Hellmaw Flytrap: Predator’s Bloom

The Hellmaw Flytrap has entered its matured predatory stage. Its maw, now rooted into the ground, develops jagged teeth and a hardened structure, enabling it to latch onto and sustain itself on larger, more formidable prey. Its proboscis secretes a stronger acidic sap, while the surrounding plant intensifies its alluring aroma, drawing creatures close for the maw to ensnare. The Predator’s Bloom is no longer a passive threat—it is a full-fledged predator.

Plant

3

14

6

16

1

8

2

13

45

0

Deep crimson with blackened streaks and sharp, pale green spikes running along the edges of its massive jaws. The inside of the maw glistens with acidic sap, reflecting faint light.

Medium

4-5 feet tall when fully extended, with jaws spanning 3-4 feet wide.

100-200

• Jagged, thorn-like teeth lining its massive, fleshy jaws.
• Glossy, saliva-like acidic threads dripping from its maw.
• A robust, gnarled root system that anchors it in place and provides structural stability.
• Large, leafy extensions surrounding the base, pulsating slightly as they lure prey closer.

Jagged, thorn-like teeth lining its massive, fleshy jaws.

• Glossy, saliva-like acidic threads dripping from its maw.

• A robust, gnarled root system that anchors it in place and provides structural stability.

• Large, leafy extensions surrounding the base, pulsating slightly as they lure prey closer.

Uses its massive jaws to clamp down on prey, dealing piercing and acid damage. If a creature escapes, the plant is capable of following up with its proboscis to drag prey closer.

Appears as a large, docile plant with leafy extensions and thorny protrusions, allowing it to ambush unsuspecting creatures.
• Tough Exterior: Its bark-like outer layer and thorn-lined structure provide natural durability, making it difficult to damage.

• Resistant to poison, psychic damage, and charm effects, due to its simple nervous structure and plant-like nature.
• Difficult to remove once latched due to its jagged teeth and acidic saliva.

Vulnerable to fire and slashing damage, as these can easily sever its roots and destroy its softer internal tissues.

Senses: Tremorsense 60 ft.; passive Perception 10.

Produces guttural creaking noises as its jaws move, accompanied by a faint hissing sound from its acidic saliva.

• Rooted Predator: The Hellmaw Flytrap is immobile, anchored securely to the ground. It cannot be moved unless it takes 20 points of slashing damage to its roots, detaching it and reducing its AC by 2.
• Leeching Maw: Grappled creatures take 1d8 piercing damage and 1d8 acid damage at the start of their turn, and the flytrap regains half the damage dealt as hit points.
• Reactive Proboscis: When a creature moves within 10 feet, the flytrap can use its reaction to make a grapple attack (reach 10 ft.). On a success, the target is restrained and dragged 5 feet closer.

Melee Attack: Crushing Jaws
• Attack Roll: +5 to hit
• Reach: 5 ft.
• Hit: 2d8+2 piercing damage.
• Grapple Attack: Proboscis Grab
• Attack Roll: +4 to hit
• Reach: 10 ft.
• Effect: On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or be grappled and restrained. While restrained, the target is pulled 5 feet closer at the start of its turn.

Any creature that comes within its range, including large beasts and humanoids. It uses its remaining leaves and fruit-like lures to attract prey closer.

Nycaloths, destroy Hellmaw Flytraps for their acidic sap.

it remains in this phase for 1-2 months, feeding and eliminating competition by consuming Detached Maws, before gathering enough energy for its final evolution.

Solitary; it leaves attached maws alone, allowing them to serve as lures for prey, but actively hunts and consumes Detached Maws to secure its dominance in the area.

The Hellmaw Flytrap does not reproduce in this phase. Instead, it focuses entirely on feeding and territorial dominance to gather enough energy for its final evolution.

It does not interact with or nurture any offspring, but it strategically leaves attached maws intact to act as lures for prey.

The Predator’s Bloom is the most dangerous stage of the Hellmaw Flytrap’s lifecycle before its final transformation. Its ability to dominate its territory, use lures strategically, and consume competitors makes it an apex predator among infernal flora. While stationary, its range of influence and predatory tactics make it a formidable challenge for adventurers.