|
Chu-uNote: The chu-u is described in cursory form as a type of ghost on p. 165 of 3e OA. The conversion below, with its "infinite arms", may prove more interesting. Medium Fey (Greater Spirit) Climate/Terrain: Any Subterranean The chuu is a greater spirit. It seeks benevolent travelers who will testify on its behalf, so that it may be released from its tragic existence. It is also known as the “legless ghost.'' From the waist up, the chuu resembles an elderly human. This humanlike portion of the chuu rests in a pool of shimmering mist about 5 feet in diameter. The color of the pool continually shifts from red to white to black. The visage of the chuu may be male or female, but its face is always lined with wrinkles and it always has a mournful frown. Its flesh is greenish, and its eyes are milky slits. It wears red garments and a crown of thistles and mint. It moves by dragging itself along the ground with its hands, a process requiring great effort that is always accompanied by wails of agony. The chuu speaks all the languages it knew in its former life. CombatThe chuu can cast ghost light once per round at an unlimited range. It usually uses this ability to create a man shaped figure to beckon travelers. If the travelers respond (and don't panic), the ghostly figure leads them to the chuu. When it encounters travelers, a chuu immediately begins to plead for help, pointing out its pathetic condition and begging for them to hear its tale describing how it came to this sorry state. If the travelers decline to listen, the angry chuu vows vengeance, assumes gaseous form, then is instantly sucked away through a crack in the earth or similar opening. If travelers agree to listen, the chuu relates the story of its life as a human. The story is always sad and is told in great detail, beginning with the bad decisions the chuu made as a child, continuing through its sorrowful experiences as an adult, and ending with the circumstances of its death, usually the result of cowardice or ineptitude. The story lasts for 28 (2d4) hours. After the first hour, all those listening to the chuu must make a successful Will Save against DC 16, or they become so overwhelmed with sympathy for the chuu that their despair hinders their actions for the next 24 hours, causing them to suffer a 1 penalty to their attack bonus. If the listener (or listeners) interrupts the chuu's story before it finishes, it vows vengeance and disappears as described above. If the chuu finishes its story it then asks the listeners to testify on its behalf to the King Judge (see below). If they agree, the chuu leads them to the spirit court. (Scholars disagree as to whether this is an actual journey or a spirit induced dream.) If they refuse, it vows vengeance and disappears. Likewise, if the listeners attack the chuu at any point, it assumes gaseous form and disappears. Misty Assault (Su): A wronged chuu will exact its vengeance sometime in the distant future. It attacks when its victims least expect it, usually when they are asleep. The chuu has the ability to turn its arms to mist and stretch them for an unlimited distance. Each misty arm snakes along the ground, through cracks and crevasses, under doors and windows, until it unerringly finds it mark. Since the chuu has two arms, it can attack two victims at once---even if the victims are at opposite ends of the world. The chuu makes a normal attack roll for its misty assault; if successful, it chokes and strangles its victim, inflicting 14 hit points of damage per round. In each subsequent round, the choking hand continues to inflict 14 hit points of damage. At this point, no additional attack rolls are necessary; the victim cannot wrench the ghostly hand from his neck. The hand has an AC of 22; if it receives at least 10 hp of damage (from +1 weapons or better) or is magically negated (by anti-magic field or a similar spell), it releases its victim and withdraws. Wary victims may manage to prevent the chuu's attack. If a victim to be visits a shukenja, who performs a successful purification ritual for this purpose, the chuu will not exact its revenge. Gaseous Form (Su): As a standard action, a chu-u can assume gaseous form at will, as the spell cast by a 5th-level Sorcerer, but can remain gaseous indefinitely and has a fly speed of 20 feet with perfect maneuverability. Spell-like abilities: The Chu-u can cast ghost light at will Sympathetic Story (Ex): All those listening to the chuu relate it’s life story must make a successful Will Save against DC 16, or they become so overwhelmed with sympathy for the chuu that their despair hinders their actions for the next 24 hours, causing them to suffer a 1 penalty to their attack bonus. Habitat/SocietyChuu roam the shores of the River of the Tree Routhes. They were neither virtuous enough to pass the judges' examinations nor malevolent enough to merit additional sentencing. If a chuu can convince a traveler to testify, the King Judge listens, then sends the traveler on his way. The chuu will not approach that traveler again. The traveler may not learn the out come of his testimony, since the King Judge often takes up to 100 years to decide a chuu's fate. EcologyIf the tears of a chuu are collected in an opaque flask, they may be used
as oil of etherealness. Conversion Notes: Gaseous Form: I chose to give the Chu-u gaseous form like a Vampire, to match the current rules, rather than a “turn to mist” ability… it seemed a bit redundant. Sympathetic Story: Just gave it a name really, and changed the game mechanics to 3e. * Converted by Will Ehgoetz from Oriental Adventures 1e (p.252), and the Kara-Tur Monstrous Compendium Appendix 2e (Feedback Welcome!) |