Mummy, Dune (CR +3)

A low moan escapes from this desiccated husk as it shambles forward. Its flesh, such as it is, is barely visible beneath layers of ancient funerary wrapping, which are themselves covered in arcane symbols and hieroglyphics. It moves with a single-minded ferocity that belies its withered appearance, and its one good eye stares fixedly at its prey.

Although dune mummies appear very similar to normal mummies—a desiccated husk-like creature, draped in embalming wrap adorned with hieroglyphics—the dune mummy differs slightly in ability.

Dune mummies do not spread the curse of mummy rot through touch, nor does the very sight of them give rise to paralysis. They are still, however, resilient killing machines.

Creating a Dune Mummy

“Dune mummy” is an acquired template that can be added to any living, corporeal creature (hereafter referred to as the base creature). A dune mummy uses all of the base creature’s statistics except as noted here.

CR: As base creature +3

Alignment: Usually lawful evil

Type: The creature’s type changes to undead (augmented). It retains any other subtypes as well, except for alignment subtypes (such as good). Do not recalculate class Hit Dice, BAB, or saves.

Senses: A dune mummy gains darkvision 60 ft.

Armor Class: A dune mummy’s natural armor bonus increases by +5.

Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. As undead, dune mummies use their Charisma modifier to determine bonus hit points (instead of Constitution).

Defensive Abilities: A dune mummy retains the base creature’s defensive abilities and gains damage reduction 5/—.

Weaknesses: A dune mummy retains the base creature’s weaknesses and gains vulnerability to a single energy type. Choose or determine randomly from the following list:

Table: Random Energy Type Vulnerability

d10 Energy Type
1–4 Fire
5–6 Acid
7–8 Cold
9 Electricity
10 Sonic

As an emergency safeguard, it was common for the necromantic embalmers of ancient lands to subtly mark the particular energy type to which the mummy would be vulnerable with a separate hieroglyph someplace inconspicuously on the mummy’s body or wrappings. A DC 20 Perception check uncovers the mark, but unless the viewer is capable of comprehending its meaning a DC 20 Linguistics check is required to unlock its secret.

Speed: A dune mummy’s speeds all decrease by 10 feet (minimum 5 feet). If the base creature has a flight speed its maneuverability class worsens by one step, to a minimum of clumsy.

Melee: A dune mummy retains all the attacks of the base creature and also gains a slam attack if it did not already have one. This attack deals damage as a creature one size larger. If the base creature can use weapons, the mummy retains that ability. In addition, all of the mummy’s attacks are treated as magical for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Special Attacks: A dune mummy retains the base creature’s special attacks and also gains the following.

Dust Stroke (Su)

A successful natural or slam attack by a dune mummy that would kill its victim does more than just kill the victim, it also disintegrates the victim’s body into a cloud of dust and ash. A raise dead spell cannot bring back the victim, but a resurrection still works.

Sudden Burst of Vengeance (Su)

Despite its slow lumbering nature, a dune mummy is capable of lurching forward to attack with a short but surprising, explosion of speed. Twice per day, as a free action, a dune mummy may act as though augmented by a haste spell. The effect lasts for a single round.

Abilities: Str +4, Int –2 (minimum 1). As an undead creature, a dune mummy has no Constitution score.

Feats: A dune mummy gains Improved Natural Attack for each natural attack the creature has as a bonus feat. If the creature previously had a slam attack before adding the template, the creature’s new slam attack also gains the Improved Natural Attack feat.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder GameMastery Module – J1 – Entombed With The Pharaohs. Copyright 2007, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Greg A. Vaughan.

scroll to top