Spellstitched
Spellstitched creatures are undead creatures that have been powerfully enhanced and fortified by arcane means. The undead gain the ability to cast spells, can resist being turned, and become more difficult to attack in melee. The process benefits undead with intelligence far more than it helps those that are mindless, since intelligent undead can discharge their spells tactically.
The outward sign that an undead creature has been spellstitched is its rune-covered body. The runes are carved into the bones of skeletal undead or tattooed on the rotting flesh of other corporeal undead. These runes may nor be immediately noticeable to an observer, appearing to be cracks in bones or wrinkles in the skin.
Spellstitched creatures can be created only by a wizard or sorcerer of sufficient level to cast the spells to be imbued in the undead's body The process for creating a spellstitched creature requires the expenditure of 1,000 gp for carving or tattooing materials as well as 500 XP for every point of Wisdom that the undead creature possesses. Undead that are spellcasters can spellstitch themselves.
Creating A Spellstitched Creature
"Spellstitched" is a template that can be added to any corporeal undead (referred to hereafter as the base creature). The template uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Special Attacks: A spellstitched creature retains all the special attacks of the base creature and gains the following special attack.
Spell-like Abilities: A spellstitched creature with a Wisdom score of 10 or higher ran be imbued with spell-like abilities. All spells selected must be from the schools of Conjuration, Evocation, or Necromancy. These abilities are used as if the spells were cast by a sorcerer of the same level as the number of Hit Dice the spellstitched creature possesses.
| Wisdom | Example Undead | Spells Known | Times/Day |
| 10 | Skeleton, zombie | 2 1st-level | 4 |
| 11-12 | Bodak | plus 2 2nd-level | 4/4 |
| 13-14 | Ghast, ghoul, wight | plus 2 3rd-level | 4/4/2 |
| 15-16 | Devourer | plus 24th-level | 4/4/2/2 |
| 17-18 | Lich | plus 2 5th-level | 4/4/2/2/2 |
| 19+ | Nightshade | plus 1 6th-level | 4/4/2/2/2/1 |
Spells Known is the number of different spells the creature has access to as spell-like abilities. A creature with a Wisdom score higher than 10 gains the spells from the row on the table corresponding to its Wisdom score, and the spells from all the rows above that row.
Times/Day is the number of times per day that the creature can use spell-like abilities of a given level. The creator of the creature must decide how to allocate the spells known. Once this determination has been made for a particular ability, it cannot be changed. For instance, the sample spellstitched creature has magic missile and obscuring mist as its 1st-level spell-like abilities. It can use magic missile three times per day and obscuring mist once per day. The creator cannot later change either the spells or the times per day each can be used.
Special Qualities: A spellstitched creature retains all the special qualities of the base creature and gains the following special qualities.
Damage Reduction: A spellstitched creature with 1-3 HD has no damage reduction. One with 4-7 HD has DR 5/+1; one with 8-11 HD has DR S/+2; and one with 12 or more HD has DR 10/+3.
Spell Resistance: A spellstitched creature has spell resistance equal to 15 + base creature's Charisma bonus.
Turn Resistance (Ex): A spellstitched creature has +2 turn resistance. This value is added to the base creature's turn resistance (if any).
If the base creature already has one or more of these special qualities, use the better value.
Saves: Same as base creature +2.
Abilities: Same as base creature.
Skills: Same as base creature.
Feats: Same as base creature.
Climate/Terrain: Same as base creature.
Organization: Same as base creature.
Challenge Rating: Same as base creature +1.
Treasure: Same as base creature.
Alignment: Same as base creature.
Advancement: Same as base creature.
Sample Spellstitched Creature: Spellstitched Ghast.