FREQUENCY: Very rare
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Cold Wilderness Forest], [Cold Wilderness Swamp], [Cold Wilderness Plains]) <deciduous!>
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Wilderness Forest], [Temperate Wilderness Swamp], [Temperate Wilderness Plains])
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 2
MOVE: 1/4"
HIT DICE: 12 to 19
% IN LAIR: 100%
TREASURE TYPE: [SB]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 7-12 (within 30' of trunk)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4 each
SPECIAL ATTACKS: [SB]
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB]
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Low to very
ALIGNMENT: Neutral (evil)
SIZE: L (6' to 9' diameter trunk)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VIII | 2400 + 20

SAVES, 12 HD: 7.9.8.8.10
SAVES, 13-14 HD: 5.6.7.5.8
SAVES, 15-16 HD: 4.5.6.4.7
SAVES, 17+: 3.4.5.4.6

The black willow is a mobile, sentient tree of evil disposition.
Although it inhabits areas where normal willows grow, it gets only a portion of its
nourishment from sun, air, water, and earth.
The monster is carnivorous, relishing elves, gnomes, and humans particularly. It is 90% unlikely
that a creature will recognize a black willow as such, for they can alter
their trunks and limbs to appear as normal trees of the various willow
sorts. Sometimes they will have smooth trunks and broad, inviting
limbs; other times they will show safe-looking trunk cavities at base or
high on the upper trunk. Of course, treants can spot black willow
instantly, but even druids cannot do so without magical aid (such as
locate plants, for example).

Treasure of any sort is sometimes found buried beneath this tree monster
along with bones and other immediately indigestible matter. Of
course, this assumes victims have treasure which weak acid could not
digest. It also assumes the black willow has stayed in a locale for a
period of weeks.

Normal attack is with lashing, whip-like branches, but there are 2
special attack forms, one of which is generally employed earlier. If a
creature has climbed out on a safe-looking limb, the black willow will
generate an aura of drowsiness within a 20-foot radius, making tired
creaturesfall into natural sleep. No saving throw is possible. A hole will
open underneath, and 1 or more victims will then be taken into the
hollow limb. The limbwill then tilt to slide them into the trunkcavity. The
trunk’s safe-looking openings are also used to close and trap the victim(
s) in the digestive cavity of the trunk. The stomach is coated with
sticky, nonflammable sap. Digestive sap then oozes up from the roots,
fillingthecavityatthe rate of 1 foot per 10 rounds untiI the entire 8-foot
cavity is filled. The juice is acidic and inflicts 1-4 points of damage per
round until death occurs. Digestion is indicated by -12 or more hit
points, and any resurrection is thereafter impossible. Creatures trapped
inside can employ only short, sharp weapons because of the confined
space. Maximum normal damage is 1 point per round; magical and
strength bonuses apply to weapon damage. Rescue, if any, must usually
come from outside. A black willow regenerates at the rate of 1 point per
turn.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BOZ
Hey Gary, if you're up to answering questions...

I remember ever since reading the Fellowship of the Rings, that the hobbits encountered a man-eating tree on the way to meet Tom Bombadil. i've long wondered if that served as inspiration for the Black Willow from MM2? 

Hi Boz,

Happy to answer questions once again.

The malign Old Man Willow got me interested in the folklore detailing such sentient and evil trees. So indeed, the inspiration was linked to JRRT's writing. English folklore is my main source, though, even if I can no longer remember in which books I found such information.

Cheers,
Gary