96
Legacy of the Dragons
Spirit of Sorrow Large Undead (Incorporeal) Hit Dice: 16d12 (104 hp), dying/dead —/0 Initiative: +1 Speed: Fly 60 feet (perfect) Armor Class: 23 (–1 size, +1 Dexterity, +12 deflection, +1 dodge), touch 23, flat-footed 21 Base Attack/Grapple: +8/— Attack: Touch +8 melee (1d8 plus paralysis and energy drain) Full Attack: Touch +8 melee (1d8 plus paralysis and energy drain) Space/Reach: 10 feet/10 feet (Face/Reach: 5 feet by 5 feet/10 feet) Special Attacks: Energy drain, moan of sorrow, greater animate the dead, paralysis Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 feet, incorporeal, SR 25, unnatural aura, sunlight powerlessness, undead traits Saves: Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +12 Abilities: Str —, Dex 13, Con —, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 34 Skills: Intimidate +28, Listen +21, Sneak +21, Spot +21 Feats: Defensive, Defensive Move, Defensive Stance, Lightning Reflexes, Night Owl, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (touch) Environment: Any Organization: Solitary Treasure: Standard Challenge Rating: 13 Advancement: 17–24 HD (Large), 25–32 HD (Huge) Level Adjustment: — Very rarely, when a giant dies an ignoble death, or when a giant does a disservice to that which it has sworn to serve as steward and dies before righting its wrong, its despair is so great that the afterlife rejects its spirit. That giant is cursed to roam the world of the living as a spirit of sorrow. The spirit of sorrow is so inwardly focused, so utterly selfabsorbed, that it no longer realizes its existence inflicts pain and suffering upon others. It sees only its own plight and feels only its own monumental sorrows and regrets. The spirit of sorrow created its lot in life—or rather, afterlife. It’s said that only a giant has the capacity for the strong emotion needed to accomplish such a feat, as ignominious as it might be. In any event, only giantish spirits of sorrow have been recorded. Unlike other types of incorporeal undead, spirits of sorrow do not create spawn. Only specific, heartbreaking circumstances can bring about the creation of a spirit of sorrow. These undead spirits haunt ruins and desolate areas, almost always in places once frequented by giants. Sometimes, a spirit of sorrow will move into a city or stronghold currently occupied by giants, driving them out or forcing them to take a cer-
tain action. Some types of undead creatures, particularly the more intelligent ones, see the value in having a spirit of sorrow nearby. Not only can it animate more undead, but its moan can affect large numbers of foes while leaving its fellow undead unaffected. These vile creatures will lure a spirit of sorrow into their lair or trick it into going where they wish it to go. This hulking spectre looks like nothing more than a floating hooded cloak of giantish proportions. It leaves behind a sticky residue wherever it goes, which dries slowly into a grey stain. This substance, called the “tears of loss,” is prized by some as a treasure (see next page). Spirits of sorrow speak Giantish and sometimes Common. They possess whatever knowledge they had in life, but they would never share that knowledge, and most of what they know only heightens their despair.
Combat The spirit of sorrow avoids melee—it attempts to avoid being struck at all. In melee, it gains an additional +1 dodge bonus to Armor Class (Defensive Stance) and against ranged attacks it gains a +4 dodge bonus to AC if it moves more than 10 feet in a round (Defensive Move). Usually, in a combat situation, the spirit uses animated undead to attack its foes while it moans and stays clear of assailants. After a few rounds, even the hardiest of opponents finds it difficult to deal with its undead servants. Moan of Sorrow (Su): As a standard action, the spirit of sorrow can moan, afflicting all living, intelligent creatures within 50 feet with terrible sadness. Foes who fail a Will saving throw (DC 27) suffer a –2 penalty to attacks, damage rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and saving throws. The penalty stacks with itself, so consecutive rounds of moaning bestow greater and greater penalties. The sorrow lasts for 10 rounds. This is considered a mind-affecting attack, and the saving throw is Charisma based. Energy Drain (Su): Living creatures hit by a spirit of sorrow’s incorporeal touch attacks gain three negative levels. For each such negative level bestowed, the spirit of sorrow gains 5 temporary hit points. Removing a negative level requires a Fortitude save (DC 27). The saving throw is Charisma based. Paralysis (Su): The touch of the spirit of sorrow, in addition to bestowing negative levels, chills a living victim to the bone with sorrow, paralyzing it. The paralysis lasts for 10 rounds. A Will save (DC 27) negates the effect. This is considered a mind-affecting attack, and the saving throw is Charisma based. Greater Animate the Dead (Sp): Three times per day, the spirit of sorrow can use this spell to create undead creatures to help protect it. Incorporeal (Su): An incorporeal creature has no physical body. It can be harmed only by other incorporeal creatures, magic weapons or creatures that strike as magic weapons,
