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Random
Encounters |
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Hollow
When he turned to corruption, Szorlog needed lieutenants to do his bidding.
His wolf animal companions were available, so using procedures learned from the
evil trapped beneath him, he skinned them and turned them into undead minions
known as hollow dogs. Szorlog's hollow dogs roam the Twisted Wood as his mobile
watchers and advanced attack units. He even sends them outside the wood
occasionally to places where the treant would dare not send his awakened trees.
Below is the template for creating a hollow creature. An example of
Szorlog's hollow dogs follows.
Hollow
Hollow creatures are the skins of natural creatures that are flayed and sewn
back together with the creature's insides. The remains are then burned on a
desecrated pyre. The disconnected spirit of the creature finds itself forced to
stay with the remains of its body. After animating the skin, a newly hollowed
creature seeks to refill its insides with the flesh of any other living
creature that it can tear apart and stuff into its maw.
Creating a Hollow
"Hollow" is a template that can be added to any animal, beast,
humanoid, or monstrous humanoid (hereafter referred to as the "base
creature"). The creature's type changes to undead. It uses all the base
creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Hit Dice: Increased to d12.
Speed: Because of a hollow creature's unnaturally light weight, it
gains 20 feet to its land speed.
Special Attacks: A hollow creature retains all the special attacks of
the base creature and also gains the following.
Hungry Moan (Su): At will, a hollow creature can funnel wind through
its skin, which creates a low moan that frightens and dulls the senses of all
who hear it. Every living creature within 120 feet that hears it must succeed
at a Will save (DC 10 + one-half hollow creature's nonclass Hit Dice + hollow
creature's Charisma modifier) or be paralyzed with fear for 1d6 rounds. This
effect is a sonic and mind-affecting.
Maddening Howl (Su): When a hollow creature pitches the sound
differently, it drives any creature within a 60-foot cone that fails a Will
save (DC 10 + one-half hollow creature's nonclass Hit Dice + hollow creature's
Charisma modifier) to madness, dealing 2d4 points of Wisdom damage. This is a
sonic effect.
Special Qualities: A hollow creature has all the special qualities of
the base creature and also gains the undead type. In addition, it gains the
following ability:
Livesense (Su): A hollow creature can sense living creatures within
120 feet regardless of concealment or cover behind unliving objects. Livesense
allows a hollow creature to sense only the basic shape and outline of a living
target. It cannot differentiate between two creatures with the same basic
build, as with sight. Smaller creatures can take cover behind larger ones to
hide from livesense. Hollow creatures cannot track with livesense.
Saves: Same as the base creature.
Abilities: A hollow creature gains +4 to Strength and Dexterity. Being
undead, it has no Constitution score.
Skills: Same as the base creature.
Feats: Same as the base creature.
Climate/Terrain: Any land and underground.
Organization: Same as the base creature.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
Treasure: None.
Alignment: Always evil (any).
Advancement: Same as the base creature.
Sample Hollow Creature
This example uses a wolf as the base creature.
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Hollow Dog Hollow dogs are the skins of wolves, coyotes, and other wild dogs. The
animals are skinned and their innards are burned on a desecrated pyre,
trapping their spirits in their skins. The skins are then sewn up into the
shape of the dog, and their spirits animate the hollow skins. Combat Hollow dogs are restless and hungry. They seek out living things with meat
on them in an attempt to devour their innards. After they rip off chunks of a
living creature, however, the meat falls out the seams and through the feet
in a grisly trail. Trip (Ex): A hollow dog that hits with a bite attack can attempt to
trip the opponent as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking
an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to
trip the hollow dog. Hungry Moan (Su): At will, a hollow dog can funnel wind through its
skin, which creates a low moan that frightens and dulls the senses of all who
hear it. Every living creature within 120 feet that hears it must succeed at
a Will save (DC 9) or be paralyzed with fear for 1d6 rounds. This ability is
a sonic, mind-affecting effect. Maddening Howl (Su): When a hollow dog pitches the sound
differently, it drives any creature within a 60-foot cone that fails a Will
save (DC 9) to madness, dealing 2d4 points of Wisdom damage. This is a sonic
effect. Livesense (Su): A hollow dog can sense living creatures within 120
feet regardless of concealment or cover behind unliving objects. Livesense
allows a hollow creature to sense only the basic shape and outline of a
living target. It cannot differentiate between two creatures with the same
basic build, as with sight. Smaller creatures can take cover behind larger
ones to hide from livesense. Hollow creatures cannot track with livesense. Scent (Ex): A hollow dog can detect approaching enemies, sniff out
hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. Undead Traits: A hollow dog
is immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, disease, death,
effects, necromantic effects, mind-affecting effects, and any effect
requiring a Fortitude save unless it also works on objects. It is not subject
to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, ability drain, or energy
drain. Negative energy heals it, and it is not at risk of death from massive
damage, but it is destroyed at 0 hit points or less. A hollow dog has
darkvision (60-foot range). It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only
if it is willing. Skills: *A hollow dog receives a +4 racial bonus on Wilderness Lore
checks when tracking by scent |
Medium-Size
Undead