Vine leshys are born when a druid channels a nature spirit into a plant’s form. The spirit that answers the call for a vine leshy creation ritual is always one that has keenly felt the influence of mortal beings. Compared to other leshys, vine leshys have an easier time relating to non-plant creatures and a deeper sense of curiosity about the wonders of the natural world beyond those plants closely related to them, as well as a fascination with the societies of other creatures.
Burbling Waterfall, Lovely Triple Leaves, Masterful Sun Drinker, Snowy Pine Branches, Verdant Taleweaver, Vibrant Tree Climber.
A vine leshy’s body is made of masses of twisted vines and leaves, sometimes incorporating flowers and fruits as well. Their appearance is mostly determined by the species of vine used in their creation, but most have a large cluster of leaves that forms a face with round eyes, a small mouth, and no visible nose.
Vine leshys do not have a traditional family structure. They form strong friendships with those who accompany them on explorations or who assist them in protecting a natural site. Vine leshys usually feel a strong desire to seek out the one who created them. They see their creators as friends and allies. Vine leshys’ names change throughout their lives. A young leshy names herself after her characteristics or a natural feature that she enjoys. As they age, they modify their names to reflect their personality and experiences. She may have several names that she cycles among, such as one name for each season. Most vine leshys select names that are at least two words long.
Vine leshys are likely to travel and explore, stopping to care for different wards throughout their lifetime. Vine leshys love storytelling, but place more importance on the meaning and message than the details, both because they can’t always remember the details and because they find many details to be unnecessary. A story that has passed through several vine leshys is likely to undergo significant changes in characters and setting but retains its core message.
Vine leshys are interested in learning about the cultures of other cultures. Their attitudes when they encounter new species are based on biases from the nature spirit’s past incarnations, but they evolve over time through the leshy’s experiences. In unfamiliar situations, they prefer to blend in with vegetation to observe before introducing themselves. Vine leshys recognize a spectrum of genders. Some vine leshys are exclusively female or male, while many vine leshys are both. The nature spirit that inhabits the leshy plays a strong role in determining the leshy’s identity.
Vine leshys have an unusual relationship with other leshys, for unlike standard leshys, vine leshys are not grown to be servants. They are free-willed and individualistic creatures. Whether or not an individual vine leshy views the servitude other leshys endure as akin to slavery or as something more like an honorable tradition of service to a powerful druid depends on the vine leshy’s opinion. While it’s unusual for a vine leshy to take on another leshy as a minion in the traditional way, it’s not unusual to see vine leshys take on sponsorship of a sort over other leshys, treating them almost as adopted children or wayward exiles in need of guidance and protection.
Religion is not particularly important to vine leshys. Those who do find faith tend toward worship of Gozreh, a green man, or one of the Eldest of the First World, but the Green Faith is the most common philosophy followed by vine leshys.
Vine leshys know if their bodies die, their spirits will return to the natural world and may someday find themselves in new bodies. This lack of fear combined with their curiosity leads them to take risks. However, they typically avoid excessively dangerous activities, as they would rather gather a story from their adventures to tell later.
Languages: Common and Sylvan.
Change Shape: Vine leshys can transform into vines or revert to their true form as a limited free action (Spirit roll). In vine form, the leshy appears as a healthy small vine.
Leshy Plant: A leshy's Type is Plant rather than Humanoid but they lack the normal immunities and resiliences that most Plant creatures have. Additionally, vine leshys can speak with vines.
Night Vision: Leshys ignore all penalties for Illumination.
Reduced Pace: Decrease the character’s Pace by 1 and reduce the running die by one die type.
Reduced Skills: Leshys are sometimes forgetful and oblivious. They do not start with a d4 in Common Knowledge or Notice.
Size -1: Leshys are small creatures; they reduce their Size and Toughness by 1.
Spirited: Vine leshys are insightful. They start with a d6 in Spirit instead of a d4. This increases maximum Spirit to d12+1.
Stealthy: Leshys start with a d6 in Stealth instead of a d4. This increases maximum Stealth to d12+1.
Tough: Vine leshys are surprisingly hardy. They start with a d6 in Vigor instead of a d4. This increases maximum Vigor to d12+1.
Verdant Burst: When slain, a vine leshys explodes in a burst of fertile energies (Large Blast Template). All Plant creatures in the template heal one Wound, and vines quickly infest the area. If the terrain can support vines, the area becomes Difficult Ground for 24 hours, after which the plant life diminishes to a normal level.
Grapevine: A vine leshy made from a grapevine can produce magically infused fruit that can heal her allies. Once per day, this leshy can attempt to cast healing (Spirit roll to activate). This replaces Stealthy.
Poisonous: Vine leshys made from poison ivy vines carry natural poison in their bodies. As a limited free action, the leshy can imbue its vines with this irritating substance. The next time the leshy hits a creature with an unarmed attack, the creature is affected by a Mild Poison. This replaces Stealthy.
Swamp Leshy: Some vine leshys are made from plants that naturally grow in swamps. These leshys gain Aquatic and replace their Night Vision with Darkvision. This alters Night Vision.