Jason Andresen (order #1578489) - Jump page for Jubei

Dread
Dread, 5th-Level Human Fighter
Medium Undead (Augmented Humanoid)
Hit Dice: 5d12 (32 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
AC: 24 (-1 Dex, +15 natural),
touch 9, flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+9
Attack: Handblade +10 melee (1d8+4)
Full Attack: Handblade +10 melee (1d8+4 )
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/magic, darkvision 60 ft.,
spell resistance 20, turn immunity,
undead traits
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +2
Of all the ancient Orgoth left behind, perhaps nothing
speaks of their potential cruelty as plainly as the dread.
These magically created abominations were designed as
servants to the wealthy and powerful though I fear they
functioned more often than not as bodyguards and assassins.
Dread appear as horribly mutilated humanoids, their blistered
flesh interwoven with shards of shining metal and various
weaponry often completely replacing their hands and arms.
Used by Orgoth necromancers to instill fear on the battlefield
and to terrify resistant populations into submission,
squads of these creatures (often still recognizable as the persons
they were in life) patrolled the streets after dark and ensured
curfews were strictly followed. Dread were also used to guard
Orgoth fortresses, and in some remote ruins they may still
lurk even today.
The creation of a dread of any kind is an abominably
evil act and I cannot imagine where or how the Orgoth
perfected this perverted science. They were most often
created with the sacrifice of powerful warriors and
wizards captured by the empire. These fell creatures
belong in the pages of history, but I regret
to report they have not remained there.
Indeed, the dread once more walk the kingdoms.
I do not know who has gained the knowledge
of their construction, but I encountered one
along the border of Ord not too long ago. It did
not seem to be under direct command, and I found no master
nearby. It may have been wandering aimlessly for hundreds of
years, but after I slew the thing (it was a close call, let me tell
you) it seemed… fresh.
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Abilities: Str 19, Dex 9, Con —,
Int 11, Wis 12, Cha 10
Skills: Climb +7, Handle Animal +3,
Intimidate +8, Jump +8, Ride +5,
Swim +8
Feats: Alertness, Athletic, Cleave, Mounted Combat,
Power Attack, Ride-By Attack,
Weapon Focus (handblade) B
Environment: Any land
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 7
Alignment: Neutral evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: —
CREATING DREAD
The process requires a Small, Medium, or Large living
humanoid. The subject, who must be completely restrained, is
prepared by the casting of resist energy (fire) followed by permanency
upon their person.
A vat of 100 pounds of pure molten iron must be prepared,
followed by a Craft (metallurgy) check (DC 25).
Once the subject has been adequately restrained, a hole is
cut into his chest to the heart. The molten iron must be forcibly
poured directly into the subject’s still-beating
heart for at least 2d6 rounds until it has been
completely absorbed throughout the body. The
molten metal causes 1d10 internal damage per
round regardless of the effects of resist energy .
After the subject reaches 0 hp and before
death at –10 hp, the spells gentle repose, dominate person,
and soul bind (requiring a black sapphire of 1,000 gp
per HD) must be successfully cast upon him.
Finally the dread is immersed in ice-cold water to
set the metal used in its construction.
The metal superstructure of a dread provides
it with armor-like protection from damage and
may be enchanted to further increase its armor
class. Weapons and other metal objects (such as
climbing spikes, lantern holders, or shields) may
be welded or similarly affixed to a dread’s frame
without causing it damage.
“Dread” is an acquired template that can be added to any
humanoid. A dread uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here.
Jason Andresen (order #1578489) 9