Creature Catalog - Preview Creature
Wraith (Oerth), Soul Beckoner
Climate/Terrain: Any/Subterranean
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Life energy
Intelligence: High (13-14)
Treasure: E
Alignment: Neutral evil
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: 2
Movement: 6
Hit Dice: Varies (4+)
THAC0: Varies
No. of Attacks: 2
Damage/Attack: 1-6/1-6
Special Attacks: Eerie whisper
Special Defenses: +1 or better to hit
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: M (6’ tall)
Morale: Champion (15-16)
XP Value: Varies
Soul beckoners resemble shadows more than wraiths, being 90% undetectable unless seen in bright light. However, as soul beckoners drain energy levels, they take on the features of their victims, coming to resemble them in form.
Combat: When a victim is in range (see below), a soul beckoner lures him with whispers. Characters hearing the whispers must roll a successful saving throw vs. spell (Wisdom bonuses apply} or be drawn toward the creature. A successful saving throw negates the whisper and results in the character hearing an eerie wailing sound. The character must then roll another successful saving throw vs. spell or flee in terror for 1d4+1 rounds. Creatures drawn to a soul beckoner are attacked by the monster with a +4 bonus to its attack roll, but a successful hit breaks the enchantment of the whisper. Otherwise, victims are allowed a saving throw every round to escape the creature’s enchantment with a cumulative bonus of +2 per round. A silence spell or a character incapable of hearing (i.e., deaf, ear plugs, etc.) prevents the effects of both the whisper and the wail.
This creature physically attacks with two daws, causing 1d6 points of damage each and also draining one energy level with each successful attack. When first encountered, a soul beckoner has 4 Hit Dice. However, for each energy level that it drains, it becomes 1 Hit Die stronger, gaining the extra hit points and THAC0 appropriate to its new Hit Dice. Therefore, in one round the monster is capable of draining up to two energy levels and gaining 2 HD and the extra hit points. A soul beckoner is turned by priests as an undead according to its current Hit Dice.
Habitat/Society: The solitary soul beckoner is normally found underground, where it waits for prey to come within 240 feet.
Ecology: The soul beckoner is simply a form of wraith that is more in tune with its previous living form, and thus has a stronger tie to the Prime Material plane than usual.
Originally appeared in UK7 - Dark Clouds Gather (1985). This is the Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Appendix version.