Duppy

This floating, ghostly humanoid's face is a blend of human and beast. Canine shapes twine around the creature's legs.

Duppy CR 7

CE Medium undead (incorporeal)

Init +10; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +14

Aura unnatural aura (30 ft.)

Defense

AC 20, touch 20, flat-footed 14 (+4 deflection, +6 Dex)

hp 76 (9d8+36)

Fort +7, Ref +11, Will +8

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +2, incorporeal; Immune undead traits

Weaknesses resurrection vulnerability, sunlight powerlessness

Offense

Speed fly 40 ft. (perfect)

Melee incorporeal touch +12 (2d8 negative energy plus 1d6 Strength drain)

Special Attacks ravenous hounds, strength drain

Statistics

Str —, Dex 22, Con —, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 19

Base Atk +6; CMB +12; CMD 26

Feats Flyby Attack, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Lunge, Step Up

Skills Fly +26, Intimidate +16, Perception +14, Sense Motive +14, Stealth +18

Languages Common

Ecology

Environment warm coastlines

Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3-8)

Treasure none

Special Abilities

Ravenous Hounds (Sp) Once per day as a standard action, a duppy can bring into being a pack of incorporeal hounds for 1d4+3 rounds. The ravenous hounds attack as a single unit, have a +11 attack bonus, deal 2d6+3 points of force damage on a successful hit, and threaten a critical hit on a natural 20. This ability is otherwise identical to mage's sword (CL 7th).

Resurrection Vulnerability (Su) raise dead or a similar spell cast on a duppy destroys it (Will negates). Using the spell in this way does not require a material component.

Strength Drain (Su) Creatures hit by a duppy's touch attack must succeed at a DC 18 Fortitude save or take 1d6 points of Strength drain. If the target fails its save, the duppy also gains 5 temporary hit points. The save DC is Charisma-based.

A duppy is the spirit of a cruel and brutal sailor who died by violence on land, away from his ship and crew, and thus was unable to receive a proper burial at sea. While its ghostly form is evidence enough of its twisted hatred, a duppy also possesses power over a pack of faithful, otherworldly hounds that share in their master's malevolence. The appearance of a duppy is often preceded by the distant sound of unearthly howling.

Duppies typically seek out sailors and pirates when exacting their vengeance, inflicting great violence on those living creatures who remind them of what they lost. For this reason, duppies are most often found in seaside towns or nearby beaches, and settlements that rely on the ocean know to fear and hate these spectral beings.

Though a duppy's incorporeal form ensures that it can't be captured by mundane means, those who do manage to trick a duppy into a magical trap are wise to keep the horror confined until the daytime, when its otherworldly abilities are hindered and it can be more easily defeated. Some tales claim that duppies arise near the treasures they buried while they were still alive, and ambitious sailors who buy into these stories might attempt to capture a duppy. However, few creatures can muster powers strong enough to cage a duppy, whose hounds confound enemies and allow the ghostly monster to attack victims from all sides.