Vrykolaka

the attack that dropped the creature was not a bite attack).Ifthe theriofiend has the Cleave feat,it may either use Cleave normally or use this ability when the situation allows (not both).

Special Qualities: A theriofiend retains the special qualities of the base creature and gains the following:Darkvision 60 feet, resistance to cold and fire 5,and damage reduction 5/magic.

Abilities: As the base creature’s,but Intelligence is 1d4+2.

Environment: As the fiend parent’s

Organization: Solitary or gang (3d6)

Challenge Rating: As the base creature’s +1

Treasure: None

Alignment: Always evil (usually neutral evil)

Advancement: By character class.Most theriofiends can’t manage a class requiring more training than barbarian.

Level Adjustment: —

Vrykolakas are created when a fiend possesses the corpse ofan evil person and animates it.The vrykolaka terrorizes its old associates, neighbors,and family,and occasionally hunts down its enemies and drinks their blood.The soul ofa creature killed by a vrykolaka is corrupted and dragged down into Hell.Often mistaken for strange vampires,vrykolakas are a different kind ofcreature that is not subject to a vampire’s vulnerabilities (garlic,running water, sunlight,and so on).

Angels are enemies ofvrykolakas for two reasons.First,each contains the soul ofa fiend,which most angels want to destroy anyway.Second,they find a vrykolaka’s ability to damn souls absolutely abhorrent,for even the most innocent creature is vulnerable to this ability.Every vrykolaka victim is a victory for Hell, especially ifshe was particularly pious person guaranteed a place in Heaven.

Angels hunt vrykolakas whenever they appear.Slaying these monsters means fewer souls are condemned to Hell,and so it creates less work later for the Hell harrowers,a cadre ofangels who venture into Hell to liberate good souls from the clutches ofdemons.

A vrykolaka looks like bloated version ofits living self,as ifthe skin has grown too thick to allow moisture to escape.Vrykolakas tend to grow hair on their faces like animals (causing some to believe they are werewolves) and have a hypnotic gaze.Their nails grow into claws and their teeth into fangs.They have a strange sort ofvitality,and some legends say that a male vrykolaka who can find his way into the bed ofhis widow can impregnate her,though such unions only result in stillborn monsters.

Vrykolakas speak any languages they knew in life,plus Abyssal or Infernal.

Sample Vrykolaka

This man looks like a bloated vampire, his flesh swollen and his face covered in hair like an animal. Though distorted by the swelling, his fingers bear wicked claws and appear capable ofwielding the rapier he carries.

This example uses a 2nd-level human aristocrat as the base creature.

Nikolos, Human Male Vrykolaka Ari2

Medium-Size Undead (Augmented Humanoid,Human)

Hit Dice: 2d12+3 (16 hp) Initiative: +2 (Dexterity) Speed: 30 feet AC: 21 (+3 masterwork studded leather,+2 Dexterity,+6 natural); touch 12,flat-footed 19 Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+2 Attack: Bite +2 melee (1d6+1) or masterwork rapier +3 melee (1d6+1/18–20) Full Attack: Bite +2 melee (1d6+1) and 2 claws –3 melee (1d4);or masterwork rapier +3 melee (1d6+1/18–20) Space/Reach: 5 feet/5 feet Special Attacks: Blood drain,create spawn,soul damnation Special Qualities: Daylight weakness,fast healing 1,fiendish possessor,resistance to cold and electricity 10,turn resistance +2 Saves: Fortitude +0,Reflex +2,Will +4 Abilities: Str 12,Dex 15,Con —,Int 12,Wis 12,Cha 12 Skills: Bluff+5,Hide +5,Intimidate +5,Knowledge (local) +5,

Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +5,Move Silently +5,Ride +5,

Spot +9 Feats: Combat Reflexes,Dodge,ToughnessB Gear: Masterwork rapier,masterwork studded leather Challenge Rating: 1 Alignment: Neutral evil Level Adjustment: —

Combat

A vrykolaka enjoys terrorizing the haunts ofthe body it has taken over.It tries transparent ploys that it is the dead person who somehow was buried alive and has now returned to get close enough to attack.When that fails,it simply begins ravaging.

See Special Attacks under “Creating Vrykolakas”for more combat details.

Creating Vrykolakas

“Vrykolaka” is an acquired template that you can add to any humanoid creature (referred to hereafter as the “base creature”). The creature’s type changes to “undead.” Do not recalculate base attack bonus,skill points,or saves.It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12.

Speed: Same as the base creature’s.

AC: The base creature’s natural armor improves by +6.

Attacks: A vrykolaka gains a bite attack and two claw attacks, ifit did not have them already,in addition to the base creature’s attacks.

Damage: Use the values below for the creature’s bite and claw attacks or the base creature’s damage,whichever is greater.

TABLE 10–4: VRYKOLAKA DAMAGE

Size Bite Claw Small 1d4 1d3 Medium 1d6 1d4 Large 1d8 1d6