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[Bhu]

Corporeal Spirits are beings who have refused to accept their death and continue on as undead. Trapped on the Ethereal Plane, they come to the Prime Material Plane when blood is spilled on their grave, or when certain events transpire related to their life. For example, if they were a famous fighter, they may return if someone attempts to tarnish their reputation. Above all Corporeal Spirits are great liars. They even lie to themselves in an attempt to convince themselves they're still alive. Corporeal Spirits say they are just victims of a curse for example. This unshakable belief is thought by some to be the source of their power. That and the blood they feast on to maintain their semblance of life. They don't need much blood to maintain themselves, and can gain what they need by simply ripping someone open and letting their victim spray them (it's absorbed through their skin). Most Corporeal Spirits are greedy though, and will cause more damage than is necessary, as the act of feeding reveals that they are dead (driving them into a rage).

CORPOREAL SPIRIT

Corporeal Spirit is an Acquired Template that can be applied to any Aberration, Animal, Dragon, Giant, Humanoid, Magical Beast, Monstrous Humanoid or Plant.

Size and Type: The base creatures type changes to undead. Do not recalculate the base creatures base attack bonus, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.

Hit Dice: All current and future Hit Dice become d12's.

Speed: Speed and movement remains unchanged. The Corporeal Spirit gains a Flight Speed of 50 (Perfect) unless it already has better).

Armor Class: Natural Armor is the same as the Base Creatures plus its Charisma bonus (minimum of +1).

Attacks: A Corporeal Spirit retains all the attacks of the Base Creature, but those relying on physical contact do not effect creatures that aren't ethereal (unless it has manifested). The Base Creature gains a Bite attack if it does not have one already. Damage depends on the Corporeal Spirits size (Fine: 1 point, Diminutive: 1d2, Tiny: 1d3, Small: 1d4, Medium: 1d6, Large: 1d8, Huge: 2d6, Gargantuan: 3d6, Colossal: 4d6). This bite attack cannot be used while the Corporeal Spirit is maintaining it's Lifelike Appearance (see below).

Damage: Against ethereal creatures, the Corporeal Spirit attacks normally. Against non ethereal targets the Corporeal Spirit usually cant physically damage them but can use special attacks (unless it has manifested).

Special Attacks: A Corporeal Spirit retains all the Special Attacks of the base creature, but those relying on physical contact cannot effect non ethereal creatures (unless it has manifested). The Corporeal Spirit also gains the Corporeal Manifestation Ability, and 3 others from the following list. The Save DC against a Special Attack is 10 plus half hit dice plus Charisma modifier unless otherwise stated.

Corporeal Manifestation (Su): A Corporeal Spirit can emerge from the Ethereal Plane when blood is spilled on it's physical remains, or during certain circumstances related to it's life decided by the DM. It manifests as a physical being temporarily losing it's Incorporeal Subtype. If destroyed it returns to the Ethereal Plane until it can find a way through again.

Ghost's Curse (Su): You may cast Bestow Curse at will as a Supernatural ability. Anyone 'slaying' (i.e. temporarily ending your existence without permanently getting rid of you) a Corporeal Spirit is automatically subjected to this ability and receives no Save.

Numbing Touch (Su): Your touch is cold and numbs the body of your victims. If a Corporeal Spirit successfully Grapples a victim that victim must make a Fortitude Save or become Paralyzed until the Corporeal Spirit releases it's hold.

Slay Memory (Su): The Corporeal Spirit may psychically assault victims to erase their memories. As a Full Round Action it may choose 1 opponent within 30 feet, and that victim must make a Willpower Save or lose all memory of the past 24 hours. Only Break Enchantment, Dispel Evil, Miracle, Wish, or a similar spell will restore the lost memories.

Strike Dumb (Su): The Corporeal Spirit may psychically assault victims to render them speechless. As a Full Round Action it may choose 1 opponent within 30 feet, and that victim must make a Willpower Save or be rendered incapable of revealing anything it knows about the Corporeal Spirit, as well as being mute. Only Break Enchantment, Dispel Evil, Miracle, Wish, or a similar spell will restore the lost memories.

