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I had a look around to see if a thread like this had already been created and couldn't find one. Apologies if I'm retreading old ground.
This is mostly a thread for people to collate their own twists, additions, enhancements and side treks to The Haunting of Harrowstone - and possibly later modules as well. Here's my initial offering; a variant monster that should do well with 'The Professor's Return' optional encounter.
A beckoning zombie has arisen for one purpose; to seek out the one closest to them in life and slay them. This is generally their husband, daughter, father, or similar.
The zombie remembers pieces of its old life and travels to the place they think this person is most likely to be. If they locate their target, they attempt to kill them.
Should they succeed, the zombie passes on to its final rest, falling lifeless alongside their victim.
Special Qualities: A beckoning zombie does not gain DR 5/slashing.
Special Attacks: A beckoning zombie gains the following special attack.
Beckoning Call (Su): This ability only works on the zombie's chosen loved one. As a standard action, the zombie can call to their target; this call is generally a whispered, moaning repetition of the target's name.
If the target is within 100 feet of the zombie, the target must make a Will save (DC 12) or be captivated as by harpy song.
A victim under the effects of a beckoning call moves toward the zombie using the most direct means available. If the path leads them into a dangerous area such as through fire or off a cliff, that creature receives a second saving throw to end the effect before moving into peril. Captivated creatures can take no actions other than to defend themselves. A victim within 5 feet of the zombie simply stands and offers no resistance to the zombie's attacks.
This effect continues for as long as the zombie beckons, and it can maintain the beckoning as a move action. This is a sonic mind-affecting charm effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Abilities: As a standard zombie, except its Charisma is increased by 2. This increases its hit points by 2 and its Fortitude save by 1.
Special Qualities: A beckoning zombie does not gain the staggered special quality.
This is a neat variation. May I assume you designed it with
in mind? I ask because the method of his death would make calling, whispering, and/or moaning rather difficult.
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This is a neat variation. May I assume you designed it with
** spoiler omitted **
in mind? I ask because the method of his death would make calling, whispering, and/or moaning rather difficult.
I did, and yes, *technically* his head should be mush. However, nothing stops you reflavoring his death so that his head is more intact. And the zombie in question doens't need a working mouth or vocal chords to use the call, because it's magic, and all that. Think of the ability as functioning like a weird magic mouth, rather than the zombie actually speaking - because it's still mindless, and still doesn't speak.
However, nothing stops you reflavoring his death so that his head is more intact.
The manner of his death was quite intentional. By removing his mouth, he is unable to communicate with anybody if they use Speak with Dead on him.
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However, nothing stops you reflavoring his death so that his head is more intact.The manner of his death was quite intentional. By removing his mouth, he is unable to communicate with anybody if they use Speak with Dead on him.
I am aware of the intent of the death. it's also to hide the look of terror from the phantasmal killer. My suggestion is more to smash the lower part of the face, but leave a recognisable head intact. Losing the jawbone nullifies speak with dead, you don't need the whole head to be paste.