The Indwelt

Herein are gathered all the threads about those creatures that stalk our nightmares and against whom are characters must battle!
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KaiserKris
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Posts: 303
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 5:53 am
Location: Manitoba, Canada

The Indwelt

Post by KaiserKris »

The Indwelt
You've been told stories about a terrible lich living at the centre of a abandoned, twisted seminary, but instead of the undead creature you were told to believe was there, you see another creature altogether, dressed in robes covered in obscene sigils, with flesh blacker than obsidian, seemingly dimming the room by its very presence. It speaks in a terrible tongue and shadowy tendrils extend from it to attack you.

No. Encountered: 1
Size: Medium
HD: As base creature (minimum 12 HD, add +1 HP per HD)
Move: 30" (walk), 60' (fly)
AC: 20 (or as base creature if higher)
Attack: 2x Claws (1d6+2),
Special: Demonic Affinity, Greater Demon Traits, Shadow Tendrils, Summoning
Saves: P, M
Int: Genius
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Type: Extraplanar (demonic)
Treasure: Varies, but usually high
XP: Varies (consider Shadow Tendrils and Demonic Affinity level 3 abilities, Greater Demon traits as a 1 and 2 together, and Summoning as a level 2 ability)

Demonic Affinity: Demons generally have significant respect for the Indwelt. Lesser demons will generally obey them, and greater demons use them as potent agents.

Greater Demon Traits: All greater demons have the following traits: Immunity to acid, poison, disease, energy drain and fear spells
Requires a magical, good-aligned or cold iron weapon to damage them, regeneration of 1 hp/round, access to the following spells at will: demonic fear, magic circle against good/law, teleport without error, telepathic communication in any language within 100”,
darkvision out to 120”

Shadow Tendrils: The Indwelt can spread their corruption to individuals with a collective HD no more than the Indwelt's own, if they fail a Charisma save against possession their skin becomes similarly black and they gain the qualities of a lesser demon. They obey the directives of the Indwelt. Once possessed, an individual can make another Charisma save each round, at a further -2 penalty each time this is attempted. At -10, the individual becomes an Indwelt of their level.

Summoning: The Indwelt can summon 1d4 shadow demons once per day, or with the sacrifice of an individual of at least 9 HD, they can call up a balor.

While the practice of necromancy and the dark transformation into a lich is the most common route for an evil wizard to gain immortality of a sort, others practice foul conjuration magics to call up shadow demons. While normally shadow demons prey upon creatures of roughly equal or lesser strength, sometimes a powerful wizard can bind them into their own being, running a dire risk of being possessed and consumed by the demon. The vast majority fall completely under the thrall of the shadow demon and find themselves extinguished, body and soul, the fortunate demon far closer in its foul quest to become a balor.

However, a very few manage to take these demons within themselves, changing irrevocably, but maintaining the bulk of their individual personae, fusing permanently with the fiend and gaining great power over their kind. These Indwelt are among the most feared creatures on Earth, respected even by the demons that create them, as anyone with the primal Will to bind a demon into themselves and retain even a shred of themselves would.

Most Indwelt are as cunning as they are brutal and are likely to be encountered as either the ultimate mastermind or as a high-level agent of an incredibly powerful demonic force. Should they be encountered in combat, they will use their dark magics in order to twist and pervert enemies towards their own ends, preferring to do this rather than outright destroy enemies, though they will not hesistate to do so.

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Lurker
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Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:00 am
Location: Oklahoma

Re: The Indwelt

Post by Lurker »

Yet again, NICE :!:
"And so I am become a knight of the Kingdom of Dreams and Shadows!" - Mark Twain

Forgive all spelling errors.

Knight Errant & Humble C&C Society Contributor
C&C Society

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