Drukhmor
Although the cult of Faluzure claims to have created the first drukhmor, in truth they are the product of the lost draconic deity Kalzareinad, Keeper of Dark Wonders. Product of a spell wielded only by the foulest of dragonkind, drukhmor are undead bound to the essence of their creator, instilled with the powerful draconic essence and attendant magics.
A drukhmor looks largely as it did in life, although it slowly takes on characteristics of a mummy over time, becoming decayed and desiccated. Its skin tightens to show the skeletal structure, and tends to take on a shade of the patron dragon's scales, while its eyes become black voids with five blazing points of light in each. Its skull shape adjusts slightly to somewhat resemble the patron's, including nonfunctional horns. Its forelimbs grow prominent claws (if none existed already). Most notably, each drukhmor has a single dragon scale on a central point of its body (normally the breastbone for a humanoid), which glows with otherworldly light.
Creating a Drukhmor
"Drukhmor" is an acquired template that can be added to any humanoid, monstrous humanoid, giant, or magical beast of Small or larger size (referred to hereafter as the base creature). A drukhmor is always created by a true dragon or a spellcaster acting on behalf of and in concert with a true dragon (said dragon referred to hereafter as the patron). The patron's statistics are only considered as of the time the drukhmor is created (e.g. a patron who ages from Adult to Mature Adult does not cause any statistical or physical changes to existing drukhmor created while they were still Adult).
A drukhmor uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Size and Type
The creature’s type changes to undead (augmented humanoid, monstrous humanoid, giant, or magical beast). Do not recalculate base attack bonus, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. The drukhmor gains the subtypes of the patron, if any.
Hit Dice
Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. A drukhmor gains 2 HD if its patron's age category is Wyrmling to Juvenile; 4 HD if its patron's age category is Young Adult to Old; and 6 HD if its patron's age category is Very Old to Great Wyrm.
Speed
Same as the base creature. Drukhmor cannot swim unless the patron has a swim speed.
Armor Class
The base creature's natural armor bonus improves by +1/3 of the patron's natural armor bonus, rounded down (e.g. if the patron's natural armor bonus is +8, the drukhmor's natural armor bonus increased by +2).
Attack
A drukhmor retains all the attacks of the base creature and also gains a claw attack. If the base creature can use weapons, the drukhmor retains this ability. A creature with natural weapons retains those natural weapons. A drukhmor fighting without weapons uses either its claw attack or its primary natural weapon (if it has any). A drukhmor armed with a weapon uses its claw or a weapon, as it desires.
Full Attack
A drukhmor fighting without weapons uses either its claw attack (see above) or its natural weapons (if it has any). If armed with a weapon, it usually uses the weapon as its primary attack along with a claw or other natural weapon as a natural secondary attack.
Damage
The damage of a drukhmor's natural weapons remains unchanged. The damage of the drukhmor's claw attack follows the table below:
Spoiler: Claw Attack
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| Size |
Damage |
| Small |
1d3 |
| Medium |
1d4 |
| Large |
1d6 |
| Huge |
1d8 |
| Gargantuan |
2d6 |
| Colossal |
3d6 |
Special Attacks
A drukhmor retains all the special attacks of the base creature and gains the following:
Breath Weapon (Su) A drukhmor gains a lesser version of the patron's breath weapon that is half as effective (e.g. if the patron has a 12d6 breath weapon, the drukhmor's breath weapon deals 6d6 damage; if the patron's breath weapon applies an effect for four rounds, the drukhmor's applies it for 2 rounds, etc.) rounded down. The drukhmor's breath weapon has half the length of that of a dragon of equivalent size (e.g. a Medium drukhmor uses half of a Medium dragon's length, so 60 ft. line would become 30 ft. line). Saving throws are as per the patron's breath weapon; save DCs are Charisma-based for the drukhmor and use its character level in place of the patron's hit dice. A drukhmor may use its breath weapon at most once every other round.
If the patron has multiple breath weapons, one of them must be chosen to be conferred to the drukhmor. Any abilities possessed by the patron that modify its breath weapon do not pass on to the drukhmor (e.g. feats, class abilities, templates, and so on).
Invocations (Sp) A drukhmor gains access to invocations from the dragonfire adept list, based on the age category of the patron, as per the table below:
| Age Category |
Least |
Lesser |
Greater |
Dark |
| Wyrmling |
1 |
|
|
|
| Very Young |
2 |
|
|
|
| Young |
2 |
|
|
|
| Juvenile |
2 |
1 |
|
|
| Young Adult |
3 |
1 |
|
|
| Adult |
3 |
2 |
|
|
| Mature Adult |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
| Old |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
| Very Old |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
| Ancient |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
| Wyrm |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
| Great Wyrm |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
The drukhmor uses these with an effective dragonfire adept level equal to their character level.
