View source for Umbrax, Liber Demonica (3.5e Monster)

__NOTOC__
{{author
|author_name=Sulacu
|contributors=ThunderGod Cid
|date_created=February 8, 2011
|status=Complete
}}

{{3.5e Monster Classic
|monster=Umbrax
|size=[[SRD:Medium Size|Medium]] |type=Outsider |typelink=Variant Outsider (3.5e Type) |subtypes=Chaotic, Evil, Extraplanar, Incorporeal
|hd=11d8+77 |hp=127
|init=+10
|speed=[[SRD:Fly|Fly]] 50 ft. (perfect)
|ac=23 (+6 [[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]], +7 [[SRD:Deflection Bonus|deflection]]) |touch=23 |flat=17
|bab=+11 |grapple=—
|at=[[SRD:Incorporeal Subtype|Incorporeal]] [[SRD:Touch Attack|touch]] +18 melee ([[#Lifedrain|lifedrain]])
|full_at=2 [[SRD:Incorporeal Subtype|incorporeal]] [[SRD:Touch Attack|touches]] +18 melee ([[#Lifedrain|lifedrain]])
|space=5 ft. |reach=5 ft.
|sa=[[#Lifedrain|Lifedrain]], [[#Natural Invisibility|natural invisibility]], [[#Negative Essense|negative essence]], [[#Possession|possession]], [[#Shadow's Embrace|shadow's embrace]], [[#Spell-Like Abilities|spell-like abilities]]
|sq=Immunity to [[SRD:Acid Effect|acid]], [[SRD:Electricity Effect|electricity]], [[SRD:Fire Effect|fire]] and [[SRD:Death Effect|death effects]], [[SRD:Incorporeal Subtype|incorporeal]] traits, resistance to [[SRD:Cold Effect|cold]] 10, [[#See in Darkness|see in darkness]], [[SRD:Spell Resistance|spell resistance]] 21, [[SRD:Telepathy|telepathy]] out to 100 ft.
|fort=+11 |ref=+13 |will=+9
|str=— |dex=22 |con=16 |int=16 |wis=13 |cha=25
|skills=[[SRD:Bluff Skill|Bluff]] +22, [[SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration]] +18, [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]] +26, [[SRD:Hide Skill|Hide]] +14, [[SRD:Intimidate Skill|Intimidate]] +22, [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (local, religion) +18, [[SRD:Listen Skill|Listen]] +18, [[SRD:Search Skill|Search]] +18, [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]] +16, [[SRD:Spot Skill|Spot]] +18, [[SRD:Tumble Skill|Tumble]] +21
|feats=[[SRD:Alertness|Alertness]], [[Combat Expertise, MS Variant (3.5e Feat)|Combat Expertise]] (variant)<sup>B</sup>, [[SRD:Dodge|Dodge]], [[SRD:Improved Initiative|Improved Initiative]], [[SRD:Mobility|Mobility]], [[SRD:Power Attack|Power Attack]]<sup>B</sup>, [[SRD:Spring Attack|Spring Attack]], [[SRD:Weapon Finesse|Weapon Finesse]]<sup>B</sup>
|env=The Abyss
|org=Solitary or haunt (2-5)
|cr=11
|treas=None
|align=Always [[SRD:Chaotic Evil|chaotic evil]]
|adv=—
|la=—
}}

''An indistinct presence, more of a deathly whisper than an actual physical form, seems to suction all the warmth from your body. These invisible entities endeavour to leave your physical forms destitute of life and then proceed to ambulate their corrupt essences within your soulless remains.''

Occasionally, when incorporeal [[SRD:Undead Type|undead]] run afoul of the abyss, the chaotic energies warp and transform them into umbraxi. Although a rare occurrence in general, this transformation happens most readily with [[SRD:Greater Shadow|greater shadows]] that somehow end up incarcerated upon abyssal layers that are proximate to the Dreaming Gulf. Umbraxi are weightless and have no discernible visible form, their immaterial presence only betrayed by an unusually thick, writhing shadow cast upon the ground below its presumed location.

=== Combat ===

An umbrax loves to attack a party of adventurers by means by possessing one of them and urging the others to attack their friend to expel it. When no such opportunity presents itself, it mercilessly lashes out with its energy draining natural attacks and its spells.

An umbrax gains bonus hit points from its Charisma modifier, since it does not have a Constitution score.

'''{{Anchor|Lifedrain}} ([[SRD:Supernatural Ability|Su]]):''' An umbrax's touch attack forces the target to make a Fortitude save (DC 22) or incur 11 [[SRD:Negative Level|negative levels]] as its incorporeal claws rend the creature's very soul. This save DC is Charisma-based. Each time an umbrax successfully damages a creature in such a way, it heals 5 points of damage to itself for every negative level bestowed (up to its maximum). An umbrax cannot use this ability while possessing a body.

