Gargantua Gulthias Tree Blight / Wintersplinter / Model Stand (DND / TTRPG)

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This is a tabletop prop piece for a unique encounter in a ttrpg or could be used as a standalone mini-game OR a really quirky looking model stand.

Preamble

This project took many many many hours and while it has been "done" for a while I didn't want to post until I had finished painting and decorating these things. Where to even start? Usually I finish a monster print, paint, decor job and I'm completely burnt out, I say "I will never do this again" but I'm kind of excited an energized about this one. It all started when I was trying to make trees, like normal actual trees as props / scatter for dnd - I was sculpting them in blender and dyntopo (adding more geometry as I went) and it just got out control. The tree turned into a hideous blob and instead of closing the file and deleting everything like a sane person I just kept going - this monstrosity grew organically over the course of an evening. From there I spent a lot of time adjusting the branches so that they'd be big enough for baseplates and positioned so that standard ~28-32mm figures could stand on any of them without getting clipped by sides of the tree. There are also a number of hidey holes across this thing and veins everywhere.

About the print

The small version stands about 160mm tall and the 2x large version is about 330mm tall. At 32mm scale (or 0.2ft every 5mm) this would put it at 30ft tall for the small version or 60ft tall for the large version. The small version can fit one 32mm character per branch and the large version can fit a few medium or small characters and some spots can fit at 50mm large miniature.

I have the 3mf files for a standard size and a 2x sized version. I've printed both on my neptune 4 max with a standard 0.4mm so I had a lot of baseplate space. It took about 3-4 days or so with the big version but I took a few breaks in between - this used a full spool of filament (and maybe a bit more) so print cost is about $20. I believe that I've sliced into small enough parts so that it should work on most any printbed but the bottom pieces might need to be split further - I'm happy to help with this if you want.

I used standard PLA+ (elegoo but other stuff works the same I'm sure!!), 0.2mm layer height, standard tree s for these trees at a 30% angle, and 5% infill. Brim's might not be necessary but they add a bit more security in exchange for cleanup with a hobby knife later so I used them. The stl files should all be positioned correctly on the print bed and the 3mf files should have them set properly too but it'd be good to be mindful of the face that you're printing these on.

Assembly

The model is split into a bottom, middle and top section with branches labelled for each (B1, B2, M1, M2 etc..) but you may find that it's a bit of a puzzle. You could mark the parts with markers as you go or just jigsaw it like I did. Use ample amounts of super glue between the pieces - I did not add openlock or other guides on this (maybe maybe in a future version) but I'm not suuuper adept at things and managed to get the parts together mostly nicely... >_> - the big thing to watch for is ensuring that your branches are level so that models don't have extra motivation to yeet themselves off of the tree tower :D

Painting/Decorating

I did a black prime with spray paint on these followed by gold gesso prime then a grey vallejo primer applied with a makeup brush (not too much paint, kinda like dry brushing ala slap-chop approach) lightly across the model avoiding the crevices and areas that should stay dark, then I did the same with a white gesso primer but more dry and much lighter along edges I wanted to highlight. Then I took a hecka dark brown (idk if anyone wants to know exact paints but I can put them in if needed) and added medium to thin it out and covered the entire thing in that, then an off-white (titan white by golden I think) along the veins then on the leftover brown wash I added some green and more brown and more medium and slapped that on top of the white veins to soften them and make em look sickly. The hidey holes I painted with a purple wash and then added a silver dry brush up in there - due to how hard it is to get in there there is still some gold showing in there too and I think it looks sufficiently dark/magical etc... Last thing glued on a bunch of preserved moss really focusing on covering the seams but I added some bits and bops all over, it could always use more or less.

The Encounter

For this encounter you'll want a lazy susan to rotate the model around. I got a big one on amazon and it's handy for this and other spaces that a party might need to rotate around to get a better vantage point.

