Crimson Death

Seemingly made of red vapor, the crimson mist is an outstanding stealth hunter. The crimson death is vaguely humanoid in appearance, with arms, torso and a head being discernible. The creature has no distinct facial features, other than 2 glowing points where eyes should be.

Crimson Death (CR 10)

Medium Aberration
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Initiative: +8
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet; Perception +29

Speed: 60 feet (30 feet after feeding)
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 24, touch 14, flat-footed 20 (+4 Dex, +10 natural)
Hit Points: 127 (17d8+51)
Saving Throws: Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +15
Damage Reduction: 5/magic and silver
Spell Resistance: 21

Offense

Melee: 2 tentacles +17 (1d6 plus engulf)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: Engulf (DC 18, 1d6 plus 1d6 Con)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
11 (+0)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	17 (+3)	16 (+3)	16 (+3)

Base Attack Bonus: +12
CMB +16
CMD 26

Feats: Agile Maneuvers, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus (Perception), Skill Focus (Stealth), Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (tentacles)

Skills: Climb +20, Escape Artist +24, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +23, Perception +29, Stealth +30 (+42 in mist or fog), Survival +23, Swim +20

• Racial Modifiers: +12 Stealth in mist or fog

Languages: Aklo (can't speak)

Special Qualities: susceptibility

Special Abilities

Engulf (Ex)

When a crimson death strikes a target with one of its tentacles, it can immediately make an engulf attack, including moving into the opponent's square. Targeted creatures can make attacks of opportunity against the crimson death, but if they do so, they are not entitled to a saving throw against the engulf attack. Those who do not attempt attacks of opportunity can attempt a Reflex (DC 18) save to avoid being engulfed-on a success, they are pushed back or aside (target's choice) as the crimson death moves forward. Engulfed opponents gain the pinned condition, are in danger of suffocating, are trapped within the crimson death's body until they are no longer pinned, and suffer 1d6 points of damage and 1d6 points of Constitution damage every round. A victim reduced to 0 Constitution dies. The save DC is Strength-based.

Susceptibility (Ex)

After draining its victim's Constitution, the crimson death, sated from its feeding, moves at half its normal speed, loses its racial bonus to Stealth checks (because it flushes crimson, hence the name), and suffers a -4 circumstance penalty to AC. These effects last for 1 hour.

Ecology

Environment: Marshes or Underground
Organization: solitary
Treasure: incidental


A crimson death attacks from ambush, usually hiding in naturally occurring fog and waiting for potential prey to wander close. Often times, a crimson death uses sound (imitating cries for help, for example) in an attempt to lure a victim into its grasp.

A crimson death can understand Aklo, although it does not speak.

Credit Originally appearing in Rappan Athuk Reloaded (© Necromancer Games, 2006)