Buy me a coffeeNeglected Ancestral Spirit
A walking, shriveled corpse shambles forth. Its hands end in long yellow claws, while its mouth sports long yellow fangs. Its eyes resemble burning red coals.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
As long as one’s descendants make the proper sacrifices, ancestral spirits are at worst neutral, and often beneficent beings. But if an ancestral spirit is ignored, it eventually goes mad and begins preying on the living.
A neglected ancestral spirit stands 6 feet tall.
A neglected ancestral spirit speaks Common.
| Neglected Ancestral Spirit | |
| Medium undead | |
| Hit Dice | 8d12+32 (84 hp) |
| Initiative | +4 |
| Speed | 50 ft. (10 squares) |
| Armor Class | 22 (+4 Dexterity, +8 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 18 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +4/+8 |
| Attack | Claw +8 melee (1d8+4 plus 1d6 Constitution) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +8 melee (1d8+4 plus 1d6 Constitution) and bite +6 melee (1d12+2 plus energy drain) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Constitution damage, create spawn, energy drain |
| Special Qualities | Damage reduction 5/magic, Darkvision 60 ft., Spell Resistance 8, +2 turn resistance, undead traits, unholy toughness, wraithform |
| Saves | Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +8 |
| Abilities | Strength 19, Dexterity 19, Constitution -, Intelligence 13, Wisdom 14, Charisma 18 |
| Skills | Hide +15, Knowledge (history) +12, Listen +13, Move Silently +15, Spot +13 |
| Feats | Multiattack, Power Attack, Reckless Offensive |
| Environment | Any |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating | 5 |
| Treasure | Standard |
| Alignment | Usually chaotic evil |
| Advancement | 9-24 HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
COMBAT
A neglected ancestral spirit always targets its descendants first, if present. After that, it channels its wrath toward any living creature unfortunate enough to encounter it.
Constitution Damage (Su): Living creatures hit by a neglected ancestral spirit’s claw attack must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or take 1d6 points of Constitution damage. The save DC is Charisma-based. On each such successful attack, the neglected ancestral spirit gains 5 temporary hit points.
Create Spawn (Su): Any humanoid slain by a neglected ancestral spirit becomes a free-willed wight in 1d4 rounds. Spawn are not under the command of the neglected ancestral spirit that created them. They do not possess any of the abilities they had in life.
Energy Drain (Su): Living creatures hit by a neglected ancestral spirit’s bite attack gain one negative level. The DC is 18 for the Fortitude save to remove a negative level. The save DC is Charisma-based. For each such negative level bestowed, the neglected ancestral spirit gains 5 temporary hit points.
Unholy Toughness (Ex): A neglected ancestral spirit gains a bonus to its hit points equal to its Charisma modifier x his Hit Dice.
Wraithform (Su): A neglected ancestral spirit may become incorporeal at will as a swift action. Returning to corporeal form is also a swift action. It may not use its natural attacks or special attacks while incorporeal, and lacks any incorporeal attacks.
Originally appeared in Legends and Lore (1990).