[C&C] Happy Halloween: New Creature

[serleran]

For your slaughtering pleasure, I present a new creature, inspired by slasher films the world over. Let me know what you think?

Undying

No. Encountered: 1
Size: Medium
HD: 10 (d12)
Move: 10 feet
AC: 10
Attack: Weapon (Weapon+10)
Special: Grievous Wound, Slaughter, Rejuvenate, Shrug Off, Fearsome Presence, Infallible Tracker, Distance Distortion, Cannot be Turned
Saves: M, P
Int: Low
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Type: Undead (Unique)
Treasure: --
XP Value: 5,125+25

The undying are a rare, and extremely dangerous form of humanoid undead, rising from the grave in search of victims. They are driven with the need to kill, self-motivated to bring death. Undying are particularly fond of forests, though there have been whispered rumors of urban undying. Regardless of where an undying dwells, it is only active once per year,a single night of dreadful terror, leaving behind a trail of blood and tears. None alive claim to know the secret rites and rituals to bring about the creation of an undying, though a dark cabal of female demonologists say the knowledge resides in a book of such evil as to be untouchable but by the greatest, and foolish, of mortals; the book, according to legend, is bound of human flesh and inked in blood, and holds the secrets to immortality, as well. Few creatures have encountered an undying and survived, and of those, the vast majority are female; there is speculation among certain groups of religious scholars and sages that an undying follows a code, though, its predilection for mass murder would seem to indicate otherwise.

Combat: Undying enter combat wholeheartedly and fearlessly, bringing pain, death, and mayhem with them, walking directly into melee, willfully outnumbered, simply to decimate as many victims as possible. They exist to kill. Tactics are never used, though the base instinct of a natural predator sometimes indicates superior intelligence. Once potential carnage is found, undying will not stop.

Grievous Wound: Anything killed by the attacks of an undying suffers a terrible wound which prevents the victim from being raised or resurrected without having an exorcism, regeneration, heal, and dispel evil spell applied first; these spells must be cast by a cleric of at least 15th level. The exact nature of the wound varies with the means used to inflict the injuries, but it is always bloody and macabre.

Slaughter: An undying possesses the Combat Dominance ability of the Fighter class, though it is applicable to any creature, regardless of Hit Dice type, that has fewer total Hit Dice than half that of the undying. Furthermore, when facing opponents which would ordinarily be subjected to the Combat Dominance ability, an undying gains the Fighter’s Extra Attack ability, which it can use in conjunction with Combat Dominance.

Rejuvenate: When reduced to zero or fewer Hit Points, an undying is not dead; instead, it is rendered immobile for 1-10 minutes. During this time, the wounds of the undying heal, though scars remain if applicable. To truly kill the undying, a special circumstance must be met, depending on the undying itself, and its history: at least one undying was permanently destroyed by the damage inflicted by a living sibling wielding a family heirloom, another was destroyed by complete immolation, and a third suffered defeat at the blade of its own weapon. Castle Keepers are encouraged to develop specific circumstances which will allow an undying to be permanently destroyed.

Shrug Off: Once each round, regardless of the source of damage (ranged attack, melee attack, or spell), an undying is allowed a Physical save with a modifier equal to the level or Hit Dice of the source of the attack. If this save is successful, no damage is sustained from the attack. The undying must be hit before this ability can be used, so that it cannot be wasted. This ability applies to any effect which deals damage, though, at the Castle Keeper’s discretion, it may also apply against any ability or effect which alters, changes, or otherwise requires a Physical save such as petrifaction.

Fearsome Presence: The sight of an undying is so unnerving that all sentient, living, creatures of three or fewer Hit Dice or levels are immediately fearful, as per the spell fear; no save is allowed for these creatures. Male creatures of four or more HD or levels are allowed a save to resist the effects of this ability; females are allowed a save, but must do so as though Wisdom were not Prime.

Infallible Tracker: An undying is a supernatural stalker, able to locate its prey regardless of where it may go. Once an undying has selected a victim, that victim can always be located, with distance and interfering barriers being a non-issue. This ability extends to other planes of existence, and allows the undying to use its distance distortion ability more effectively; it simply, effectively, allows the undying to never fail a Tracking check.

Distance Distortion: A creature within sight of an undying, regardless of actual distance, can be met and combated as though within charging range of the undying. Barriers such as walls, or concealment, such as dense foliage, are of no concern and do not hinder this ability. However, from the point of view of the victim, the undying appears to be the actual distance.

Cannot be Turned: The single-minded dedication of an undying prevents the holy powers of turning to be effective. Therefore, an undying cannot be turned, nor can it be commanded. Relics and other items of divine power, such as holy water, are also ineffective.

[The GM]

As usual, cool creature Serelran.

And we've all done something like this at one time or another.

Of course, this would offend those high class b-film producers:

Distance Distortion: A creature within sight of an undying, regardless of actual distance, can be met and combated as though within charging range of the undying. Barriers such as walls, or concealment, such as dense foliage, are of no concern and do not hinder this ability. However, from the point of view of the victim, the undying appears to be the actual distance.


{clip to producer... "It's cinematic, dahhling!"}

[Shadowslayer]

That guy's nasty!

Good job.

[Rhuvein]

For your slaughtering pleasure, I present a new creature, inspired by slasher films the world over. Let me know what you think?

Undying

Really excellent! Very tough and nasty. I like the fact that he can't be turned and holy water won't work against him. This will be a nice surprise for my PCs. Too bad my campaign world doesn't allow modern weapons like a chainsaw!

But, I think a large dagger or machete will be real nice!

[Fiffergrund]

I'll be using him tonight, Ser. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Nikosandros]

Nice creature... very, very nasty.

[The GM]

I'll be using him tonight, Ser. I'll let you know how it goes.

Almost makes me wish I was in your campaign... My C&C game is tomorrow night, and I think three of the seven characters will have enough XP for second level tomorrow, so I'm not in a position to whip this bad boy out on them if I want the campaign to continue

[Maliki]