Fantasy NPC: Lord Quaysall and Lady Dorvenor, Spectral Heads

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Lord Quaysall and Lady Dorvenor, Spectral Heads

A pair of glowing blue-grey heads floats around, both attractive despite their clearly spectral nature. Both wear intricate hairstyles and courtly hats a few decades old.

CR 5 (as a pair); 1,600 XP

CE and LE Tiny Undead (incorporeal)

Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8

Defense
AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+2 deflection, +1 Dex, +2 size)

hp 26 (4d8+8)
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +5

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4, incorporeal, rejuvenation; Immune undead traits

Offense
Speed fly 20 ft. (perfect)

Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.

Special Attacks vile utterance

Statistics
Str —, Dex 13, Con —, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 15

Base Atk +3; CMB +2; CMD 14 (can't be knocked prone)
Feats Hover, Improved Initiative

Skills Bluff +9, Diplomacy +9, Fly +13, Knowledge (nobility) +8, Perception +8, Sense Motive +8, Stealth +9

Language Common, Duc, Infernal

SQ courtly bearing

Courtly Bearing (Ex and Su) Being executed courtiers, both Lord Quaysall and Lady Dorvenor treat Bluff, Diplomacy, and Knowledge (nobility) as class skills.

Rejuvenation (Su) Lord Quaysall and Lady Dorvenor are bound to haunt the royal palace until both of them are destroyed at exactly the same time, otherwise they will both recover within 1d4 days.

Vile Utterance (Su) Both Lord Quaysall and Lady Dorvenor can utter deplorable words from beyond the veil of death that stops heartbeat, wither plants, and scares animals. Using this ability is a standard action that targets either one or all beings within 20 feet that can hear them. A successful Will saving throw (DC 14) negates all effects. Affected living targets suffer 3d6 points of damage. Creatures of animal intelligence also panic for 1d4+1 rounds. Mindless undead are dazed for 1d4+1 rounds. Evil creatures suffer –2 penalty to their saving throw against this effect. Creatures that are sleeping, unconscious, unable to hear, or fascinated by something else can't be affected by this ability. This is a sonic necromantic effect. The saving throw DC is Charisma-based.

Both of those spectral heads were courtiers of little prominence and much overinflated egos and sense of self-importance. When their kingdom faced a period of unrest, they tried to fan the flames of riots and start a revolution, hoping to turn it against the royal family and take over themselves. They were far from the master intriguers they viewed themselves to be, though, with their blatant meddling attracting scorn of the protesters and ire of the crown alike. For their actions, they were executed, and to make thing worse, made scapegoats for both the riots and their handling, allowing the court to appease the people and pardon the real culprits.

Now they haunt the capital and the royal palace, fiercely bickering or weaving complex but futile intrigues in turn. Sometimes, they approach lesser nobles, courtiers, and politicians trying to coax them into attempt the most convoluted, self-serving, and inane schemes. At other times, they try to suck up to royal family and greater nobles, or pester and disturb palace servants and guards.