Psionics A drukhmor with a psionic patron has some level of psionic ability. The drukhmor gains power points equal to twice the patron's natural armor bonus or twice the patron's HD, whichever is greater, and selects a single psionic mantleCPsi. The drukhmor may use the granted power of that mantle and select powers from it as an ardentCPsi of level equal to the patron's manifester level. If a drukhmor has any such powers available, it loses one invocation per grade.
Special Qualities
A drukhmor retains all the special qualities of the base creature and gains the following:
Damage Reduction (Su) A drukhmor has the damage reduction of its patron. Regardless of the patron's DR, a drukhmor's is always DR X/magic and piercing, and never requires additional qualities to bypass (e.g. if the patron has DR 15/good and silver, the drukhmor has DR 15/magic and piercing).
Dragonbound (Su) Effects that specifically affect dragons in a harmful or unwanted fashion affect the drukhmor as though it were a dragon and not an undead creature, unless it would be more harmful to an undead creature or to an undead (augmented dragon), in which case the drukhmor always suffers the most severe effect of these. For instance, a drukhmor takes an additional 2d6 damage from a dragonbane weapon or an undeadbane weapon.
Immunities (Su) A drukhmor has any immunities of its patron not conferred to that patron by an acquired template.
Inheritance (Su) The dark covenant of the drukhmor involves a substantial link of arcane power that is not easily erased from existence. When a drukhmor is destroyed, the last vestiges of its power seek out a new home, latching on to the nearest drukhmor within 1 mile, regardless of patron. The transfer of power lasts for 1 day per age category of the patron. Any given drukhmor can hold at most four inheritances; any above this number are lost. If a drukhmor is destroyed while holding an inheritance, both inheritances pass on to the next drukhmor (this also applies if it was holding more than one).
When a drukhmor receives an inheritance, it immediately gains 2d8+3 temporary hp which last until the inheritance expires (if it receives multiple, it gains temporary hp for each one received). In addition, a drukhmor benefits from a spell effect for the duration of the inheritance, based on how many they hold:
| Inheritances |
Spell Effect |
| 1 |
divine favor |
| 2 |
scintillating scalesSC |
| 3 |
fire shield* |
| 4 |
righteous might |
The effective caster level of such effects is equal to the caster level/manifester level of the patron of the destroyed drukhmor.
Besides these benefits, a drukhmor also enjoys +1 natural armor, +1 to damage rolls, a +1 bonus to initiative checks, and +2 turn resistance per inheritance currently held. A drukhmor's appearance shifts slightly with each inheritance, seeming slightly larger (or much larger from righteous might) and acquiring an additional glowing scale adjacent to their own.
Soulscale (Su) A drukhmor's powers and very existence stem from the scale of the patron that is affixed to their body. If this scale is destroyed, the drukhmor immediately disintegrates into ash without passing on its powers via inheritance. The scale has hardness 10, 10 hp, the same DR as the drukhmor, and is only damaged by targeted physical attacks, never by area effects or energy damage. It has the same AC as the drukhmor +8 for size, and its AC applies fully against touch attacks. An attack against the soulscale must be declared before it is rolled. As long as a soulscale exists, the patron can use it as a focus for divination effects (e.g. clairaudience, clairvoyance) as though personally present, allowing the patron to magically sense through its drukhmor.
Turn Resistance (Ex) A drukhmor has +2 turn resistance. This may increase temporarily due to inheritance (see above).
Abilities
Adjust from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex -2, Int +2, Wis +4, Cha +2. As an undead creature, a drukhmor has no Constitution score.
Skills
Drukhmor have a +4 racial bonus on Climb, Listen, Search, Spot, and Use Magic Device checks, and are considered trained in all of these skills. Otherwise same as base creature.
Feats
Same as base creature, plus Ability Focus (breath weapon) as a bonus feat.
Languages
Drukhmor speak Draconic in addition to any languages the base creature could speak, provided they are capable of independent speech.
Environment
Any.
Challenge Rating
Patron's age category Juvenile or younger: same as the base creature +1; Young Adult to Old, same as the base creature +2; Very Old to Great Wyrm, same as the base creature +3.
Alignment
Drukhmor are almost always evil and tend to match the alignment of their patron. Some very rare drukhmor retain their individuality and the alignment they had in life, though the power of the spell that created them may still compel them to perform evil acts.
Sample Drukhmor
Spoiler: Sample 1
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Ogre Drukhmor (Patron: Adult Green Dragon)
Large Undead (Air, Augmented Giant)
HD 8d12+3 (57 hp)
Speed 30 ft. in hide armor (6 squares); base speed 40 ft.
