When a sap demon leaves a tree, its milky amber fluid oozes from an axe wound on a stout maple’s trunk and shapes itself into a small, vaguely humanoid form on the forest floor beside the tree. This languid creature half walks and half flows forward, implacably following the axe wielder’s path to certain revenge.
Tree Oozes. Sap demons aren’t true demons, but rather are intelligent oozes that form when an enchanted tree is cut or injured. Though typically Small, the larger the sap source is, the larger the resulting creature can be. Over a few hours, they pool into a shape that vaguely resembles their tree’s attacker: for instance, if the tree cutter wore a hat, then a hat may be incorporated into the sap demon’s overall shape. The similarity is faint at best; no one would ever confuse a sap demon for the creature it hunts, because its shape has no sharp features or color other than amber.
Called to Vengeance. Sap demons can pummel their prey with partially-crystallized fists, but they especially enjoy claiming the weapon that wounded their tree and wielding it to deliver a final blow. Once their prey is destroyed, most sap demons return to their tree, but not all do. Some are curious or malevolent enough to explore the world further.
Reckless Possessors. A sap demon can possess another creature by grappling it and oozing down its throat. Once inside, the sap demon dominates its host and makes it bleed as the tree bled. Since the sap demon takes no damage when its host is wounded, it’s free to be as reckless as it likes. It might wander into a town to cause trouble. However, no matter how its new body is bandaged or cured, it never stops bleeding slowly. If the host body is killed, the sap demon oozes out during the next hour and either returns to its tree or seeks another host.
Sap Demon
Small ooze, chaotic evilArmor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 67 (15d6 + 15)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 6 (-2) | 12 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 10 (+0) |
Damage Resistances piercing and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities bludgeoning; acid, lightning
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, prone
Senses blindsight 90 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 12
Languages none in its natural form; knows the same languages as a creature it dominates
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Amorphous. The sap demon can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
Season’s Change. If a sap demon (or its host) takes at least 10 fire damage, it also gains the effect of a haste spell until the end of its next turn. If it takes at least 10 cold damage, it gains the effect of a slow spell until the end of its next turn.
Actions
Multiattack. The sap demon makes two slam attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage. If both attacks hit a Medium or smaller target, the target is grappled (escape DC 12), and the sap demon uses Soul Sap on it as a bonus action.
Soul Sap. The sap demon slides down the throat of a sleeping, helpless, or grappled living creature of Medium size or smaller. Once inside, the sap demon takes control of its host, as per the dominate monster spell (Wisdom DC 12 negates). While dominated, the host gains blindsight 90 feet. The host drips blood from its ears, nose, eyes, or from a wound that resembles the injury done to the sap demon’s tree (1 damage/ hour). Damage inflicted on the host has no effect on the sap demon. If the host dies or is reduced to 0 hit points, the sap demon must leave the body within one hour.