b'Griefgall \n'b'  Tiny   plant ,  neutral evil  \n'b'  Armor Class  14  Hit Points  40 (9d4+18)  Speed  5 ft., burrow 5 ft., climb 5 ft.\n'b' STATS STR: 4 (-3) DEX:  19 (+4)  CON:  14 (+2)  INT:  4 (-3)  WIS:  15 (+2)  CHA:  15 (+2)  \n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'  Skills   Perception  +6,  Stealth  +8  Damage Resistances  bludgeoning, piercing  Senses  passive  Perception  16  Languages  Deep Speech (through host)  Challenge  1/2 (100 XP) \n'b' SPECIAL TRAITS \n'b'\n'b'  Cold Lethargy . A griefgall that takes cold damage, until the end of its next turn, can\xe2\x80\x99t use  reactions , and on its turn, it can use either an action or a bonus action, not both, and it can\xe2\x80\x99t make more than one melee or  ranged attack . \n'b'  Germinate (1/Day) . A parasitizing griefgall can devour its host\xe2\x80\x99s emotions for 1 hour, dealing 5 (2d4) psychic damage. After this psychic feasting, it germinates an attached seedling that must be implanted into a new host within 1 week or perish. A griefgall can have no more than one seedling at a time. \n'b'  Hidden . A griefgall that is motionless is completely concealed by its host. \n'b'  Innate Spellcasting : The griefgall\xe2\x80\x99s innate spellcasting ability is  Charisma  (spell save DC 12). The griefgall can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:\n'b'\n'b'\n'b'  1/day each :  bane ,  calm emotions ,  fear ,  sanctuary  \n'b'\n'b' ACTIONS \n'b'\n'b'  Tendrils .  Melee Weapon Attack : +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target.  Hit : 1 piercing damage and the target must make a DC 12  Constitution  saving throw. On a failure, the creature is  paralyzed  for 1 minute. At the end of each of its turns, a creature can make a new saving throw; on a success, it is no longer  paralyzed . \n'b'  Parasitize . A griefgall can implant itself or a seedling inside an adjacent helpless or willing humanoid\xe2\x80\x99s throat. An implanted seedling becomes a fully grown griefgall in 1 minute, during which time the seedling can be removed by a creature other than the target with a successful DC 20  Wisdom  ( Medicine ) check. An implanted griefgall\xe2\x80\x99s filaments infiltrate the host\xe2\x80\x99s nervous system, controlling the host. This control is not prevented by protection from good and evil or similar effects, nor does the host receive saving throws to resist control. Each day, the griefgall deals 2 (1d4) psychic damage to its host by feeding on its emotions. The griefgall shares the same space as its host without detriment to either, uses its flowers to see and hear, and can  attack  independently of its host, including with its tendrils from within the host\xe2\x80\x99s mouth. Area spells affect both the griefgall and the host. An opponent can  attack  just the griefgall, with disadvantage on the  attack  roll. If a parasitizing griefgall is slain, its host falls  unconscious  for 1d4 hours, during which time the griefgall\xe2\x80\x99s filaments wither away, enabling it to be removed without harming the host. Removing it before this occurs requires 1d4 minutes and a successful DC 25  Wisdom  ( Medicine ) check or the host is permanently  paralyzed . The griefcall issue commands to the parasitized creature (no action required), which it does its best to obey. The griefgall can specify a simple and general course of action, such as \xe2\x80\x9c Attack  that creature,\xe2\x80\x9d \xe2\x80\x9cRun over there,\xe2\x80\x9d or \xe2\x80\x9cFetch that object.\xe2\x80\x9d If the creature completes the order and doesn\xe2\x80\x99t receive further direction, it defends and preserves itself to the best of its ability. The griefgall can use its action to take total and precise control of the target. Until the end of its next turn, the creature takes only the  actions  the griefgall chooses, and doesn\xe2\x80\x99t do anything that it doesn\xe2\x80\x99t allow it to do. During this time the griefgall can also cause the creature to use a  reaction , but this requires it to use its own  reaction  as well. \n'b'\n'b' ABOUT \n'b' Griefgalls are pitiless psychic parasites that feed on emotions. Their bodies appear as tiny, squirming plant pods that closely resemble grubs. \n'b' Long tendrils sprout from the pod, tipped with thorns that drip a paralytic sap. A griefgall and the other griefgalls that sprout from its seedlings often form twisted family units by congregating in abandoned houses in sprawling urban areas. An elder griefgall, identifiable because it sprouts more and more tendrils as it ages, takes on the role of a matriarch. \n'b'  Implant . Shorter, blossoming filaments allow the creatures to see and hear. A griefgall must be implanted into a humanoid, and it quickly grows to full size, but can\xe2\x80\x99t survive more than a week without a humanoid host. It attempts to conceal its body and tendrils within the host\xe2\x80\x99s mouth. \n'b' By extruding its filaments through the victim\xe2\x80\x99s neck and scalp, it externalizes its sensory organs, disguising them as a flowery headdress or garland entwined with the victim\xe2\x80\x99s hair.'