Fantasy Monster: Lumberhack

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Lumberhack

A pallid, wretched thing with mad eyes, dead flesh, missing jaw, and hatchets stitched where his hands should be.

CR 3; XP 800
NE Medium Undead

Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Perception +1

Defense
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 33 (6d8+6); fast healing 3
Fort +3; Ref +4; Will +6

Defensive Qualities channel resistance +2, undying; DR 5/magic or silver; Immune undead traits

Offense
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., burrow 10 ft.

Melee 2 hatchet-arms +6 (1d6+2, ×3)

Special Attacks pounce, wood-bane

Statistics
Str 14, Dex 14, Con —, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 17

Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Nimble Moves

Skills Climb +10, Perception +1, Profession (lumberjack) +7

Ecology
Environment forest, ruins
Organization solitary, pack (2–12)
Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Undying (Su) A lumberhack reduced to 0 hit points drops incapacitated but isn't destroyed unless it is burned, decapitated, or exposed to direct sunlight. It remains inert until fully healed by its fast healing ability. If an incapacitated lumberhack is carefully pierced through and stuck to the ground with a long piece of wood or metal, it remains pinned and can't remove it on its own.

Wood-Bane (Su) A lumberhack attacks gain +2 enhancement bonus and inflict 2d6 points of extra damage against plants, plant creatures, wooden objects, and constructs made of wood and similar plant materials. They also count as cold iron.

More than zombies, but not quite ghouls, wights, or vampire spawn, lumberhacks are semi-feral undead lumberjacks.

Originally, they were mundane lumberjacks that came to serve a vampire baron who lorded over a thoroughly forested vale, enticed by the pay he promised to those who would work his lands. When he sent them to clear the heart of the forest, they fell to the charms and phantasms invoked by the fey of the land, and were sent back, without fulfilling their orders three time, with each time the wrath of their master growing. Finally, he trapped those who returned in the crypts of his castle, starving and tormenting them, slowly turning the last few of them into animalistic monstrosities whose only instinct was lashing against the forest and its denizens.

Lumberhacks roam the forests, alone or in small groups, trying to chop particularly old or beautiful living trees, those that move on their own, or those that are splashed with blood. They also lash at anyone and anything that interferes with their duties.