FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 2-8
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: Nil
HIT DICE: See below
% IN LAIR: 100%
TREASURE TYPE: J, K (10%)
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 grab
DAMAGE/ATTACK: See below
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Drowning; dissolving
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (5' - 8' tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
    Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VI/638

    The most passive of all known carnivorous
plants, the normally small-sized pitcher
plant has sometimes evolved into a much
larger and more aggressive creature, though
it is still not as dangerous as others of its
kind. The plant is shaped like a giant green
vase made up of roughened base leaves
tightly woven together with small vines.
There is an opening at the top of the vase,
and the plant is usually half to two-thirds
full of rainwater.

    A whiplike organ, about four inches
thick, extends from the lip of the vase's
mouth; this whip is 20 feet long and able to
attack and coil about a creature (rolling to
hit as a 6 HD monster), lift up to 80 lbs.,
and drop the prey into the vase. The victim
usually drowns in 3-6 rounds unless it can <(Cf. Holding One's Breath)
swim; even then, however, the plant releases
acids into the water which do 1-4
points of damage per round to the victim
until it is eventually killed and dissolved.
The acids are not strong enough to harm
metals except over very long periods of
time, so a victim's money, armor, and
weapons will often be found inside the vase.
The plant detects nearby prey through a
series of pressure-sensitive vines buried
within a 10' radius around it. Only those
creatures light enough to be lifted up will be
attacked.

    Rescuing victims trapped inside a pitcher
plant can be difficult. If 12 hp of damage
can be inflicted on the walls of the plant's
vase, the acidic water will leak out, but the
victim will still not be able to escape, since
sharp spines grow along the inside walls of
the plant and prevent all climbing attempts
(unless the victim is very determined, in
which case 6-24 points of damage will be
inflicted during the escape attempt, successful
or not). If 48 hp of damage are inflicted
on the walls of the plant, the vase will fall
apart, and victim may escape easily.
The plant has no hit dice as such, but will
die if 100 hp of damage or more is inflicted
on the vase.
 

    by Roger Moore