Mangrove Stalker

Mangrove Stalker
The Mangrove Stalker is a predatory and semi-sentient plant that roams the dark and damp root-labyrinth of The Shrouded Boughs. These creatures are composed of a mass of muscular, bark-covered vines that have grown into a humanoid or quadrupedal shape. They are perfectly adapted to their environment, their form and coloration allowing them to blend seamlessly with the surrounding roots and wood.
Mangrove Stalkers are highly intelligent hunters that use the magical mist of the forest to their advantage. They can remain completely invisible while standing still in the fog, waiting for unsuspecting prey to drift by. They are said to be a manifestation of the Mother-Tree's own self-defense mechanism, designed to protect the lower roots from parasites and intruders.
Secret Motivation: The stalkers are instinctively drawn to the rhythmic heartbeat of the Mother-Tree. They seek to "feed" on the aetheric energy that pulses through the roots, often causing localized "Mist-Breaches" where the protective fog becomes thin and unstable.
Adventure Hook: A pack of Mangrove Stalkers has been sighted near the Echoing Grotto, behaving with unusual coordination. Seer Morwen believes they are being controlled by a powerful outside entity and asks the party to capture one of the creatures alive so she can study its connection to the mist.