View source for Dead Hand (3.5e Monster)

=== Combat ===

A dead hand is an ambush predator.  Usually someone will move too close to an arm, or attack one, provoking its wrath.  It will not surface until its dead hands have grappled at least one creature, in which it rises in the center of its arm cluster and starts moving towards its victim.  Once it is by a grappled opponent (in a dead hand or otherwise) it will make a bite attack and swallow them, then escape underground to digest, repeating with the next victim.  If a dead hand is dug up before it finishes eating, it will rise and defend itself.

'''Augmented Critical {{Ex}}:'''  The bite attack of a dead hand has a 20/x3 critical.

'''Aura of Terror {{Su}}:'''  When a dead hand reveals its main body, attacks, or performs a hostile action, all creatures within 60 feet must make a DC 18 [[Will]] save or be [[SRD:Paralysis|paralyzed]] for 1 round.  A creature which succeeds on the saving throw is immune for 24 hours.  This is a mind-affecting fear effect, and the saving throw is [[Charisma]] based.

'''Dead Hands {{Ex}}:'''  A dead hand creature has a number of titular "dead hands" equal to half its HD.  Dead hands can be manifested anywhere in a 60 foot radius, taking up a 5 foot square and threatening out to 5 feet as if it were a medium creature.  Though the dead hands cannot attack directly, they can react to attacks of opportunity and make grapple attempts.  The dead hand creature is not considered grappled when grappling with its dead hands, and it can grapple one creature per hand.

The dead hand creature can retract and extend its dead hands as a free action only on its turn (thus moving their position).  The dead hands themselves are invincible, but they can be suppressed.  If the dead hand takes 20 damage in a single round, it retracts and cannot be placed back out for 1d4 rounds.  It also releases any creature that dead hand was currently grappling.

'''Improved Grab {{Ex}}:'''  To use this ability, a dead hand must hit with a talon or dead hand attack. It can then attempt to start a [[SRD:Grapple|grapple]] as a [[SRD:Free Actions|free action]] without provoking an [[SRD:Attacks of Opportunity|attack of opportunity]].

'''Swallow Whole {{Ex}}:'''  The dead hand can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of Large or smaller (as its jaw unhinges by a great amount) by making a successful bite attack.  It can then attempt a [[SRD:Grapple|grapple check]] as a [[SRD:Free Actions|free action]] without provoking an [[SRD:Attacks of Opportunity|attack of opportunity]].  Once inside, the opponent takes 1d6+8 points of crushing damage plus 1d6+8 points of negative energy damage per round from the dead hand's unholy extradimensional gullet.  A swallowed creature can cut its way out by dealing 20 points of damage to the dead hand's digestive tract (AC 16).  Once a creature exists, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. The dead hand’s gullet can hold 1 Large, 2 Medium, 16 Small, 32 Tiny, 128 Diminutive, or 512 Fine or smaller creatures.  


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[[Category:3.5e]]
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Alignment	Always Evil +
Author	Eiji-kun +
Challenge Rating	6 +
Environment	Graveyards +
Identifier	3.5e Monster +
Level Adjustment	— +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Size	Medium +
Subtype	Earth +
Title	Dead Hand +
Type	Undead +