The general idea here is that this monstrous tree is on a warpath of destruction. It doesn't have a statblock and therefore cannot but killed through typical means - assume it regenerates or is otherwise impervious to damage. In its branches are druids and hidden blights that can be killed but many more could be hiding or otherwise dormant. At its core as a powerful macguffin perhaps a sacred relic or powerful magical artifact that is bringing it to life. The objective for the party is to extract the MacGuffin and get out before the tree, blights and druids dispatch them.

Some general rules for creatures in the tree, part of the tree:
* Movement: The tree consists of very difficult terrain, magically difficult, a creature can use their entire movement to climb/jump/scamper from one platform to an adjacent one. What constitutes and adjacent platform is up to you, you could be more flexible on the upper level as the platforms are more level allowing for freer movement. They can use their action to make a second move and if they can take a dash bonus action (cunning action or monk's step of the wind) they can use that to move again. Creatures with flying speed can attempt to fly but the tree can make an attack of opportunity against them to knock them prone (which could make them fall - you can decide if it's 10ft to the nearest platform or the full 30-60ft). Players can misty step and teleport but they generally have to see the location that they're going to so try to eyeball it where is reasonable. A character that has fallen prone must use all of their movement to get back upright (with the exception of classes that actively use this condition like way of the drunken master).
* Action "Search HideyHole": The tree has hidey holes on pretty well every platform - I have these painted purple and silver on my models but in general they are little crevices that a player can take the search action to inspect. This search action is the key to finding the MacGuffin. It starts at a DC30 to find and then decreases by 1 for each search (you can lower this if you'd like). Once the item is found then on a subsequent turn they can try to pull it loose. On a failed search that particular hole will not decrease the search DC, if you have a keen mind you can maybe memorize which have been searched and which haven't but essentially the idea is to avoid repeat searches of the same hole. As searches fail instead of having a "you find nothing but rotting plant matter" you could let them see a glimpse of the item only for it be "sucked" back into the body of the tree, the orifice puckering up as it is pulled in. The "puckered orifice" imagery could be used to explain why subsequent searches fail.
* Action "Get MacGuffin HideyHole": After it has been found a player can attempt to make a strength or dexterity check to pull it out of the tree. This is a DC20 check that is reduced by 1 for each attempt. Two players could try together, you can decide if this helps or hinders the process. If the check fails by more than 10 or has failed multiple times in a row then the MacGuffin will "move" to another hole and require that the search process is restarted.
* Combat: On the small model creatures can do melee attacks on others who are on adjacent platforms. You could add high ground rules here so the attacker has advantage, low ground has disadvantage etc.... You can retain this for the large model or do away with it (creatures that fill up a full platform could be a good case for keeping it), removing the adjacent platform melee would require a creature to move to the same platform and then attack.
* Ranged attacks: Line of sight is tricky here, you will have to make the call when someone has partial, 3/4 or total cover. Close quarters may impose disadvantage and you could look at high ground rules as well as it could be easier to aim down through a crack than up.
* AOE attacks: These work. Use them. That is all. In seriousness you can use rulers for the spread of the AOE attack or ability as usual but be mindful of line of sight of the epicentre and distinction between horizontal and vertical radius' - some effects might not make sense drifting down or up a level. Use your judgment, keep it fun and try to be consistent.

** Tree Actions **
The tree is slowly moving towards a destination of some kind and it intends to destroy that location. It moves super slow. You could add this for a sense of urgency, perhaps it only five minutes away (30 rounds) or open it up so that the party can leave and come back more prepared (a long rest and a quick shopping trip for explosives).

