Spectral Hound
by Travis LaneyMedium Outsider [Extraplanar]
| Hit Dice: | 5d8+5 (31 hp) |
| Initiative: | +2 |
| Speed: | 40 ft. |
| Armor Class: | 15 (+2 Dex, +3 natural) |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | +5/+7 |
| Attack: | Bite +8 melee (1d8 + special) |
| Full Attack: | Bite +8 melee (1d8 + special) |
| Space/Reach: | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks: | Fade |
| Special Qualities: | Darkvision 60', scent |
| Saves: | Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +5 |
| Abilities: | Str 14, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 12 |
| Skills: | Climb +10, Hide +10, Jump +10, Listen +9, Move Silently +10, Search +9, Spot +9, Survival +9*, Swim +10 |
| Feats: | Alertness, Track (B), Weapon Focus (bite) |
| Environment: | The Ethereal Plane |
| Organization: | Solitary, pair, or pack (3-6) |
| Challenge Rating: | 2 |
| Treasure: | None |
| Alignment: | Usually chaotic neutral |
| Advancement: | 5-8 HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment: | -- |
Spectral hounds are creatures from the Dimensional Vortex the void between dimensions. In this world they appear as ghostly dogs pale in color and translucent. Their eyes are formless pools of utter blackness. They are excellent trackers and once on the trail of a creature, they follow it for days.1
COMBAT
In combat, a spectral hound attacks by biting.
Fade (Su): any creature bitten by a spectral hound must succeed a Fortitude save (DC 14) or begin to fade. This fading is very gradual: in 24 hours the character has faded completely, having the same translucent appearance as a spectral hound. The player's equipment is not affected. When the character fades completely, he is unable to hold any items. He is unable to hear or talk to unfaded creatures. From the faded creature's point of view, all normal things appear translucent, while faded things (i.e. the spectral hounds and other affected creatures) seem solid and normal.
Any time after a creature has been affected, he may be restored to the normal world by a dimension door spell. When the spell is cast, the affected creature can step through the dimension door and return to the normal world.1
The save DC to resist the fade effect is Charisma-based.
*Skills: spectral hounds gain a +4 racial bonus on all Survival checks made to follow tracks.
The spectral hound first appeared in Module X-5, "Temple of Death," by David Cook (1983).
This 3.5 Edition conversion is (c) 2007 by Travis Laney
1. Cook, D., 1983. Temple of Death. Random House, Inc.
2. Gygax, G. and Arneson, D., 1983. Dungeons & Dragons Expert Rulebook. Random House, Inc.
3. Allston, A. 1991. Rules Cyclopedia. Random House, Inc.
4. Rasmussen, M. 1983. Quagmire! Random House, Inc.