monsv

Shadow Vessels
Medium-Size Constructs
Hit Dice: 2d10 (11 hp)
Initiative: +2 (Dex)
Speed: 40 ft.
AC: 16 (+2 Dex, +4 natural)
Attacks: Slash +3 melee
Damage: Slash 1d8+3
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Mental susceptibility
Special Qualities: Construct, vanish
Saves: Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +0
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 15, Con -, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 1
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: None
Alignment: Neutral evil
Advancement: Special

Shadow vessels are unique creations of a small order of shadow adepts. Built of highly malleable shadow stuff, they are exceedingly versatile. Given their alterable shape there is no describing them except as dark and shadowy.

Combat
Unlike normal constructs, shadow vessels have an intuitive knowledge of weapons and are capable of most combat maneuvers without instruction. When destroyed they collapse into evaporating pools of shadow.
     Mental Susceptibility (Su): Shadow vessels can be manipulated telepathically in both their actions and appearance.   Attempts to disguise them use are treated as a disguise attempt using Craft (shadows) with a +10 circumstance bonus. This use requires a full round action for a general form, or 10 minutes for a specific individual.
     Also shadow vessels can be commanded to become susceptible to the fears of those near them. They then take on the form of these fears as a free action. This spell functions as a bane spell as cast by 2nd level cleric (Will DC 11).
     Vanish (Su): As a standard action, a shadow vessel that is in shadows can become invisible. This functions like the spell cast by a 4th level sorcerer.

Creation
Creating a shadow vessel requires a 12th level arcane spellcaster with the Craft Wondrous Item feat. First the form must created using greater shadow conjuration and 200 gp in rare ingredients. Fashioning this form requires a Spellcraft check (DC 20). Completing the creation requires the casting of fear, invisibility, geas/quest, and polymorph any object. The ritual drains 50 XP.

Advanced Shadow Vessels
By adding 1,000 gp in materials, casting limited wish and simulacrum, and expending an additional 450 XP a shadow vessel can be made intelligent and capable of character class advancement. One problem with this is the creation become substantially harder to control.