Mist, Crimson Death
Climate/Terrain:
| Bogs, swamps
|
|
Frequency:
| Very rare
|
Organization:
| Solitary
|
Activity Cycle:
| Night
|
Diet:
| Carnivore
|
Intelligence:
| Genius (17-18)
|
Treasure:
| Z
|
Alignment:
| Neutral evil
|
No. Appearing:
| 1
|
Armor Class:
| 0 (4)
|
Movement:
| Fl 12, Fl 6 after feeding (B)
|
Hit Dice:
| 13
|
THAC0:
| 7
|
No. of Attacks:
| 1
|
Damage/Attack:
| 3-30
|
Special Attacks:
| See below
|
Special Defenses:
| See below
|
Magic Resistance:
| 95%
|
Size:
| M (6')
|
Morale:
| Champion (15-16)
|
XP Value:
| 9,000
|
The crimson death is a malevolent, vaporous creature that feeds on the bodily
fluids of its victims.
The body of the crimson death is a humanoid-shaped cloud of pale color. It is
difficult to distinguish if seen against fog and nearly invisible to
infravision. During this time, the creature has an initiative bonus of +4. When the
creature is fed, it develops a crimson flush that is easily visible by normal or
infravision. The cloud possesses humanoid features. The fingers elongate into
tentacles when it is feeding. Because of its behavior, sages believe that a Crimson
Death Mist is the result of the actual death of a vampire.
The crimson death's language is a barely audible series of whispers. It can
communicate with other vaporous beings such as air elementals. It communicates
with humanoids only if it is their captive.
Combat: The monster attacks only to feed or defend itself. It surrounds its victim
with vaporous tentacles. Whenever it hits, the tentacles drain bodily fluids and
cause 3d10 points of damage.
The creature is normally immaterial (AC 0) and can be struck only by magical
weapons of +2 or better. After feeding, the creature attains solidity (AC 4) for
six turns. At this time the creature turns red, moves more slowly (Fl 6), and
can be struck by magical weapons of +1 or better.
When a crimson death dies, it immediately dissipates into the air while its
undigested fluids fall to the ground in a grotesque shower.
The crimson death is able to carry loads by levitating anything surrounded by
its vaporous mass. Despite its vaporous nature, the crimson death possesses
strength equal to a normal human. It is able to carry a passive weight equal to an
adult human. If it attempts to pick up a struggling victim, it must make a
successful attack roll for each round it carries the person. Failure means the
person drops to the ground (suffering damage appropriate to the height of the
fall).
Habitat/Society: The crimson death dwells in the bogs and marshes where chill and damp prevail.
The creature is nearly invisible in its native habitat.
The crimson death is a secretive creature. It prefers to feed on solitary
beings, since these are easy to sneak up on and have no allies to lend them
support. If several people are present, the crimson death tries to pick off the guard
while the others sleep; it then feeds on the others at its leisure. In order to
conceal its presence, the crimson death disposes of corpses in its lair or a
deep bog.
It maintains a lair in a thicket, undercut bank, or a hollow space under a
windfall. There the monster stores the valuables it collects from its victims.
These can be used as bribes for humanoid allies or bait for intended victims. The
lair may also contain the remains of past victims.
The crimson death prefers to feed on humanoids. It normally requires one
victim per week. If more people are available, the monster may feed continuously
until destroyed or driven off.
Legends tell of a connection between crimson deaths and vampires. One tale
suggests that, when an undead vampire is destroyed, its spirit is transformed into
a crimson death. Another tale suggests that, when a vampire is created, the
monster's lost soul is reborn elsewhere as a crimson death. This legend also
suggests that a vampire may be restored to normal life if it is rejoined by its
crimson death counterpart. A third legend says that extremely evil air elementals
are condemned and cast out into the Prime Material plane in the forms of
crimson deaths.
Ecology: The crimson death is a dangerous predator that roams the swamps like a living
ghost. A crimson death can be collected and imprisoned in an airtight
container. This does not harm it. A crimson death in such a container may be mistaken
for, or mislabeled as, a bottled djinn or magical vapor. If someone releases the
crimson death, the starving creature immediately attacks its unwitting rescuer.
Crimson deaths are aware of the advantages of alliances. They may agree to
cooperate with evil humanoids who can provide them with a steady supply of
victims. They make excellent allies for those dwelling in or near their lairs.
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