Fantasy Monsters: Wight-Sage

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Wight-Sage

A stooping skeletal figure in ragged robes.

CR 5; 1,600 XP

CE Medium Undead

Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +13

Defense

AC 18; touch 15, flat-footed 16 (+3 deflection, +2 Dex, +3 natural)

hp 59 (7d8+28)

Fort +5; Ref +4; Will +8
Defensive Abilities channeling resistance +4; Immune undead traits

Offense
Speed 30 ft.

Melee 2 slams +8 (1d4+2 plus 1d6 cold)

Special Attacks grasp of death (30 ft., 4d6, Fort DC 16 partial)

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 7th, concentration +10)

Constant—shield of faith

Statistics
Str 14, Dex 14, Con —, Int 17, Wis 17, Cha 17
Base Atk +5; CMB +7; CMD 22

Feats Improved Initiative, Nimble Moves, Weapon Focus (slam), Toughness

Skills Knowledge (arcana) +13, Knowledge (nobility) +10, Knowledge (religion) +13, Perception +13, Sense Motive +13, Spellcraft +13, Use Magic Device +10

Languages Abyssal, Common, Infernal, Sylvan, any appropriate ancient language

SQ change shape (Tiny bat, raven, or snake; beast shape II), unending death

Ecology
Environment ruins, underground
Organization solitary, pair
Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Grasp Of Death (Su) A wight-sage can direct deathly energies against up to three living creatures within 30 feet as a standard action. Targets that fail a Fortitude saving throw (DC 16, dying creatures fail this saving throw automatically) suffer 4d6 points of damage and are marked by death, halving any healing received for 1d4+1 rounds. This is a death effect. The saving throw DC is Charisma-based.

Unending Death (Su) A wight-sage can return destroyed corporeal undead of 6 or less CR to unlife in a complex ritual that can be performed only during a full moon, taking at least 1 hour at the right time. Multiple wight-sages can revive more powerful entities at more unique nights—three wight-sages can revive CR 12 undead on the shortest night of the year, and 27 wight-sages could possibly revive CR 18 undead on a celestially-significant night that happens no more often than once a decade. The ritual requires special components and sacrifices fitting the nature and power of the entity called back into existence, as appropriate for the story. It always require some sort of connection with the target, be it personal bond between the wight-sage and the target, knowledge of the true name, piece of body, favored possession, or being performed in a place of personal significance to the target.

Majority of wight-sages were elders, shamans, and magicians, who—through bonds of either respect or servitude—became members of funeral retinues for chieftains and kings of old. Now, they continue to serve their lords beyond death, haunting ancient barrowlands. A few were given independent burials, in show of respect for their wisdom and power, often lording over a few apprentices, slaves, and beasts of their own.