Soulthirster - By Bill Silvey
Frequency: Unique
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: -6
Move: 16"/32"
Hit Dice: 166 Hit Points
% In Lair: 90%
Treasure Type: H,U,V,Z
No. Of Attacks: 3 or 4 (See Below)
Damage/Attack: 3-18/2-12/5-20 (or See Below)
Special Attacks: See Below
Special Defense: +3 or better weapon to hit
Magic Resistance: 90%
Intelligence: Genius
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Size: L (15' tall, 35' wingspan)
Psionic Ability: 266
Attack/Defense Modes: All/all
Soulthirster dwells on the 333rd plane of the Abyss. As an Abyssal Lord, he
lusts after power not only over his own domain and other planes of the Abyss,
but he also craves to enslave and destroy the souls of those who dwell on the
Prime Material Plane, particularly those who are powerful and aligned with Law
and Good. To this end, he commands a nightmare cadre of Succubae and Incubi to
go forth and corrupt the mortal world. To each of these demoniac charges, he
gives a foul enchanted item to try to lure weak individuals with. The effect of
these items is described below.
Soulthirster himself appears as a large winged form, laden in jewelry and armor,
all of it foul and covered in obscene runes. In his right hand he wields a huge
battle axe, capable of inflicting terrible wounds for 3-18 points of damage. In
his left, he carries an equally dangerous whip. This whip inflicts 2-12 points
of damage when it strikes, and if a 20 is rolled to-hit with it, the whip
ensnares it's victim and inflicts an additional 1-8 points of damage. Unless the
victim can save versus Spells, the whip stays wrapped around them inflicting 1-8
points of damage per round, pinning their arms, leaving them unable to attack or
defend against any other attacks. If a successful saving throw versus spells is
made, the hold of the whip is broken.
Soulthirster's most fearsome weapon is his vicious kick; each of his cloven
hoofs is shod in bright copper-plated iron forged by imprisoned efreeti; a blow
from one of these massive feet inflicts 5-20 points of damage. Worse still, if
Soulthirster is in flight, he can inflict two such kicks to any foolish enough
to melee with him.
Soulthirster radiates Fear as the magic spell, and can radiate an impenetrable
Darkness at will. Soulthirster is capable of using magic user or illusionist
spells at the 10th level of proficiency in either class. A huge buckle on his
tabard allows him to immediately know the Alignment of any who approach him
within a 30' radius.
Items created and cursed by Soulthirster are carried to the Prime Material Plane
by his Incubi/Succubae minions to lure unsuspecting creatures into damnation.
These items take the form of beautifully crafted clothes or jewelry or armor and
the like. When an incubus or succubus has Drained an unsuspecting victim to a
low level of experience (1st or 2nd), they will "reward" their
"lover" with the item. The victim must then save versus spells, and if
they fail their alignment will be turned to a direct opposite: e.g., neutral
good=neutral evil, lawful good = chaotic evil. Chaotic good or Chaotic neutral
alignments will be bent towards evil as well. If the victim succeeds in saving
versus Spells, they will still be in the thrall of their demoniac
"lover", and as per a Charm spell, will permit no harm to come to
them. Further, they will hold the cursed "gift" dear, and will never
permit anyone to take it. The "gift" will function as a moderately
powerful magic item for the victim, e.g., a ring will function as a Ring of
Protection, a bracelet as a Bracers of Defense (at the Dungeon Master's
discretion).
Even if the Succubus or Incubus is driven away, every week the victim must make
another saving throw at -1 (cumulative) versus the item or suffer an alignment
change. If the victim has a Remove Curse spell cast on them, followed by a Bless
spell, the evil charm is broken. If the item has an exorcism spell cast on it,
it will be rendered powerless. The item has a saving throw of 12 or better. If
it succeeds in saving against the Exorcism, the victim will always pine after
it, and feel a great melancholy if the item is mentioned. Finally, those who
escape Soulthirster's minions so enrage him that there is a 50% chance that the
demon will send another Succubus or Incubus (which will appear to be the same
one to the victim) to try to ensnare them again!
Of course, any who fall victim to Soulthirster's ensnarements and die without
help are immediately brought to his level of the Abyss where they will be
forever tortured and abused for Soulthirster's enjoyment.