2019-10-28

Fantasy NPC: Ghost of Ulfdag The Mistrustful, The Poisoned King

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Ulfdag The Mistrustful, The Poisoned King

A rather portly, though transparent man, with an almost skeletal, half-decayed face, and beard of withered gray hair. He is wearing purple robes and golden crown.

CR 8; XP 4,800
Male human ghost aristocrat 9
LE Medium Undead (augmented human, incorporeal)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +15
Aura haunted keep

Defense
AC 17, touch 17, flat-footed 14 (+4 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 99 (9d8+45)
Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +10
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4, incorporeal, rejuvenation; Immune undead traits

Offense
Speed 30 ft. (perfect)
Melee corrupting touch +9 (9d6, Fort DC 18 half)
Special Attacks whispers of treason (DC 18)

Statistics
Str —, Dex 14, Con —, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 18
Base Atk +6; CMB +6; CMD 23
Feats Alertness, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Weapon Focus (corrupting touch)
Skills Diplomacy +16, Fly +10, Knowledge (local) +14, Knowledge (nobility) +14, Perception +23, Perform (oratory) +16, Ride +14, Sense Motive +15, Stealth +10
Language Common, Duk, Sylvan

Haunted Keep (Sp and Su) The whole old keep haunted by the dead king is accursed, being permanently desecrated by the act of the regicide (bonuses are already included in Ulfdag's stat block), and desecration will reasserts itself after 24 hours if removed somehow, as long as the king haunts the keep. All food and drink brought within the old keep spoils within a few hours. Any magical potion drunk while within the old keep acts as potion of inflict wounds of the same spell level as the potion's spell level instead of its normal effects, unless a successful Will saving throw (DC 18) is made.

Whispers Of Treason (Su) Ulfdag The Mistrustful can cloud the mind of a sapient being within 60 feet that fails a Will saving throw (DC 18) with thoughts of distrust and fear of betrayal as a swift action. The victim doesn't count anyone as an ally and doesn't count as anyone's ally, remains unwilling subject to any effects, including harmless ones, won't consume any food, drink, or potion, and avoids taking any action that would provoke attacks of opportunity while within reach of any other creature, believing them to be awaiting to take advantage of any opening. Whispers of treason last for 1d4+1 rounds, though failing three consecutive saving throws against this ability causes the victim to develop paranoia insanity that lasts until cured. This is an compulsion effect with emotion descriptor. The saving throw DC is Charisma-based.


Ulfdag The Mistrustful died an ignoble death of being poisoned by own kin. The traitorous culprit never had the courage to reveal oneself, though, sending the king into the death's cold embrace thirstying for vengeance. There were few who could do that, however, limiting Ulfdag's suspicions to his wife, his son, and his brother. His wife grieved for a scandalously short time, his son quickly—too quickly—adjusted to sitting on his father's throne, and his brother could finally exert greater influence over the kingdom's affairs than Ulfdag ever let him... One of them is surely responsible for murdering Ulfdag, who won't find rest until the guilty is brought before his deceased majesty and executed for the heinous crime committed.

Until then, Ulfdag The Mistrustful roams his old keep, mostly abandoned for years now, since the new king and the court were repelled away by the haunting. Now they reside in a new keep, built within the second circle of extended castle walls, while the old keep is only occasionally visited by servants and retainers quickly scurrying around to recover some old records, trinkets, or other items left behind during the relocation, while trying to avoid the rats, spiders, and ranting spirit...


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