Slaver Moss
Small or Medium • Plant • Unaligned
Armor Class 5 (or the controlled creature's AC)
Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)
Speed 5 ft., climb 5 ft.
Initiative -5 (5)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (-2) | 1 (-5) | 12 (+1) | 1 (-5) | 8 (-1) | 1 (-5) |
Damage Vulnerabilties fire
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities blinded, deafened, frightened, poisoned, prone
Senses blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages –
CR 1/2 (XP 100 or 200 while controlling; PB +2)
False Appearance. If the moss is motionless and doesn’t control a body at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn't observed the moss move or act, that creature must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern that the moss is animate.
Parasitic. The moss shares a space with the creature it controls through thrallmire. The moss moves with the target whenever the target moves, requiring none of the moss's movement.
Pyrophoric. Whenever the moss is subjected to fire damage, Constitution Saving Throw: DC equals half the fire damage it took. Failure: The target becomes poisoned for 1 minute.
Spider Climb. The moss can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Thrallmire Disease. When a Beast or Humanoid ingests parts of the moss or a creature afflicted with thrallmire, Constitution Saving Throw: DC 11. Failure: The target contracts the thrallmire disease. While diseased, whenever the creature finishes a long rest, it repeats the save. Subsequent Failure: The target's maximum number of hit dice is reduced by 1. If this reduces the target's maximum number of hit dice to half or fewer, this effect stops, and a new slaver moss grows from the creature’s skin. At that point, the disease can only be cured after the moss is destroyed.
Unusual Nature. The moss doesn't require sleep.
ACTIONS
Vines. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 11, each creature in a 5-foot emanation originating from the moss. Failure: The target becomes grappled (escape DC 6).
Pain Stimulant. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 11, each creature grappled by the moss or the infected creature. Failure: 7 (2d6) psychic damage, and the target is incapacitated. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: This damage is non-lethal.
Infect. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 11, one creature at 0 hit points within 5 feet of the moss that it can see. Failure: The target contracts the thrallmire disease.
BONUS ACTIONS
Spur Into Action. The creature the moss controls through thrallmire takes 3 (1d6) psychic damage. That creature then takes its reaction to move up to half its speed and make one attack.
Slaver Moss
Small or Medium • Plant • Unaligned
Armor Class 5 (or the controlled creature's AC)
Hit Points 75 (10d6 + 40)
Speed 5 ft., climb 5 ft.
Initiative -5 (5)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (-2) | 1 (-5) | 18 (+4) | 1 (-5) | 8 (-1) | 1 (-5) |
Damage Vulnerabilties fire
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities blinded, deafened, frightened, poisoned, prone
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages –
CR 3 (XP 700 or 1,100 while controlling; PB +2)
False Appearance. If the moss is motionless and doesn’t control a body at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn't observed the moss move or act, that creature must succeed on a DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern that the moss is animate.
Parasitic. The moss shares a space with the creature it controls through thrallmire. The moss moves with the target whenever the target moves, requiring none of the moss's movement.
Pyrophoric. Whenever the moss is subjected to fire damage, Constitution Saving Throw: DC equals half the fire damage it took. Failure: The target becomes poisoned for 1 minute.
Spider Climb. The moss can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Thrallmire Disease. When a Beast or Humanoid ingests parts of the moss or a creature afflicted with thrallmire, Constitution Saving Throw: DC 14. Failure: The target contracts the thrallmire disease. While diseased, whenever the creature finishes a long rest, it repeats the save. Subsequent Failure: The target's maximum number of hit dice is reduced by 2. If this reduces the target's maximum number of hit dice to half or fewer, this effect stops, and a new slaver moss grows from the creature’s skin. At that point, the disease can only be cured after the moss is destroyed.
Unusual Nature. The moss doesn't require sleep.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The moss uses its Vines once and its Pain Stimulant once.
Vines. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 14, each creature in a 5-foot emanation originating from the moss. Failure: The target becomes grappled (escape DC 6).
Pain Stimulant. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 14, each creature grappled by the moss or the infected creature. Failure: 18 (4d8) psychic damage, and the target is incapacitated. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: This damage is non-lethal.
Infect. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 14, one creature at 0 hit points within 5 feet of the moss that it can see. Failure: The target contracts the thrallmire disease.
BONUS ACTIONS
Spur Into Action. The creature the moss controls through thrallmire takes 3 (1d6) psychic damage. That creature then takes its reaction to move up to half its speed and make one attack.
QUICK REFERENCE
USING MONSTER VARIANTS
Monster variants allow the GM to adjust encounters to better match the party’s strength, narrative needs, or world-building logic. A weaker variant may represent a juvenile, wounded, or lesser specimen, while a stronger variant can serve as a leader, champion, ancient creature, or apex predator.
Variants can be used to fine-tune difficulty without changing the core identity of the monster, making them ideal for scaling encounters, reinforcing hierarchy within a faction, or creating memorable boss-style enemies. You can even use the same stat block but different variants in the same encounter if you want.
Design Note. Each monster is primarily balanced around its normal version. Weaker and stronger variants are derived adjustments and may not always preserve every tactical nuance or “feel” of the original creature. GMs are encouraged to review variants carefully and adjust abilities or tactics as needed to best suit their table.