3e SRD:Ghost

This material is published under the OGL 1.0a.

Ghost

"Ghost" is a template that can be added to any aberration, animal, beast, dragon, giant, humanoid, magical beast, monstrous humanoid, or shapechanger. The creature (referred to hereafter as the "base creature") must have a Charisma score of at least 8. The creature’s type changes to "undead." It otherwise uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Hit Dice: Increase to d12.

Speed: Ghosts have a fly speed of 30 feet, unless the base creature has a higher fly speed, with perfect maneuverability.

AC: Natural armor is the same as the base creature but applies only to ethereal encounters. When the ghost manifests (see below) its natural armor value is +0, but it gains a deflection bonus equal to its Charisma modifier or +1, whichever is higher.

Attacks: The ghost retains all the attacks of the base creature, although those relying on physical contact do not affect nonethereal creatures.

Damage: Against ethereal creatures, a ghost uses the base creature’s damage ratings. Against nonethereal creatures, the ghost usually cannot deal physical damage at all but can use its special attacks, if any, when it manifests (see below).

Special Attacks: The ghost retains all the special attacks of the base creature, although those relying on physical contact do not affect nonethereal creatures. The ghost also gains a manifestation ability plus 1d3 other special attacks described below. Saves have a DC of 10 + 1/2 ghost’s HD + ghost’s Charisma modifier unless noted otherwise.

Manifestation (Su): All ghosts have this ability. As ethereal creatures, they cannot affect or be affected by anything in the material world. When they manifest, ghosts become visible but remain incorporeal. However, a manifested ghost can strike with its touch attack or a ghost touch weapon. A manifested ghost remains on the Ethereal Plane but can be attacked by opponents on both the Material and Ethereal planes. When a spellcasting ghost is on the Ethereal Plane, its spells cannot affect targets on the Material Plane, but they work normally against ethereal targets. When a spellcasting ghost manifests, its spells continue to affect ethereal targets and can affect targets on the Material Plane normally unless the spells rely on touch. A manifested ghost’s touch spells don’t work on material targets.

Corrupting Touch (Su): A ghost that hits a living target with its incorporeal attack deals 1d4 points of damage. Against ethereal opponents, it adds its Strength modifier to attack and damage rolls. Against material opponents, it adds its Dexterity modifier to attack rolls only.

Frightful Moan (Su): The ghost can moan as a standard action. All living creatures within a 30-foot spread must succeed at a Will save or become panicked for 2d4 rounds. This is a sonic, necromantic, mind-affecting fear effect. A creature that successfully saves against the moan cannot be affected by the same ghost’s moan for one day.

Horrific Appearance (Su): Any living creature within 60 feet that views the ghost must succeed at a Fortitude save or immediately suffer 1d4 points of permanent Strength, 1d4 points of permanent Dexterity, and 1d4 points of permanent Constitution drain. A creature that successfully saves against this effect cannot be affected by the same ghost’s horrific appearance for one day.

Corrupting Gaze (Su): The ghost can blast living beings with a glance, at a range of up to 30 feet. Creatures that meet the ghost’s gaze must succeed at a Fortitude save or suffer 2d10 points of damage and 1d4 points of permanent Charisma drain.

Malevolence (Su): Once per round, an ethereal ghost can merge its body with a creature on the Material Plane. This ability is similar to magic jar as cast by a 10th-level sorcerer (or the ghost’s character level, whichever is higher), except that it does not require a receptacle. If the attack succeeds, the ghost’s body vanishes into the opponent’s body. The target can resist the attack with a successful Will save (DC 15 + ghost’s Charisma modifier). A creature that successfully saves is immune to that ghost’s malevolence for one day.

Telekinesis (Su): The ghost can use telekinesis once per round as a free action, as cast by a sorcerer whose level equals the ghost’s HD or 12, whichever is higher.

Special Qualities: A ghost has all the special qualities of the base creature and those listed below, and gains the undead type and incorporeal subtype.

Rejuvenation (Su): In most cases, it’s difficult to destroy a ghost through simple combat: The "destroyed" spirit will often restore itself in 2d4 days. Even the most powerful spells are often only temporary solutions. A ghost that would otherwise be destroyed returns to its old haunts with a successful level check (1d20 + ghost’s level or HD) against DC 16. As a rule, the only way to get rid of a ghost for sure is to determine the reason for its existence and set right whatever prevents it from resting in peace. The exact means varies with each spirit and may require a good deal of research.

Turn Resistance (Ex): A ghost has +4 turn resistance.

Base Saves: Same as the base creature

Abilities: Same as the base creature, except that the ghost has no Constitution score, and its Charisma score increases by +4.

Skills: Ghosts receive a +8 racial bonus to Hide, Listen, Search, and Spot checks. Otherwise same as the base creature.

Feats: Same as the base creature

Climate/Terrain: Any land and underground

Organization: Solitary, gang (2-4), or mob (7-12)

Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2

Treasure: None

Alignment: Any

Advancement: Same as the base creature

Ghostly Equipment

When a ghost forms, all its equipment and carried items usually become ethereal along with it. In addition, the ghost retains 2d4 items that it particularly valued in life (provided they are not in another creature’s possession). The equipment works normally on the Ethereal Plane but passes harmlessly through material objects or creatures. A weapon of +1 or better enchantment, however, can harm material creatures when the ghost manifests, and enchanted weapons can harm the ghost.

The original material items remain behind, just as the ghost’s physical remains do. If another creature seizes the original, the ethereal copy fades away. This invariably angers the ghost, who stops at nothing to return the item to its original resting place.

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