Spectre

Incorporeal undead monsters that drain life energy

undead incorporeal energy-drain chaotic lawful-evil extraplanar

Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game

Armor Class	17 (m)
Hit Dice	6**
Number Appearing	1d4, Lair 1d8
Attacks	1 touch
Damage	Energy drain 2 levels/touch
Movement	Fly 100'
Save As	Fighter: 6
Morale	11
XP	610
Treasure Type	E

Spectres are incorporeal undead monsters. On any successful hit against a living creature, a spectre drains two life energy levels in addition to doing normal damage. Any character slain by a spectre will arise at the next sunset (but not sooner than 6 hours after death) as a spectre under the control of its killer.

A spectre will normally resemble the living creature it used to be. Most spectres are formed from humanoid creatures, but some may have other forms and sizes; statistically, most such creatures will be as given above, but of course the GM may create special types.

Like all undead, they may be Turned by Clerics and are immune to sleep, charm and hold magics. Due to their incorporeal nature, they cannot be harmed by non-magical weapons.

Special Abilities

Energy Drain: On any successful hit against a living creature, a spectre drains two life energy levels in addition to doing normal damage.

Create Spawn: Any character slain by a spectre will arise at the next sunset (but not sooner than 6 hours after death) as a spectre under the control of its killer.

Undead Immunities: May be Turned by Clerics and are immune to sleep, charm and hold magics.

Incorporeal: Cannot be harmed by non-magical weapons.

Other Sources

Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy

Armor Class	2 [17]
Hit Dice	6** (27hp)
Number Appearing	1d4 (1d8)
Attacks	1 × touch (1d8 + energy drain)
THAC0	14 [+5]
Movement	150' (50') / 300' (100') flying
Saving Throws	D10 W11 P12 B13 S14 (6)
Morale	11
Alignment	Chaotic
XP	725
Treasure Type	E

Incorporeal phantoms; one of the most powerful undead monsters.

Special Abilities

Undead: Make no noise, until they attack. Immune to effects that affect living creatures (e.g. poison). Immune to mind-affecting or mind-reading spells (e.g. charm, hold, sleep).

Mundane damage immunity: Can only be harmed by magical attacks.

Energy drain: A successfully hit target permanently loses two experience levels (or Hit Dice). This incurs a loss of two Hit Dice of hit points, as well as all other benefits due to the drained levels (e.g. spells, saving throws, etc.). A character’s XP is reduced to the lowest amount for the new level. A person drained of all levels becomes a spectre next night, under the control of the spectre that killed them.

OSRIC

Armor Class	2
Hit Dice	7+3
Number Encountered	1d6
Attacks	1
Damage	1d8
Move	150-ft hovering; 300-ft flying (AA: IV)
Alignment	Lawful evil
Intelligence	High
XP	7/1,815 +10/hp
Treasure Type	3d4 gems (50%); 3d4×1,000 gp (70%); 1 misc. magic item (60%); 1d2 potions (70%)
Size	Man-sized
Frequency	Rare
Lair	20%

These fiendish shades dwell primarily on the negative material plane. Thus, when their barely-material forms come in contact with the living, they drain two levels of experience from the victim. Those reduced below zero energy levels become half-strength spectres under control of the one that stole their life-force. The living In turn can only affect spectres with magic weapons (of at least +1 value) or spells. Elemental spells and enchantments that affect the mind have no power over spectres. Liquids blessed by the gods still inflict damage upon them. If a cleric (good or evil) attempts to restore a spectre back to life via a spell or ritual, the spectre must make a saving throw or its existence is removed from the plane that fuels its unlife and it becomes naught in the world of living.

Some sages speculate that spectres have no power in sunlight, but no one has ever proved this theory.

Special Abilities

Level Drain: Drain two levels of experience from the victim on contact. Those reduced below zero energy levels become half-strength spectres under control of the one that stole their life-force.

Immunities: Immune to cold, poison, paralysation, and elemental spells, as well as sleep, charm, hold and other mental attacks.

Magic Weapons Required: Can only be affected by magic weapons of at least +1 value or spells.

Holy Water: Liquids blessed by the gods still inflict damage upon them.

Restoration Vulnerability: If a cleric (good or evil) attempts to restore a spectre back to life via a spell or ritual, the spectre must make a saving throw or its existence is removed from the plane that fuels its unlife and it becomes naught in the world of living.