Game Master companion / Monster
Running Wraith
A predatory spirit reaches for living vitality and passes through obstacles to pursue it. Its hunger gives an otherwise insubstantial shape a terrible direction.
Prepare the scene
The pale shape crosses the sealed threshold. It turns toward the sound of breathing and extends a hand.
A predatory spirit reaches for living vitality and passes through obstacles to pursue it. Its hunger gives an otherwise insubstantial shape a terrible direction.
Establish the surroundings, each participant’s position, and what the party can perceive before resolving the encounter. Use the current core rules for surprise and turn order when combat begins.
Run the profile
Use the following source instructions for the encounter’s actions and effects.
Touch
Use: Basic attack · Touch: Might + supplemental d8 Wither (Unholy), Withstand + Vitality. This attack drains living vitality; use actual Withstand, without armor Support limits.
Signature abilities
Effect - Signature: Phase; after a Damaging Hit, Bonus Action + 1 Mana restores 2 Resolve, at most twice per encounter. Weakness to Holy-tagged damage.
Counterplay/relationship
Counterplay/relationship: Force it to spend resources on movement or recovery; death does not automatically create another combat unit.
Present the counterplay
Force it to spend resources on movement or recovery; death does not automatically create another combat unit.
Make the relevant behavior or environmental clues perceptible through the scene so the party can act on them.
Keep the mechanical profile nearby
Affinities: Vitality d6, Might d6, Agility d8, Intellect d6, Tact d6, Spirit d8.
Skill overrides: Evade d6.
Resolve 14; Stamina 7; Mana 8. Movement 25 feet.
Player Book idea: Predatory spirit combining phasing with life-drain.