Elder Evils

PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS
Each of the following malefic properties is possessed by at
least one of the elder evils described later in this book.
Anathematic Secrecy
This malefic property shrouds an elder evil from discovery
by divination spells of a divine origin.
Benefit: Any divine spell of the divination school automatically
fails when used to ascertain information about an
elder evil. Divination spells that are also arcane function
normally if they are cast by a nondivine spellcaster.
This ability is always active.
Dark Visiting
An elder evil that has this property projects
terrifying nightmares into the dreams
of the gods’ servants.
Benefit: Each living divine
spellcaster who sleeps
within the area of this
malefic property must
succeed on a Will save
(DC 10 + 1/2 elder
evil’s HD + elder evil’s
Cha modifier) or be
plagued with maddening
dreams. Upon
awakening, the caster
takes 1d4+1 points of
Wisdom damage and
is fatigued for the
remainder of the day.
In addition, the caster
does not benefit from
the rest required to
regain spells or spell
slots, psionic power
points, and the like.
An affected spellcaster
whose Wisdom is
reduced to half normal
or lower by this effect is
affected as if by an insanity
spell (PH 244) while within the
area of this malefic property.
This ability is always active.
Discord and Woe
The presence of an elder evil that has this
property incites violence and suffering.
Benefit: Each round as a standard action, an elder evil
can force a single living creature it can see that is within the
area of this malefic property to make a Will save (DC 10 +
1/2 elder evil’s HD + elder evil’s Cha modifier). On a failure,
the creature’s alignment changes to match that of the elder
evil, and the target immediately enters a killing rage. This
frenzy functions as a barbarian’s rage ability, except that
the affected creature must attack the closest creature each
round it remains enraged. The raging creature takes 1 point
of vile damage each round until it is killed or it manages to
end the effect.
Ancient evil infests the world
and daunts the holy
An affected creature is entitled to a new Will save each
round to break free from the rage. If it succeeds, its alignment
reverts to normal, but the creature might suffer other consequences
of the frenzy, such as violating a code of conduct.
Divine Enervation
An elder evil that has this property can destroy the link
between a deity and its mortal followers.
Benefit: All divine spellcasters lose the ability to
regain spells so long as they remain within the area of this
malefic property. This interdiction does not interfere with
spellcasting.
This ability is always active.
Divine Scourge
An elder evil that has this
property can punish deities’
servants with a powerful
surge of profane energy.
Benefit: Once per day,as
a swift action, the elder evil
can unleash a deadly pulse
throughout the area of this
malefic property. All divine
spellcasters and extraplanar
creatures within the
area become sickened
for 1d4 hours. In
addition, each affected
creature must succeed
on a Fortitude save (DC
10 + 1/2 elder evil’s Hit
Dice + elder evil’s Con or
Cha modifier, whichever
is higher) or take 1 point of
vile damage per Hit Die of
the elder evil.
Impervious
to the Divine
An elder evil that has this
property cannot be affected
by divine magic of any kind,
regardless of the source.
Benefit: The elder evil is immune
to all divine spells, whether from a spellcaster
or a magic item. It is also immune
to spell-like and supernatural abilities of
extraplanar creatures and deities.
This ability is always active.
True Death
The presence of an elder evil that has this property weakens
the souls of living creatures so that they are lost on death.
Benefit: Any creature that dies within the area of this
malefic property is forever dead. Its soul has not passed to
the Outer Planes but has died with the body; the creature
cannot be raised by any means. In addition, all spells and
spell-like effects that have the death descriptor are cast at +4
caster level.
This ability is always active.
Illus. by M. Coimbra
CHAPTER 1
EVIL DOES
NOT SLEEP
15