Lastly, the umbrax's touch also negates magical effects, replicating the effects of a targeted ''[[SRD:Greater Dispel Magic|greater dispel magic]]'' (with the umbrax's attack roll taking the place of the caster level check).

'''{{Anchor|Natural Invisibility}} ([[SRD:Supernatural Ability|Su]]):''' This ability is constant, allowing an umbrax to remain invisible even when attacking. this ability is inherent and not subject to the ''[[SRD:Invisibility Purge|invisibility purge]]'' spell. Any other spells that permit the detection of invisible creatures or force them to become visible function normally, revealing the umbrax as a dark, twisted shadow. 

'''{{Anchor|Negative Essence}} ([[SRD:Extraordinary Ability|Ex]]):''' An umbrax still possesses strong residual traits from its earlier time as an [[SRD:Undead Type|undead]]. It treats [[SRD:Cure Light Wounds|cure]] and [[SRD:Inflict Light Wounds|inflict]] spells as an undead does. It can also still be [[SRD:Turn or Rebuke Undead|turned or rebuked]] (but not destroyed or commanded) as if it were an undead, albeit with a [[SRD:Turn Resistance|turn resistance]] of +10 (half its [[SRD:Spell Resistance|spell resistance]] rounded down).

'''{{Anchor|Possession}} ([[SRD:Supernatural Ability|Su]]):''' An umbrax is able to possess a creature by entering its space and successfully attaching its shadow to the creature's form (a standard action). To possess a still living creature, the umbrax must succeed on a successful melee [[SRD:Touch Attack|melee touch attack]] and enter the creature's space. A successful DC 22 [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fortitude]] saving throw expels the umbrax from the creature's body before it can take root, returning it to the square it occupied prior to making the possession attempt. If that saving throw fails, the umbrax's essence enters the creature's body, possessing it.  

An umbrax is also able to possess creatures that are already [[SRD:Dead|dead]] as a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]], simply by entering a square occupied by a corpse, instantly possessing it. Whether the recipient is alive or dead, an umbrax can only possess creatures of the following types; [[SRD:Animal Type|animal]], [[SRD:Humanoid Type|humanoid]], [[SRD:Magical Beast Type|magical beast]], [[SRD:Monstrous Humanoid Type|monstrous humanoid]] and [[SRD:Vermin Type|vermin]]. The body cannot be headless or destroyed beyond recognition, and an umbrax cannot possess a creature living or dead in the area of a ''[[SRD:Magic Circle against Chaos|magic circle against chaos]]'', ''[[SRD:Magic Circle against Evil|magic circle against evil]]'', ''[[SRD:Hallow|hallow]]'' spell or other similar effect. In the area of a ''[[SRD:Consecrate|consecrate]]'' spell, the bonuses to [[SRD:Turn or Rebuke Undead|turning]] also apply to saves made against possession. In case of still living creatures, an umbrax cannot possess a creature protected by a ''[[SRD:Death Ward|death ward]]''.

Regardless of the host's state before being possessed, a creature possessed by an umbrax becomes more potent than a typical victim of demonic possession, gaining all the abilities of a [[Possessed (3.5e NPC Class)|Possessed NPC class]] (but not additional HD, attack bonuses, saves) or other benefits of leveling) of a level equal to the host's CR (maximum 5). The cost of this temporary power, however, is the toll the possession exerts on the host's health. During each round of possession, at the beginning of the umbrax's turn, the host incurs one [[SRD:Negative Level|negative level]]. As long as the umbrax possesses the creature, the penalties from incurred negative levels are suppressed; a possessed creature does not experience the loss of [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]] or the cumulative penalties to attack rolls, saves and checks. When the amount of negative levels incurred exceeds the host's total of [[SRD:Hit Dice|hit dice]] and [[SRD:Class Level|class levels]], it still immediately dies, and becomes a corpse under the umbrax' possession.

When an umbrax-possessed body is already dead from the start, it rises to its feet on the umbrax's next action. The fiendish essence of the umbrax restores the dead body to its full [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]]; old wounds simply vanish, and burns from magic or the effects from drain, as well as conditions that might have once affected the host are removed. An umbrax can inhabit such a body indefinitely, and the body doesn't age while possessed. If the possessed body is reduced to -10 [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]], the umbrax is forced out of the body and into an adjacent square (or the nearest available space). Unless the body is beheaded or completely destroyed, an umbrax can attempt to possess it again on its next turn.

