Old Gods of Appalachia
A kudzu man is an elephant-sized animate cluster of kudzu leaves and vines, animated by the power of the Green. It has limited intelligence, much like that of a smart dog, but it can sense if a creature has a respectful connection with the natural world or if it profanes the earth and plants. A kudzu man's purpose is to obscure and tear down infractions against nature, reclaiming structures and land that have been despoiled by human hands or foul creatures. When not active, it collapses into a mass of kudzu that covers about an acre, but when roused it forms into a vaguely humanlike shape that can tower over a house.
Belongs To: The Green
Motive: Protect nature and elemental life
Environment: Anywhere plants can grow
Health: 20
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (6 points)
Armor: 3
Movement: Short
Modifications: Speed defense as level 3 due to size; resists poison and fungus as level 4; attacks plants and structures as level 7
Combat: A kudzu man attacks twice per round with its gigantic fists. A creature struck must also succeed at a Might defense roll or become entangled and grappled by the vines. A grappled creature is hindered by two steps and automatically takes a moderate wound (6 points) every round on the kudzu man's turn; they can attempt to escape once each turn as their action.
As its action, a kudzu man can move a grappled creature from its arm into its chest, immediately crushing them for a major wound (12 points); on later rounds, the trapped creature takes a major wound (12 points) every round on the kudzu man's turn.
A kudzu man can hold only one creature in each fist and one in its chest.
Every few hours, a kudzu man can grow leaves and vines that cover a short distance in all directions, creating an area of difficult terrain. This foliage persists even if the kudzu man leaves the area.
Interaction: A kudzu man is focused and primal. It doesn't speak but seems to (at least sometimes) understand human speech, particularly if the speaker is wise in the ways of herbs or is a friend of the Green. Technically, it can't be negotiated with, but a person might be able to persuade it to leave the area or seek out a more appropriate target.
Use: Fleeing homesteaders talk of a "giant" that attacked their house, which is now being pulled down by a thick layer of kudzu. An ancient bear (or other significant animal) is slowly followed by a blanket of vines and leaves that creeps along its path.
Loot: To those who help it or who it can sense are friends of the Green, a kudzu man will offer a gift of its flowers, vines, and berries, which can be used to craft powerful cyphers. Anyone who attempts to take part of the kudzu man by force will find the items quickly lose their magic.
Connection: The kudzu man recognizes a PC who has an affinity for the Green and avoids attacking them or even pushes them out of harm's way.
GM Intrusion: Roots from the kudzu man spread underground and sprout up to a long distance away as a new, smaller
kudzu man (level 3), which grows to full size over several days.
The kudzu man's vines wrap around a character's throat, choking them and preventing them from speaking. The character must succeed on a Might defense roll every round or move one step down the damage track.