basically, map this creature out in 10' squares>

These mobile viness usually fan out to cover a 360 degree <degree symbol> AREA.
Each vine branch is 9-16 feet long.

SPECIAL DEFENSES
A choke creeper is not affected by small,
torch-sized fires,
but a hot fire,
such as of burning oil,
will cause normal damage and mobile vines will move away.

Cold will cause 1 point of damage per damage die and immobilize the plant sections struck for 2-5 rounds.
Electrical attacks double the movement rate of vines for 2-5 rounds and do no damage to the plant.

<headings added>

<note: this monster might originate from The King of Elfland's Daughter, by Lord Dunsany>