Twigjack Bramble

The troop chooses one of the squares it currently occupies and redistributes its squares to any configuration in which all squares are contiguous and within 15 feet of the chosen square. The troop can't share its space with other creatures.

Thresholds 68 (3 segments), 34 (2 segments) Troops are composed of many individuals, represented by four "segments" on a battle grid. Each segment is 10 feet on each side and as tall as the individual members of the troop. Segments must remain contiguous. Each one has to share at least 5 feet of one of its edges with another segment—being adjacent on a diagonal isn't sufficient! You can measure flanking, cover, and the like using the center of any segment. A troop has two Hit Point thresholds in its HP entry and loses segments as it crosses thresholds. Typically, the higher threshold is at 2/3 of the troop's maximum Hit Points and the lower is at 1/3 of its maximum. Once the troop drops below the higher threshold, it loses one segment, leaving three segments (12 squares) remaining and setting the first threshold as the troop's new maximum Hit Points. This repeats when the troop drops below the lower threshold, leaving two segments (8 squares). At 0 Hit Points, the troop disperses entirely, with the few remaining members surrendering, Fleeing, or easily dispatched, as determined by the GM. Typically the creature who caused the troop to lose a segment decides which to remove, or the GM decides when a specific creature wasn't responsible. To restore lost segments and maximum Hit Points, a troop needs to spend downtime to use long-term treatment on casualties or recruit new members to replace the fallen. Troops are typically immune to non-damaging effects that target a single creature, such as a Charm spell or the Demoralize action. An ability that can target 5 or more creatures can target an entire segment, increasing to two segments if it can target 10 or more creatures and to the entire troop if it can target 20 or more creatures. An ability that affects all creatures in a certain range affects all segments in range (make any checks or saves separately for each segment). As examples, an 8th rank charm spell (with 10 targets) can affect two segments, and an ability that Demoralizes all creatures within 30 feet of you would affect all segments that are fully within that range. A non-damaging ability that would prevent a segment from acting, cause them to flee, or otherwise make them unable to function as part of the troop for a round or more removes the segment entirely. The troop loses a number of HP required to bring it to the next threshold. If an ability both deals damage and has a non-damaging effect, apply the damage then the rest of the effect.

The twigjack bramble swarms over any creatures in their path, shredding their foes with razor-sharp thorns. The bramble Forms Up and Strides twice, moving through the space of any Medium or smaller creatures. Each creature whose space the bramble moves through takes 4d6 slashing damage (DC 21 reflex save). On a critical failure, the creature is also knocked Prone.

The twigjack bramble uses Form Up to redistribute its squares into any configuration wherein all squares are in undergrowth, then instantly teleports to another square within 60 feet, using Form Up again on the target square. The configuration of the second Form Up must also place all of the bramble's squares in undergrowth. This movement doesn't trigger reactions.

The twigjack bramble launches a volley of splinters and brambles in a 10-foot burst within 30 feet that deals 4d6 piercing damage (DC 21 reflex save). When the bramble is reduced to 8 or fewer squares, this area decreases to a 5-foot burst.

Whenever the twigjack bramble Strides, it first Forms Up as a free action to condense into a 20-foot-by-20-foot area (minus any missing squares), then moves up to its Speed. This works just like a Gargantuan creature moving; for instance, if any square of the bramble enters difficult terrain, the extra movement cost applies to the whole group.