Thursday, December 18, 2008

Monster: Anpu

Anpu
Armour Class: 4
Hit Dice: 4**
Move: 120’ (40’)
Attacks: 2 claws/1 bite
Damage: 1-4/1-4/1-6 + special
No. Appearing: 1-4 (2-16)
Save As: C4
Morale: 11
Treasure Type: D
Alignment: Chaotic
XP Value: 175

Undead creatures that prowl amongst graves, anpu superficially resemble ghouls. Unlike a ghoul, however, an anpu’s jaws are distended into a long canid-like muzzle filled with rending teeth, its hands transformed into tearing claws. The hair of an anpu becomes a ragged, filthy black mane despite its appearance in life. While some anpu rise from those of its victims it does not devour, the vast majority are the product of wretched graverobbers cursed by dying at the place of their theft – or are deliberately created to serve as the guardians of said tombs.

Like a ghoul, a successful hit from an anpu causes paralysis for 2-8 turns unless a save versus paralysis is made; unlike a ghoul, the paralysis of an anpu is not restricted by the size of the victim. More gruesomely, wounds inflicted by an anpu’s rending fangs will continue to bleed at a rate of one hit point per round until healing is applied.

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