The tree acts on initiative count 10 and 0 (or just pick one if you want to make it easier). The tree's damage and to hit modifier can be adapted to your parties' levels but here is what I have for four level 5 players. On its action you roll a D12 and do one of the following:

1: The tree attacks all players with wicked branches, this has a +4 to hit with bludgeoning damage dealing 1d6 + 1 vine attack. The players must make a DC12 Wisdom save or have their maximum hp reduced by 1d4 via necrotic damage. For critical you can double the base 1d6+1 damage but the necrotic HP reduction remains the same. Max HP is restored after a long rest, remove curse or greater restoration.
2: The tree sheds foul smelling pollen, players must make a DC12 CON save or become poisoned for 1 minute. Once resisted they become immune to the effect for 24hrs.
3: The tree emits a vile shriek, players must make a DC12 CHA save or become afraid of the tree - while afraid they must try to get away from the tree using their movement and actions to do so. Each turn and each time they take damage they can retry the save. Once resisted they become immune to the effect for 24hrs.
4: The tree bleeds sap becoming slick. Players choice of making a DC15 acrobatic or athletic save to hold their ground or they fall prone.
5: 3 twig blights burst out from hiding taking their action immediately. Your choice as DM of the spawn location, the location should be directly on top of a player and attacking them.
6: 2 needle blights burst out from hiding taking their action immediately. Your choice as DM of the spawn location, the location should be line of sight from a player so that the needle blights can shoot their ranged attacks.
7: a vine blight bursts out from hiding taking their action immediately (you can swap this with a druid if you wish). Your choice as DM of the spawn location, the location should be central to several players to take advantage of the blights "entangle" spell - treat this added difficult terrain as imable until the spell ends.
8-12: Nothing happens - you could add some narrative effects on these rolls like more groans, creeks, shrieks or foul odours or shimmering lights appearing from one of the hidey holes

Tree Reaction
As mentioned above in the movement section: Creatures with flying speed can attempt to fly but the tree can make an attack of opportunity against them to knock them prone (which could make them fall - you can decide if it's 10ft to the nearest platform or the full 30-60ft). This would be a bludgeoning attack with +6 to hit and 1d6+1 damage (adjust as needed) and knock the player prone, the bulk of the damage will be done via fall damage instead of the hit itself. Use the "Show don't tell" method here with the tree smacking down a bird or over eager NPC as a the players approach.

** Setup **
* I recommend starting with 1-3 druids in the upper branches cheering on their tree monster in a long lost, forsaken druidic tongue "Who is such a big mean tree, you areee, ouh weee!". You can choose this narrative route if players that comprehend languages choose to try to listen in on their chants. You could sprinkle in some blights if you want as well. These might be good at the ground level.
* A helpful NPC could have primed the party in advance about the MacGuffin. Perhaps another to try flying up and getting smacked down. You could hint that the item is in the hands of one of the druids, as players climb the tree show glimmers in them holes and get them digging up around in there.
* Sometimes Blight Druids have Gulthias Staves which, when broken, kill all blights nearby. You could use this effect to help clear out an army of incoming blights or help clear the tree if the dice gods are unfavourable.

** Other Props / Minis **
* The best blights by far in my experience are from the incredibly talented https://www.printables.com/@Schlossbauer - I use these mostly
* For druids I really really like the ones by HugoLours: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6080269 - both of these folks are super talented and all their stuff is great
* I might make some blight models sometime and I'm sure MZ4250 will so there could be more options for more variety down the road

** Conclusion **
This does need a lot more play testing but the above rules (used loosely with what makes sense) seem to work. I'll update this and other posts as there are change logs etc... This was a LOT of writing and work. If you like and share this or follow me that helps.

I would really like to make another version of this with LEDs and adjusted layouts (esp for the small version). I didn't use open lock or other systems to help align parts together which would make assembly a bit easier too. If there is interest in a V2 like this other types of unique structures / encounters etc... or if you have on the above rules (or anything else) let me know, I would love to hear from you.

I'm on a quest to make 1000 free DND/TTRPG miniatures. See my other models here and my overall progress on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Adamnant - it's silly but follows and comments are very encouraging and helps me out. This only counts as 1 model but it was a lot of fun and included a lot of learning. Full disclosure a lot of my work involves the use of AI tools as leverage to help create and learn - I do my best to print everything that I create but for some people any use of AI is not allowed at all. This tree in particular didn't use AI at all so hopefully it gets a stamp of approval but you do you.

Thanks all for any readi