From the Stars Without Number Compatible – Alien Database
Thorn. The Archer Bush can throw up to 1d4 thorns in a round of combat to a distance of up to 10 meters, which can extend to 20 meters with a -2 penalty on the hit roll and minimum damage. An archer bush has a reserve of 4d10 thorns at any given time and can regenerate one thorn in a standard day. The thorns can pierce any armor with armor class 14 or lower.
Rotting Poison. The poison causes living tissue to rot. The foul-smelling fluids that secrete from the wound attract swarms of insects and bugs in 2d10 minutes. The swarms attack the target and attempt to feed on the rotting tissues. The target cannot prevent the skin from rotting, but a successful Physical/Constitution saving throw can prevent the target from losing 1 point of dexterity also.
COMBAT & TACTICS
The archer bush is a passive predator that feeds on bugs and insect-like creatures. The technique it employs to lure food within reach is indeed an exotic and sophisticated one. The bush throws its poisonous thorns at any living being that comes within reach. Thanks to the humor produced by the rotting poison, a swarm of insects and bugs are attracted to the target. Once the target is dead or incapacitated, the bush
slowly moves toward the insect-crowded body and starts feeding on the bugs with the pseudopods hidden inside its many tubular trunks.
DESCRIPTION
Archer bush has the appearance of a tree with trunks similar to a coral structure, but despite its plantlike resemblance, it is not a plant at all. The main trunk is formed by a hardened resin compound, whilst the smaller trunks that protrude from the main one are soft and flexible. An archer bush varies in size from half a meter to two meters, with some species being able to grow to a height of three meters. Color may
range from pink, purple, orange, and blue, and it is common for some specimens to display more than one color at once.
HABITAT
Archer bushes evolve on lush planets in the middle stage of life evolution, with a preference for dense and high-pressure atmospheres. As a very versatile creature, it can prosper in any climate and environment of its home planet, except for very cold regions. Archer bushes tend to form clusters by covering wide
surfaces of terrain, sometimes ranging hundreds of meters. The population density is low, however, with each specimen maintaining a distance of at least fifty meters from one another.
BIOLOGY
The biology of archer bushes has remained a mystery for a long time. At first, xenobiologists assumed they were dealing with a primitive form of xenoplant until they discovered, and probably tasted, the hunting abilities of the creature. Only recently, the scientific community classified the archer bush as a cephalopoid
and studied its abilities. Archer bushes are very resistant to elevated temperature and pressure, which may explain the high density of the main trunk forming the lower part of the creature. The toxin injected by the thorns has not proven to possess any medical application, but it seems to be ineffective against silicon-based creatures. The toxin can be extracted and maintains its properties for up to one week if properly stocked in vials, for months if kept at freezing temperatures.