Carophalyus

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This creature's weathered, leathery plant-skin is covered in spikes, not unlike a cactus. It basks languidly in the sun's embrace, soaking up the rays, though the predator's eyes are unmistakable as they search the great desert for a juicy meal. There is a cunning intelligence behind those eyes, and it seems to always be plotting as it lays lazily on a rock face.
*N Large Plant
*Init +8; Senses low-light vision, tremorsense 20 ft. (while burrowed only)
===Defense===
*AC 20; Touch 13; Flat-footed 15; (-1 size, +4 Dex, +7 natural)
*HP 60 (7d10 + 15 Con)
*Defensive Abilities spiny skin, photosynthetic healing
*Fort +8; Reflex +9; Will +3
*Weaknesses cold vulnerability; Immune plant traits, cactus poison; Resist fire 10, light 10
===Offense===
*Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., burrow 5 ft.
*Melee bite +10 (2d6+6; 20/x2), 2 claws +6 (1d6+3; 20/x2)
*Special Attack spine volley (DC 19; 4d6 piercing plus cactus poison)
===Statistics===
*Str 22 (+6); Dex 18 (+4); Con 16 (+3); Int 4 (-3); Wis 12 (+1); Cha 8 (-1)
*Base Atk +5; CMB +11; CMD 24 (+4 vs trip)
*Feats Ability Focus (spine volley), Weapon Focus (claws), Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite)
*Skills 7 ranks; Perception +11 (5 ranks); Climb +10 (1 rank);  Stealth +10 (1 rank); Racial Bonuses +4 Stealth; +2 Climb; +2 Perception
*SQ freeze (cactus)
===Special Abilities===
A creature who attacks a carophalyus with any non-reach melee weapon takes 2d4 piercing damage from the carophalyus' spines, and is afflicted by cactus poison. In addition, creatures that a carophalyus strikes with any of its own natural attacks are also afflicted by cactus poison.
*Type poison (injury); Save Fortitude DC 17; Onset immediate; Frequency 1/round for 1d6 rounds; Effect 1d2 Con damage; Cure 1 save
Carophalyum may use their inherent plantlike nature to heal themselves with the sun's rays. A carophalyus may activate this ability as a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity; its AC increases by 2 as its spikes protrude outwards. If the carophalyus activates this ability in an area of bright light, it gains fast healing 5; if the carophalyus instead activates this ability in an area of normal light, it gains fast healing 3. This ability cannot be used in areas of dim light or less. When the carophalyus takes damage while using this ability, the ability is deactivated and the creature's AC returns to normal and it loses its fast healing. This ability also regrows 1 of the carophalyus' spines for each round it is active.
A carophalyus bears an amount of spines equal to (1/2 its CR [normally 3]). A carophalyus may expend one spine to launch a spine volley, which targets a 10 ft. radius within 60 ft. of the carophalyus. Creatures in this radius take 4d6 piercing damage and may make a DC 19 Reflex save to take half damage. Creatures that fail this save are also affected by cactus poison. Spines regenerate at a rate of 1 per hour. If a carophalyus launches all of its spines, it loses its Spiny Skin ability until it regains at least 1 spine. 
A solitary carophalyus usually hunts using ambush tactics by burrowing underground and using its freeze ability to disguise its upper body, which pokes out of the ground, as a normal cactus ridge. When a living creature gets close enough, the carophalyus strikes. 
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==Additional Information==
===Ecology===
*Environment primarily Ossiria
*Organization solitary, hunting pack (3-6), grove (6-15, half of which are juveniles and one of which is a Carophalyus Matriarch [CR 9]).
*Treasure incidental, plus 1d4 Carophalyus Spines per creature
Carophalyum, or as they're often referred to by Ossirian natives, "cactus lizards", are plant-like predator creatures that roam the deserts of Ossiria. They are apex predators in the wastes and deserts of the northern reaches of the continent, shying away only from creatures much larger than themselves and the depths of the Dunes. Academically, carophalyum (which is the name given to the species by the Navian Academy of Invention's biological oddities section) are mysterious; of course carnivorous plants are present on the Prime, but few of such motility and intelligence exist, and their photovoric supplementation of their diet is also curious. Theories propose that they are perhaps awakened creatures created by wizened desert druids or experiments by some mad arcano-botanist, but the creatures maintain the ability to reproduce naturally via a strange sporing method; at this time, the Ossirian carophalyus remains an academic mystery- and a predatory danger to unaware and underprepared Ossirian travelers!
Carophalyum typically live in small packs for protection in the harsh deserts, or larger groups known as groves in areas of increased prosperity. These creatures do naturally grow to sizes even larger than noted in this creature entry- the creature presented is an adult carophaylus, but elder carophaylum tend to become more cunning and even more deadly.
==Tactics==
A solitary carophalyus usually hunts using ambush tactics by burrowing underground and disguising it's upper body, which pokes out of the ground, as a normal cactus ridge. When a living creature gets close enough, the carophalyus strikes. 
In a hunting pack or grove, carophalyum are intelligent enough to use their natural range advantage as a way to begin a battle in their favor and will often ring in targets and surround them, forcing them to strike at the carophaylum and injure themselves on their spikes. While carophalyum do not understand spellcasting, they will prioritize enemies that wield ranged weapons and ray spells, as such creatures will not be harmed by their natural spikes and often outrange them.
==Animal Companion==
A carophalyus may be selected as an animal companion by an 8th level Druid with the Monstrous Companion feat. The carophalyus may retract it's back spikes as a free action to allow a rider unharmed, though it's good practice to wear leg coverings just in case!
Category:Creatures
Category:CR 5 Creatures
Category:Plant Creatures