Keening Spirit

A keening spirit is a kind of ghost, created specifically from the spirit of an evil female elf of any elf subtype. Known for its constant weeping and groaning, the creature is sometimes referred to as a groaning spirit. It shares most of the characteristics of the ghost template except special attacks and special qualities; those it receives are detailed below.

Special Attacks: All keening spirits retain the special attacks they had in life and gain the following ones.

Destructive Touch (Su): A keening spirit that hits a living target with its incorporeal touch attack deals 1d8 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.

Fear Aura (Su): A keening spirit is shrouded in a dreadful aura of death and evil. Any creature within a 60- foot radius that looks at it must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 keening spirit's HD + keening spirit's Charisma modifier) or be affected as though by a fear spell cast by a sorcerer of the keening spirit's character level.

Keening (Su). A keening spirit's most dreaded weapon is its wail or keen. This ability functions like the wail of the banshee spell, but it affects any number of creatures within a 30-foot spread centered on the keening spirit. A successful Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 keening spirit's HD + keening spirit's Charisma modifier) negates the effect. A keening spirit can use this ability only once per day.

Spells: A keening spirit can cast any spells it could while alive. A drow keening spirit with spellcasting ability (whether arcane or divine) is commonly known as a kiaranshee, after the drow goddess of the undead, Kiaransalee.

Special Qualities: All keening spirits retain the special qualities they had in life and gain the following ones.

Manifestation (Su): This ability works as detailed in the ghost template.

Rejuvenation (Su): This ability functions as detailed in the ghost template.

Spell Resistance (Ex): A keening spirit has SR equal to 1 its class level.

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

Undead Traits: A keening spirit is immune to mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, necromantic effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless it also works on objects. It is not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, ability drain, energy drain, or death from massive damage. A keening spirit cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if it is willing. The creature has darkvision (60-foot range).

Sample Keening Spirit: Keening Spirit (Sample).


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