Fantasy Monster: Gravelights

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Gravelights

A cloud of ephemeral flames slowly floats over the ground of the graveyard.

CR 6; XP 400
LE Tiny Undead (incorporeal, swarm)

Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +1

Aura eerie glow (improves illumination to dim level within 60 ft.)

Defense
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+1 deflection, +1 Dex, +2 size)
hp 66 (12d8+12)
Fort +5; Ref +5; Will +9

Defensive Abilities incorporeal, swarm; Immune undead traits; Resist cold 10, electricity 10, fire 10

Weakness susceptible to magical area effects

Offense
Speed fly 20 ft. (perfect)

Melee swarm attack (6d6 plus haunting)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.

Special Attacks haunting (DC 17)

Statistics
Str —, Dex 13, Con —, Int –, Wis 12, Cha 13
Base Atk +9; CMB —; CMD —

Skills Fly +13, Perception +1

Ecology
Environment battlefields, graveyards
Organization solitary, funeral (2–5), or festival (6–10)
Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Haunting (Su) Sentient creatures damaged by gravelight's swarm attack are haunted by visions of their dead family, friends, acquaintances, and foes, acting confused for 1 round on a failed Will saving throw (DC 17), ignoring the gravelight and its attacks. This is a mind-affecting illusion (pattern) effect. The saving throw DC is Charisma-based.

Incorporeal Swarm (Ex) As a swarm of Tiny incorporeal creatures, gravelight ignores damage from nonmagical weapons and nonmagical area effects. It receives half damage from ghost touch weapons, and quarter damage from other magical weapons. Magical area effects inflict full damage.

Swarm Attack (Su) Gravelight burns living creatures with cold, deathly flames that ignore resistance or immunity to fire but deal extra damage to creatures susceptible to fire. Corpses exposed to gravelight burn to ashes in 1d4+1 rounds, unless they are on a consecrated, desecrated, hallowed or unhallowed ground. The flames can only be extinguished with magic (such as quench, but also gentle repose and consecrate) or holy water. Undead creatures and haunts within the gravelight space, corporeal or not, are outlined with faerie fire instead, and benefit from the gravelight's resistances.

Gravelights are spiritual vestiges that accumulate over graveyards and battlefields, and manifest out of amassed candle- and bonfire flames, ephemeral and flickering. They are attracted by funeral processions and ceremonies honoring the dead, following the participants from the distance, but they are easily provoked into anger by violation of local taboos regarding the dead and their resting places, disturbance of graves and cairns without following the correct rituals, and even inadequate or subpar offerings to the dead.