Terrifying Appearance (Su): If your Lifelike Appearance is lost, any living creature within 30 feet seeing your true appearance must make a Willpower Save or become Panicked for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per point of your Charisma modifier. If they make their save successfully, they are immune to the Terrifying Appearance of this Corporeal Spirit for 24 hours.

Bestial Rage (Su): If your Lifelike Appearance is lost you go into a berserker frenzy attacking every living creature you can detect until everything is dead. This state is identical to the Barbarian Rage ability listed on page 25 of the PHB, except you also temporarily grow long claws which you can use as Secondary natural weapons. Damage depends on the Corporeal Spirits size (Fine: -, Diminutive: 1 point, Tiny: 1d2, Small: 1d3, Medium: 1d4, Large: 1d6, Huge: 1d8, Gargantuan: 2d6, Colossal: 3d6).


Special Qualities: A Corporeal Spirit has all the Special Qualities of the Base Creature plus Blood Drinking, Rejuvenation, Turn Immunity, Unnatural Aura, Lifesense, Lifelike Appearance, and 1 other from the following list:

Blood Drinking (Ex): A Corporeal Spirit must consume the blood of living creatures to maintain it's ties to the material plane. After 2 weeks without blood the Corporeal Spirit cannot maintain it's lifelike appearance. After that it must make a DC 15 Fortitude Save each day it goes without food or return to the Ethereal Plane. The save DC gains a cumulative +1 each day until the Corporeal Spirit fails. The amount of blood consumed is immaterial so long as some is drank each day, however most Corporeal Spirits feel compelled to gorge, often revealing themselves in the process. A successful Bite attack is usually sufficient to feed.

Rejuvenation (Su): This is the same as the regular Ghosts ability listed on page 118 of the Monster Manual.

Turn Immunity (Ex): You are Immune to Turn/Rebuke Undead attempts.

Unnatural Aura (Su): Animals will not come within 30 feet of a Corporeal Spirit, and Panic if forced to do so (they remain Panicked so long as the Corporeal Spirit is within Range).

Lifesense (Su): Corporeal Spirits may automatically sense Living creatures within 100 feet as thought they had Blindsight. They also automatically know the strength of their life force as if they had cast Deathwatch.

Lifelike Appearance (Su): When manifested corporeal spirits appear to be alive and healthy. They are warm to the touch, and even appear to breathe. But this is illusion. Anyone who suspects them can make a Willpower Save ( DC is 10 plus half hit dice plus Charisma modifier) to see through it. In which case they see the Corporeal Spirit as he was when he died, with pale skin, and their eyes long gone. The Corporeal Spirit cannot maintain this facade if it has been more than 2 weeks without feeding, or on Hallowed ground. If a Corporeal Spirit has fed within the last hour it's Lifelike Appearance cannot be seen through, and it can even sire children (said Progeny have the Half Ghost Template). After that hour it may be seen though as normal. Spells that would detect it's undead nature or health or alignment do not work upon it well. The Corporeal Spirit gets a Willpower Save (DC is 10 plus spell level plus appropriate attribute modifier) to control what information its opponent receives. This does not work if the Corporeal Spirit has lost it's Lifelike Appearance.

Iron Skin: The Corporeal Spirit has Damage Reduction 10/Magic.

The Blood is the Life (Su): For 1 hour after feeding all rolls made by the Corporeal Spirit are at +2.

Spell Resistance (Ex): The Corporeal Spirit gains Spell Resistance equal to 10 plus half its hit Dice plus its Charisma modifier.

Unnatural Vitality (Ex): The Corporeal Spirit may add its Charisma modifier to it's hit points instead of it's now nonexistent Constitution score.

Saves: Unchanged

Abilities: +8 Str, +4 Dex, +2 Wis, +4 Cha. Corporeal Spirits have no Constitution Score.

