While lovely and perpetually in the full-bloom of youth, behind the alarune’s becoming features and beguiling smile lurks a sociopathic ‘heart’ that is in truth a pulsing, poisonous tuber. Blood doesn’t flow through the alarune’s veins, but a crimson sap three times as viscous. Their skin is as soft as a leaf, as it is made from the same material, and the pale hair atop their head is literally corn silk. The alarune wears whatever costume best fits its current angle; crafter, peasant, noble or whatever suits. However, they only ever wear done premium fabrics cut to accentuate their beauty and adorn themselves with bits of jewelry and other accessories taken as trophies from their victims. While legend holds all alarune are female those that appear male are not uncommon. In truth, these plants harbor no gender, only superficial features.

Sins of the Father. Sometimes an accidental creation of happenstance, sometimes the work of a mad druid or hag, alarune’s are produced by the mixing of a condemned criminal’s bodily fluids with a mandrake root. If the parent was sufficiently evil in life a fragment of the essence of evil passes into the plant. The root rapidly grows into the imitation of the parent’s race, and an incredibly attractive one at that. After pulling itself free from the earth the alarune begins a life of vice, greed, and violence but with a detached, pathological air. The plant doesn’t commit crime out of malice, but instead will take advantage of every situation to get what is best for it alone; all others be damned.

Final Agony. While the alarune is a creature without conscience and only pretends to have emotions when it suits them there is still a fragment of the mimic root that loathes its tortured existence. This well of sorrow grows throughout the alarune’s life, festering into a psychic resonance that can be lethal when released. This is especially true because the pent-up agony is only expressed when the alarune dies in an ear-splitting scream. Though, some see the wail as a final cruelty the unnatural thing inflicts on the world.

Alarune

Medium humanoid (plant), neutral evil

Armor Class 14 (leather armor)

Hit Points 67(9d12+9)

Speed 30ft

Str 15 Dex 14 Con 13 Int 14 Wis 11 Cha 18

Skills:Deception +6, Insight +2, Perception +6

Damage Immunities necrotic, poison

Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned

Senses passive Perception 10

Languages common, sylvan

Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Death Cry.

When the Alarune dies it cries out in soul-rending anguish. This cry has no effect on constructs and undead. All other creatures within 30 feet of her that can hear her must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature drops to 0 hit points. On a success, a creature takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage.

Innate Spellcasting.

The alarune is a 9th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It requires no material components to cast its spells

At will: Druidcraft, thornwhip

3/day: Charm Person, entangle

1/day: Crown of madness, spike growth

Actions

Poisoned Dagger

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage. The creature must make a DC 13 Constitution save or take 4d8 poison damage, or no damage on a successful save.

Optional Rule: Hag Bound. Created by a hag to be her eyes and years the alarune gains the following traits. While the alarune is on the same plane as the hag, the hag can communicate with it telepathically. Additionally, as an action, the hag can see through the alarune's eyes and hear what it hears until the start of her next turn. During this time, the hag is deaf and blind with regard to her own Senses.

In addition, when the hag Casts a sell with a range of touch, the alarune can deliver the spell as if it had cast the spell. The alarune must be on the same plane as the hag, and it must use its Reaction to deliver the spell when the hag casts it. If the spell requires an attack roll, use the hag's attack modifier for the roll. .