An umbrax-possessed body gains the benefits of its [[SRD:Natural Armor|natural armor]] or any armor it wears (if it has both, halve the smaller bonus), but not the umbrax's [[SRD:Deflection Bonus|deflection bonus]] to [[SRD:Armor Class|AC]]. The umbrax adopts the statistics of the creature it is possessing but gains none of its [[SRD:Extraordinary Ability|extraordinary]], [[SRD:Supernatural Ability|supernatural]] or [[SRD:Spell-Like Ability|spell-like]] [[SRD:Special Attacks and Special Qualities (Creature Statistic)|abilities]], nor can it use any of the possessed creature's [[SRD:Intelligence|intelligence]]-, [[SRD:Wisdom|Wisdom]]- or [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]]-based skills. Due to the constant energy drain effect of an umbrax's possesion, a possessed corpse gains effective [[SRD:Fast Healing|fast healing]] 5.

A ''[[SRD:Dismissal|dismissal]]'', ''[[SRD:Dispel Chaos|dispel chaos]]'', or ''[[SRD:Dispel Evil|dispel evil]]'' spell cast on the possessed body immediately drives the umbrax from the body into an adjacent square (or the nearest available space) and dazes the umbrax for 1 round (no save). Without the umbrax to inhabit it, the body lifelessly collapses to the ground if already dead, or becomes [[SRD:Stunned|stunned]] for 1 round if still alive.

'''{{Anchor|See in Darkness}} ([[SRD:Supernatural Ability|Su]]):''' An umbrax can see perfectly in darkness of any kind, even that created by a [[SRD:Deeper Darkness|deeper darkness]] spell.

'''{{Anchor|Shadow's Embrace}} ([[SRD:Supernatural Ability|Su]]):''' Once per day as a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]], an umbrax in its natural form can impart a gift to a mortal creature by touch. A constant [[SRD:Blur|blurring]] effect grips the creature, giving attacks against it a 20 % miss chance. Furthermore, it gains a +5 profane bonus to [[SRD:Saving Throw|saving throws]] against [[SRD:Death Effect|death effects]] as well as the ability to see in darkness (see above). The effect lasts for 24 hours or until the target creature is affected by a [[SRD:Dispel Evil|dispel evil]] spell. Until this point, the affected creature radiates evil as if his alignment were [[SRD:Neutral Evil|evil]]. As such, during this time, the creature's natural attacks and attacks with any weapons it wields are treated as [[SRD:Neutral Evil|evil]]-aligned for the purpose of bypassing [[SRD:Damage Reduction|damage reduction]]. As long as the gift persists, the gifted character is wreathed in smoky strands of shadowy force.

The shadow's embrace also creates an unwholesome bond between the character and the umbrax. As long as the embrace persists, the umbrax can monitor the character's condition and location as if it had placed a ''[[SRD:Status|status]]'' spell on that character. If the creature dies before the bond dissolves, the umbrax can attempt to possess its body as a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]] despite any physical distance between the two and as long as the body and the umbrax are on the same plane. If the possession succeeds, the umbrax is immediately whisked to the creature's position.

Accepting an umbrax's embrace is an evil act and could have repercussions on the recipient's [[SRD:Alignment|alignment]]. A creature can attempt to resist gaining the powers from the embrace with a DC 22 [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]] save. The save DC is [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]]-based.

'''[[SRD:Spell-Like Ability|{{Anchor|Spell-Like Abilities}}]]:''' At will
''[[SRD:Darkness|darkness]]'', ''[[SRD:Desecrate|desecrate]]'', ''[[SRD:Shadow Evocation|shadow evocation]]''; 3/day—''[[SRD:Dispel Good|dispel good]]'', ''[[SRD:Mass Inflict Moderate Wounds|mass inflict moderate wounds]]''; [[SRD:Caster Level|Caster level]] 11th. Save DCs are [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]]-based.

'''Skills:''' An umbrax gains a +8 racial bonus on [[SRD:Hide Skill|Hide]] checks that grows to +16 in an area of shadowy illumination.

=== For Player Characters ===

A [[SRD:Chaotic Evil|chaotic evil]]-aligned spellcaster that has prior come in contact with an umbrax or has studied the umbraxi from a reliable source of information, such as one of the black scrolls of Ahm, may attempt to summon an umbrax with a ''[[SRD:Summon Monster IX|summon monster IX]]'' spell. Summoning an umbrax gives the spell the [[SRD:Chaotic Effect|Chaotic]] and [[SRD:Evil Effect|Evil]] descriptors. A summoned umbrax is unable to perform its [[#Shadow's Embrace|shadow's embrace]] ability.

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{{Liber Demonica Breadcrumb}}<br>
{{3.5e Monsters Breadcrumb}}
[[Category:3.5e]]
[[Category:User]]
[[Category:Monster]]
[[Category:Liber Demonica]]

{{Navboxes}}
Alignment	Always chaotic evil +
Author	Sulacu +
Challenge Rating	11 +
Environment	The Abyss +
Identifier	3.5e Monster +
Level Adjustment	— +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Size	Medium +
Subtype	Chaotic +, Evil +, Extraplanar + and Incorporeal +
Title	Umbrax, Liber Demonica +
Type	Outsider +