Skills: Corporeal Spirits have a +8 Racial Bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Listen, and Spot checks.

Feats: Corporeal Spirits get 1 Ghost Feat as a Bonus Feat (Ghost Feats will be detailed soon)

Environment: Any, usually same as Base Creature.

Organization: Same as Base Creature, usually Solitary now.

Challenge Rating: +2

Treasure: Unchanged

Alignment: Unchanged, but many tend towards evil because of their feeding requirements.

Advancement: As Base Creature

Level Adjustment: +7

Example of creature using template here:

"No one has ever liked the house at the end of Salem Street. It's old, and run down, and even a little disturbing to look at. Strange cries have been heard from it at night, and many of the people in neighboring houses have long since left. In it lives the Old Man. No one remembers his name, and he was considered old during your fathers time. You recall the first time you saw him as a child. You knew something about him was wrong. Animals fled from him, and even the flies that swarmed in the summertime didn't bother him. His eyes were strange. Terrifying. Like the eyes of someone who has looked into Hell, and found it wanting. His smile made you want to vomit.

Recently the Guild that adopted you decided to raid his house. The supposition was that he must have had a great deal of money to survive without working all this time. You even sent a low level Mage in, just in case. Some of the more superstitious members thought he might be a Mage himself due to his longevity. It's been 3 weeks. They haven't come back. Other Guild members have been found daily, drained of blood with their backs broken, hanging from the towns lamp posts. You are one of the few left, and in desperation you have turned yourself in to the Order of Saint Cuthbert. In return for swearing off a life of crime, and devoting yourself to the Church, they will help you rid the world of what you believe is some sort of monster. You can only hope the priest they sent with you is able to help. He looks young. Too eager to prove himself.

And then the Old Man steps out into the street. Even the driving wind and rain from the summer storms don't seem to touch him. He smiles. A mouth full of razors. And you think for the second time today: I am going to die tonight."


The Old Man (Male Human, apparent age undeterminable (but very old), Hexblade 11/Corporeal Spirit)
Medium Undead
Hit Dice: 11d12 (71 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), Fly 50 ft (good)
Armor Class: 15 (+1 Dex, +4 Natural), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Armor Class Raging : 13 (-2 Rage, +1 Dex, +4 Natural), touch 9, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+15
Attack: Bite +15 melee (1d6+4) or Grapple +15 or weapon +15
Bite +17 melee (1d6+6) or Grapple +17 or weapon +17when raging
Full Attack: 1 Bite +15 melee (1d6+4) or Grapple +15 or weapon +15/+9
1 Bite +17 melee (1d6+4) and 2 Claws +12 melee (1d4+3) or Grapple +17 or weapon +17/+12 when Raging
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Corporeal Manifestation, Ghosts Curse, Numbing Touch, Bestial Rage, Greater Hexblades Curse 3/day, Spells
Special Qualities: Blood Drinking, Rejuvenation, Turn Immunity, Unnatural Aura, Lifesense, Lifelike Appearance, DR 10/Magic, Mettle, Arcane Resistance
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +11 (+13 Raging)
Abilities: Str 18 (22 Raging), Dex 12, Con -, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 19
Skills: Bluff +19, Concentration +11, Diplomacy +19, Intimidate +19, Knowledge Arcana +8, Listen +11, Spellcraft +8, Spot +11
Feats: Combat Casting (B), Spell Focus (Necromancy) (B), Ability Focus (Hexblades Curse), Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Dodge, Empowered Ghosts Curse (B)
Challenge Rating: 13
Treasure: See below
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Level Adjustment: +5

Spells Known: 1st (DC 15, 2/day): Charm Person, Disguise Self, Karmic Aura, Reaving Aura
2nd (DC 16, 2/day):Karmic Backlash, Blindness/Deafness
3rd (DC 17, 1/day): Hound of Doom, Vampiric Touch

Corporeal Manifestation (Su): The Old Man can emerge from the Ethereal Plane when blood is spilled on his physical remains, or if someone enters his house. He manifests as a physical being temporarily losing it's Incorporeal Subtype. If destroyed he returns to the Ethereal Plane until he can find a way through again.

