Far Liath (Grey Man)

Originally Posted by Mistah J of the En World forums.

On this Thread

Squinting into the heavy fog, you try to discern the source of the scuttling. You call out to your comrades but the only reply is an unfamiliar cackle. Slowly, a shape emerges, seemingly made of fog itself. Its features blurred by the mists that seem to cling to its body, the figure appears to be a tall, wiry man with irregularly long, thin arms. Although the creature glides quietly toward you, you are certain that it has been the cause of the noises around you, and the silence of your friends.

The Far Liath, commonly referred to as a Grey Man, are a dangerous fey who delight in sowing terror and confusion amongst those who travel the high hills and mountains. Malicious and cruel, they delight in pranks such as frightening travellers, leading them astray by obscurring trail markers, or luring them off the beaten path and into dangerous areas with their illusions. Along the coast, a Grey Man often blankets the area with fog to waylay any ships, even going so far as to sabotage the local lighthouse to ensure disastrous results.

Far Liath
Large fey
Hit Dice	9d6+18 (49 hp)
Initiative	+9
Speed	30ft.
AC	17 (-1 Size, +5 Dexterity, +3 Natural Armour) Touch: 14 Flat-footed: 12
Base Attack/Grapple	+4/+9
Attack	Large Dagger +8 melee (1d6+1)
Full Attack	Large Dagger +8 melee (1d6+1)
Space/Reach	10ft/10ft
Special Attacks	Spell-Like Abilities
Special Qualities	Aura of Fog, Damage Reduction 10/cold iron, Fog Sight, gaseous form, Low-Light Vision, Wind Vulnerability
Saves	Fort +4, Ref +11, Will +7
Abilities	Strength 12, Dexterity 20, Constitution 12, Intelligence 17, Wisdom 12, Charisma 20
Skills	Bluff +17, Climb +13, Concentration +13, Hide +19*, Intimidate +19, Listen +13, Move Silently +19, Spot +13, Survival+17
Feats	Dodge, Improved Initiative, Stealthy, Weapon Finesse
Environment	Mountains
Organization	Solitary
Challenge Rating	5
Treasure	Standard
Alignment	Usually Neutral Evil
Advancement	10-12 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment	–

Combat

A Far Liath prefers to stay out of combat at all costs, instead using its spell-like abilities to terrify and confuse any would be attackers, all the while remaining unseen. Its favoured tactic is luring opponents blindly into dangerous terrain or off a cliff. If forced into combat, a Grey Man will fight with its Dagger, using the most out of its long reach and fog based abilities. Given the chance, the fey will gladly flee combat using its gaseous form (see below).

Aura of Fog (Su) A Far Liath is constantly wrapped in a slight haze of fog which grants him continuous concealment (attacks suffer a 20% miss chance). If exposed to winds of severe or greater strength, or if he suffers 14 or more points of fire damage in a single round, the Grey Man’s aura of fog dissipates and his concealment is lost. Unless such conditions are maintained, the aura of fog automatically returns at the beginning of Far Liath’s next round, requiring no action on his part.

Fog Sight (Ex) Far Liath suffers none of the penalties imposed by foggy conditions. He can see clearly through all forms of fog and mist and therefore targets do not gain any form of concealment against him. Other forms of concealment (such as darkness or invisibility work against the Grey Man normally however, he can pinpoint the location of any corporeal creature or object located within the same area of fog as himself.

Gaseous form (Su) As a standard action, Far Liath can assume gaseous form at will (caster lvl 7th) but he can remain gaseous indefinitely and has a Fly speed of 30ft with perfect maneuverability.

Spell-Like Abilities

• At will – Cause Fear (DC 16), Ghost Sound (DC 15), Widened Obscuring Mist, Silent Image (DC 16);
• 3/day – Fear (DC 19), Fog Cloud.

Caster Level 7th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Wind Vulnerability (Ex) For the purposes of all wind effects, the Grey Man is considered to be two size categories smaller.

Skills While in gaseous form, Far Liath gains a +11 circumstance bonus to Hide checks made within foggy areas.