Init: -2
AC 21; touch 7; flat-footed 23 (+11 natural, +3 armor, -1 size, -2 Dex)
BAB +5; Grp +18
Attack Greatclub +12 melee (2d8+10) or javelin +2 ranged (1d8+7) or claw +11 melee (1d6+7)
Full Attack Greatclub +12 melee (2d8+10) or javelin +2 ranged (1d8+7) or claw +11 melee (1d6+7)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks Breath weapon, invocations
Special Qualities Darkvision 60 ft., DR 5/magic and piercing, dragonbound, immunity to acid, inheritance, low-light vision, soulscale (AC 29), turn resistance +2
Saves Fort +5 Ref +0 Will +5
Abilities Str 25, Dex 6, Con -, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 9
Skills Climb +11*, Listen +8*, Search +3*, Spot +7*, Use Magic Device +3*
Feats Ability Focus(breath weapon)B, Toughness, Weapon Focus (greatclub)
Environment Any
Organization Solitary
Challenge Rating 5
Treasure Standard
Alignment Always lawful evil
Advancement by class
Breath Weapon (Su) 20 ft. cone, 6d6 acid damage, Reflex DC 15 half.
Invocations (Sp)DM At will - Breath of the Night, Charm, Deafening Roar, Frightful Presence, See the Unseen.
Spoiler: Sample 2
Show
Manticore Drukhmor (Patron: Young Adult Red Dragon)
Large Undead (Augmented Magical Beast, Fire)
HD 10d12 (65 hp)
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares); fly 50 ft. (clumsy)
Init: +1
AC 22; touch 10; flat-footed 21 (+12 natural, +1 Dex, -1 size)
BAB +8; Grp +19
Attack Claw +14 melee (2d4+7) or 6 spikes +9 ranged (1d8+3/19-20)
Full Attack 2 claws +14 melee (2d4+7) and bite +12 melee (1d8+3); or 6 spikes +9 ranged (1d8+3/19-20)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks Breath weapon, invocations, spikes
Special Qualities Cold vulnerability, darkvision 60 ft., DR 5/magic and piercing, dragonbound, immunity to fire, inheritance, low-light vision, scent, soulscale (AC 30), turn resistance +2
Saves Fort +6 Ref +7 Will +7
Abilities Str 24, Dex 13, Con -, Int 9, Wis 16, Cha 11
Skills Climb +11*, Listen +11*, Search +3*, Spot +15*, Use Magic Device +4*
Feats Ability Focus (breath weapon)B, Flyby Attack, Multiattack, TrackB, Weapon Focus (spikes)
Environment Any
Organization Solitary
Challenge Rating 7
Treasure Standard
Alignment Always chaotic evil
Advancement 7-16 HD (Large); 17-18 HD (Huge)
Breath Weapon (Su) 20 ft. cone, 5d10 fire damage, Reflex DC 17 half.
Invocations (Sp)DM At will - Deafening Roar, Magic Insight, Scalding Gust, Voracious Dispelling
Spoiler: Sample 3
Show
Medusa Drukhmor (Patron: Ancient Black Dragon)
Medium Undead (Augmented Monstrous Humanoid, Water)
HD 12d12 (78 hp)
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Init: +1
AC 24; touch 11; flat-footed 23 (+13 natural, +1 Dex)
BAB +9; Grp +11
Attack Claw +11 melee (1d6+2) or shortbow +10 ranged (1d6/×3) or dagger +11 melee (1d4+2/19-20) or snakes +11 melee (1d4+2 plus poison)
Full Attack Shortbow +10/+5 ranged (1d6/×3); or dagger +11/+6 melee (1d4+2/19-20) and snakes +6 melee (1d4+2 plus poison); or claw +11 melee (1d6+2) and snakes +6 melee (1d4+2 plus poison)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks Breath weapon, invocations, petrifying gaze, poison
Special Qualities Darkvision 60 ft., DR 15/magic and piercing, dragonbound, immunity to acid, inheritance, soulscale (AC 32), turn resistance +2
Saves Fort +2 Ref +6 Will +8
Abilities Str 14, Dex 13, Con -, Int 14, Wis 17, Cha 17
Skills Bluff +10, Climb +6*, Diplomacy +5, Disguise +10 (+12 acting), Intimidate +5, Listen +7*, Move Silently +7, Search +6*, Spot +14*, Use Magic Device +7*
Feats Ability Focus (breath weapon)B, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Finesse
Environment Any
Organization Solitary
Challenge Rating 10
Treasure Standard
Alignment Always chaotic evil
Advancement by class
Breath Weapon (Su) 30 ft. line, 10d4 acid damage, Reflex DC 21 half.
Invocations (Sp)DM At will - Aquatic Adaptation, Beguiling Influence, Deafening Roar, Draconic Toughness, Enthralling Voice, Humanoid Shape, See the Unseen, Walk Unseen, Wingstorm
Petrifying Gaze (Su) Turn to stone permanently, 30 feet, Fortitude DC 19 negates. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Poison (Ex) Injury, Fortitude DC 19, initial damage 1d6 Str, secondary damage 2d6 Str. The save DC is Charisma-based.
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