Ghost's Curse (Su): The Old Man may cast Bestow Curse (DC 19) at will as a Supernatural ability. Anyone 'slaying' (i.e. temporarily ending his existence without permanently getting rid of him)the Old Man is automatically subjected to this ability and receives no Save.

Numbing Touch (Su): The Old Man's touch is cold and numbs the body of his victims. If he successfully Grapples a victim, that victim must make a DC 19 Fortitude Save or become Paralyzed until the Old Man releases ihis hold.

Bestial Rage (Su): If his Lifelike Appearance is lost the Old Man goes into a berserker frenzy attacking every living creature he can detect until everything is dead. This state is identical to the Barbarian Rage ability listed on page 25 of the PHB, except he also temporarily grows long claws which he can use as Secondary natural weapons. Damage is 1d4.

Blood Drinking (Ex): The Old Man must consume the blood of living creatures to maintain his ties to the material plane. After 2 weeks without blood he cannot maintain his lifelike appearance. After that he must make a DC 15 Fortitude Save each day he goes without food or return to the Ethereal Plane. The save DC gains a cumulative +1 each day until he fails. The amount of blood consumed is immaterial so long as some is drank each day.

Rejuvenation (Su): This is the same as the regular Ghosts ability listed on page 118 of the Monster Manual. To permanently end the Old Man he must be shown proof of his demise, and be compelled to accept it.

Unnatural Aura (Su): Animals will not come within 30' of the Old Man , and Panic if forced to do so (they remain Panicked so long as the Old Man is within Range).

Lifesense (Su): The Old Man may automatically sense Living creatures within 100' as though he had Blindsight. He also automatically knows the strength of their life force as if he had cast Deathwatch.

Lifelike Appearance (Su): When manifested corporeal spirits appear to be alive and healthy. They are warm to the touch, and even appear to breathe. But this is illusion. Anyone who suspects them can make a Willpower Save ( DC 19 for the Old Man) to see through it. In which case they see the Corporeal Spirit as he was when he died, with pale skin, and their eyes long gone. The Corporeal Spirit cannot maintain this facade if it has been more than 2 weeks without feeding, or on Hallowed ground. If a Corporeal Spirit has fed within the last hour it's Lifelike Appearance cannot be seen through, and it can even sire children (said Progeny have the Half Ghost Template). After that hour it may be seen though as normal. Spells that would detect it's undead nature or health or alignment do not work upon it well. The Corporeal Spirit gets a Willpower Save (DC is 10 plus spell level plus appropriate attribute modifier) to control what information its opponent receives. This does not work if the Corporeal Spirit has lost it's Lifelike Appearance.

Mettle: If the Old Man makes a successful Will or Fortitude Save against an attack that would normally have a lesser effect on a successful Save, he instead completely negates the effect.

Arcane Resistance: The Old Man gets a +4 bonus to saving throws against spells and spell like abilities.

Hexblades Curse: 3 times per day the Old Man may curse a visible target within 60'. The target must make a DC 21 Willpower Save or take a -4 penalty on attacks, saves, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls for 1 hour.

The Old Man died peacefully in his sleep, but his spirit refused to accept it. he still has all the appropriate equipment for an 11th level PC, and all the money he's stolen from his victims.

Combat: The Old Man usually uses his Hexblade's Curse, Ghost's Curse, and spells to soften up opponents from afar, before Grappling them and strangling them to death. After that he rips them apart to get to their blood.



Berserkers were ill tempered men of a martial bent in life. Their temper has only grown worse in death, particularly when they are confronted with the reality of their own demise.



Hexen were usually mildly talented casters, on the verge of finally gaining access to real power before coming to a brutal and premature end. Now they seek a way to regain the path they lost when dying.