b'Iron Fern \n'b'  Medium   plant ,  unaligned  \n'b'  Armor Class  17 (natural armor), 11 without Metal Coating  Hit Points  19 (3d8 + 6)  Speed  5 ft., burrow 5 ft.\n'b' STATS STR: 14 (+2) DEX:  12 (+1)  CON:  15 (+2)  INT:  1 (-5)  WIS:  10 (+0)  CHA:  5 (-3)  \n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'  Damage Resistances  fire (see Metal Coating)  Condition Immunities   blinded ,  charmed ,  deafened ,  exhaustion ,  frightened ,  prone   Senses  blindsight 30 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive  Perception  10  Languages  \xe2\x80\x93  Challenge  1/2 (100 XP)  Proficiency Bonus  +2 \n'b' SPECIAL TRAITS \n'b'\n'b'  Metal Coating . Then iron fern\xe2\x80\x99s leaves and stalk are coated in metal, granting the iron fern AC 17 and  resistance  to fire damage. If an iron fern is reduced to 9  hit points  or fewer, the fern\xe2\x80\x99s metal coating flakes off; the fern\xe2\x80\x99s AC is reduced to 11 and it gains  vulnerability  to fire damage. \n'b'\n'b' ACTIONS \n'b'\n'b'  Iron Leaf .  Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack : +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/60 ft., one target.  Hit : 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage. \n'b'  Release Spores (Recharge 5-6) . The iron fern shakes its leaves mightily, releasing a cloud of iron spores in a 30-foot radius. The cloud spreads around corners and lasts for 1 minute or until dispersed by strong winds (such as from a  gust of wind  spell). A creature that begins its turn in the cloud or enters the cloud for the first time on its turn must make a DC 12  Constitution  saving throw, taking 7 (3d4) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature that fails the save by 5 or more is also  blinded  until the start of its next turn. \n'b'\n'b' ABOUT \n'b' Iron ferns are metallic fronded plants that grow in mine shafts, along cave walls, and atop rock formations. In its bud form, an iron fern secretes an acid that dissolves stone and earth, allowing the plant\xe2\x80\x99s roots to sup upon the exposed trace minerals and ores. As the bud sprouts its first fiddlehead, its leaves become coated in whatever metal it has absorbed, forming a kind of protective sheath around the soft plant matter. Because there are as many different types of iron fern as there are metals, the plant\xe2\x80\x99s name is something of a misnomer; the most common varieties of iron fern are, in fact, copper, tin, and nickel ferns. \n'b' Conversely, rare varieties such as gold and platinum ferns are highly prized among botanists and treasure hunters alike. \n'b' However, iron ferns are as hazardous as they are valuable. The plant\xe2\x80\x99s hormones are similar to a flytrap, allowing it to mindlessly swat at would-be predators with its razor-sharp leaves. Miners and spelunkers take great care in caves populated by iron ferns; serrated metal leaves can drop from tunnel ceilings onto unsuspecting workers or slash at their feet from within cracked rock faces. Some mining companies employ specially trained rust monsters to clear out iron ferns in advance, though the dangers of a well-fed  rust monster  are only slightly less daunting than those of an iron fern forest. \n'b' Like other ferns, iron ferns reproduce via spores. However, iron ferns\xe2\x80\x99 spores are no mundane plant matter. Rather, these spores manifest as clouds of metal shavings extremely dangerous to the eyes and lungs of any creature unlucky enough to wander by. Conveniently for the iron fern, the corpse of a spore-slain animal makes for an extremely fertile germination medium. \n'b' As mindless plants, iron ferns are incapable of ill will, though this doesn\xe2\x80\x99t stop many living creatures from openly despising these ferrous flora. For those willing to risk a few cuts, though, iron ferns promise many potential riches, from mundane animal hides to spilled gold and magic items. \n'b' Despite their dangerous leaves and spores, iron ferns are often regarded as a sign of good luck, particularly when sighted outside of a mine or cave. The presence of this plant, so the thinking goes, indicates that rich metal veins may be hidden just beneath the earth\xe2\x80\x99s surface.'