Bhuta (3pp)

This creature appears to be a decayed humanoid whose body still shows signs of trauma. Its flesh, where it still exists, is pulled tight over its skeletal frame. Its eyes are now hollow sockets of darkness.

Bhuta CR 6

XP 2,400
NE Medium undead
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +16

DEFENSE

AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +7 natural)
hp 67 (9d8+18 plus 9)
Fort +5; Ref +5; Will +9
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +2; Immune undead traits

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +12 (1d8+5 plus grab)
Special Attacks death grip

STATISTICS

Str 20, Dex 14, Con —, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 14
Base Atk +6; CMB +11 (+15 grapple); CMD 23
Feats Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception), Toughness, Weapon Focus (claw)
Skills Climb +17, Escape Artist +11, Intimidate +14, Knowledge (religion) +6, Perception +16, Stealth +14
Languages Common
SQ find target, gentle repose

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Death Grip (Ex)

A bhuta deals 1d8+5 points of damage with a successful grapple check each round the hold is maintained. Because it seizes its victim by the throat, a creature in its grasp cannot speak or cast spells with verbal components.

Find Target (Sp)

So long as the bhuta and its killer are on the same plane of existence, it can find its target unerringly as though guided by discern location (caster level 9th).

Gentle Repose (Ex)

When it first rises from the dead, a bhuta is preserved as if by gentle repose for a period of 14 days. After that time, its body begins to decay and it takes on an appearance similar to that of a ghoul or zombie.

ECOLOGY

Environment any land or underground
Organization solitary
Treasure none

When a person is murdered, the spirit sometimes clings to the Material Plane, refusing to accept its mortal death. This spirit possesses its original body and seeks out those responsible for its murder. It will never rest until those responsible are sought out and slain.

Since the transformation into unlife is almost instant (occurring within 1-2 hours after death), the bhuta appears as it did in life. Close inspection (DC 16 Perception check) reveals slight decay, and the body still shows signs of any trauma suffered prior to death (wounds, disease, burns, or the like), but outwardly, the bhuta for the most part appears as a normal creature of its race. In its undead state, the bhuta sustains itself on a diet of flesh, preferring that of humans and elves.

A bhuta attacks with its claws in combat. If facing its killers, it uses its death grip attack on the one who actually killed it (the one who delivered the killing blow) and usually only releases its hold when either it or its target is dead. If combat goes against it, a bhuta does not hesitate to retreat, picking a more opportune time in the future to exact its revenge.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Bhuta from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene.

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