Gwisomok 귀소목

Huge plant (spirit), neutral evil

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)

Hit Points 231 (18d12 + 108)

Speed 0 ft. (see Rooted Colossus)

STR 23 (+6) · DEX 6 (−2) · CON 22 (+6) · INT 14 (+2) · WIS 18 (+4) · CHA 19 (+4)

Saving Throws Con +11, Wis +9, Cha +9

Skills Insight +9, Perception +9, Deception +9

Damage Vulnerabilities fire

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non-magical attacks

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone

Senses blindsight 60 ft. (creatures in contact with its roots), passive Perception 19

Languages understands Common, Sylvan, and the speech of spirits but can’t speak

Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)

Traits

Spirit-Laden. Gwisomok counts as both a plant and undead for the purpose of effects that target either type.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Gwisomok fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Noise Aversion. If at least three creatures within 60 ft. spend their actions beating drums, gongs, or chanting, or if Gwisomok takes thunder damage, it has disadvantage on attack rolls, and creatures have advantage on saving throws against its Whistling Madness until the end of Gwisomok’s next turn.

Actions

Multiattack. Gwisomok makes two Branch Slam attacks.

Branch Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage.

Whistling Madness (Recharge 5–6). Gwisomok emits an eerie, source-less whistle. Each creature of its choice within 60 ft. that can hear it must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 31 (7d8) psychic damage and is confused (as the confusion spell) until the end of its next turn. On a success, a creature takes half as much damage and isn’t confused. Creatures that can’t hear or that are benefiting from Noise Aversion have advantage on the save.

Detach Spirits (Recharge 4–6). Gwisomok tears free part of its ghostly host, creating 1d4 + 1 Wisp Spirits (use the will-o’-wisp stat block, but each has 5 temporary hit points and deals necrotic instead of lightning damage). They appear in unoccupied spaces within 30 ft. of Gwisomok and act on the same initiative count as the tree, obeying its telepathic commands.

Reactions

Root Snare. When a creature that Gwisomok can see moves while within 20 ft. of it, Gwisomok lashes out with a root. The creature must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the end of its current turn.

Lair Actions

When Gwisomok is encountered in its grove, it can take lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties):

An illusory chorus of whispers fills a 40-foot radius. Creatures that aren’t deafened must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on all saving throws until initiative count 20 of the next round.

Roots erupt in a 20-foot-square patch of ground Gwisomok can see within 60 ft. The area becomes difficult terrain, and any creature that starts its turn there must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the start of its next turn.

Gwisomok calls 2d4 detached spirits (as above) that appear around intruders and attack immediately.

Lore

A massive tree inhabited by spirits and ghosts that glow faintly at night. Anyone bold enough

Gwisomok (귀소목) is an enormous tree inhabited by glowing spirits and ghosts that drives mad anyone who dares to cut it down. In Korean folklore, the link between whistling and the supernatural is fundamental: people traditionally believe that whistling at night can summon snakes or evil spirits.

The tree itself looks as though it has stood for thousands of years, storing up mystical power. Its trunk may twist in uncanny ways, and its branches intertwine to form a single living mass, much like the ancient sacred trees that often grow in strange, majestic shapes.

From Korean Bestiary 5E, p. 54 · Fern Flower Press