Encounters: Anauroch - The Sword - Oases (Night)
Ghast (CR 3)
Medium Undead
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Initiative: +3 (Dex); Senses: darkvision 60 ft. and Spot +8
Languages: usually Common
AC: 17 (+3 Dex, +4 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 14
Hit Dice: 4d12+3 (29 hp)
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +6
Speed: 30 ft.
Space: 5 ft./5 ft.
Base Attack +2; Grapple +5
Attack: Bite +5 melee
Full Attack: Bite +5 melee and 2 claws +3 melee
Damage: Bite 1d8+1 and paralysis; claw 1d4+1 and paralysis
Special Attacks: Stench, paralysis, ghoul fever
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 17, Con -, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 16
Special Qualities: Undead, +2 turn resistance
Feats: Multiattack; Toughness
Skills: Balance +7, Climb +9, Hide +8, Jump +9, Move Silently +8, Search +8, and Spot +8
Advancement: 5-6 HD (Medium-size)
Climate/Terrain: Any land and underground
Organization: Solitary, gang (2-4), or pack (2-4 plus 7-12 ghouls)
Treasure: Standard
Source: Monster Manual
Aura of Pain (Su): The famine spirit radiates a continuous symbol of pain effect (save DC 28) as a 60-foot-radius emanation. A creature that fails its save is affected while within the area and for 10 minutes after leaving it. A successful save makes a creature immune to that famine spirit's aura pain for 24 hours.
Vorpal Bite (Ex): The bite of a famine spirit severs the head of a Large or smaller opponent on a critical hit.
Create Spawn (Su): A famine spirit rarely leaves corpses in its wake, but sometimes it is forced to flee and leave slain opponents behind. Each of these corpses rises in 1d3 days; a famine spirit, unless a protection from evil spell is cast upon it before that time.
Ethereal Jaunt (Su): Three times per day, a famine spirit can produce an ethereal jaunt effect (caster level 20th). It uses this ability primarily to enter storehouses or to deal with ethereal interlopers.
See Invisibility (Su): A famine spirit can see invisible objects and beings as if under the effect of a see invisibility spell. This ability is always active.
Famine spirits ignore most other living things, turning on them only if they get in the way of its feasting, or if there is nothing else to consume. It fights primarily with its jaws, attempting to bite off the heads of any opponents.
Aura of Pain (Su): The famine spirit radiates a continuous symbol of pain effect (save DC 28) as a 60-foot-radius emanation. A creature that fails its save is affected while within the area and for 10 minutes after leaving it. A successful save makes a creature immune to that famine spirit's aura pain for 24 hours.
Vorpal Bite (Ex): The bite of a famine spirit severs the head of a Large or smaller opponent on a critical hit.
Create Spawn (Su): A famine spirit rarely leaves corpses in its wake, but sometimes it is forced to flee and leave slain opponents behind. Each of these corpses rises in 1d3 days; a famine spirit, unless a protection from evil spell is cast upon it before that time.
Ethereal Jaunt (Su): Three times per day, a famine spirit can produce an ethereal jaunt effect (caster level 20th). It uses this ability primarily to enter storehouses or to deal with ethereal interlopers.
See Invisibility (Su): A famine spirit can see invisible objects and beings as if under the effect of a see invisibility spell. This ability is always active.
Famine spirits ignore most other living things, turning on them only if they get in the way of its feasting, or if there is nothing else to consume. It fights primarily with its jaws, attempting to bite off the heads of any opponents.
Although these creatures look just like their lesser kin, ghouls, they are far more deadly and cunning.
That ghasts were once people is obvious to those with the courage to look upon them. Although they still appear more or less humanoid, their mottled, decaying flesh is drawn tight across clearly visible bones. The transformation from living beings into fell things of the night has warped their minds, making them cunning and feral. Their eyes burn like hot coals in their sunken sockets.
Ghasts speak the languages they spoke in life (usually Common).