View source for Dread Devourer (3.5e Monster)

===Combat===

Even if it had no [[SRD:Special Abilities Overview|special abilities]], a dread devourer would be a terrible opponent, for its bony claws can flay enemies alive.

'''[[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Energy Drain (Su)|Energy Drain]] ([[SRD:Su|Su]]):''' Living creatures hit by a dread devourer’s claw attack or ''[[SRD:Spectral Hand|spectral hand]]'' ability gain three [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Negative Levels|negative levels]]. The [[SRD:DC|DC]] is 42 for the [[SRD:Saving Throw|Fortitude save]] to remove a [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Negative Levels|negative level]]. The save [[SRD:DC|DC]] is [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]]-based.

'''{{Anchor|Trap Essence}} ([[SRD:Su|Su]])''': The dread devourer is named for its ability to consume an enemy’s life essence. The ability is one it shares with its lesser kin, but for the dread devourer, it's far more effective. To trap an enemy's essence, it must forgo its normal [[SRD:Melee Attack|melee attacks]] and make a trap essence attack. This requires a normal [[SRD:Attack Roll|attack roll]] but deals no damage. Instead, the target must succeed on a DC 44 [[SRD:Fortitude|Fortitude]] saving throw or instantly die. The save [[SRD:DC|DC]] is [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]]-based. A slain creature’s essence is trapped within the dread devourer’s ribs, and the tiny figure takes on that victim’s features. The trapped essence cannot be raised or resurrected, but a ''[[SRD:Limited Wish|limited wish]], [[SRD:Miracle|miracle]],'' or ''[[SRD:Wish|wish]]'' spell frees it, as does destroying the dread devourer. A dread devourer can hold only one essence at a time, and cannot use this attack if it already holds an essence.

The trapped essence provides a dread devourer with enough power to use five [[SRD:Spell-Like Ability|spell-like abilities]] for each [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Die]] or level of the trapped creature. As this energy is expended, the twisted soul fades away until it evaporates completely. The trapped essence gains one [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Negative Levels|negative level]] for every five times the dread devourer uses one of its [[SRD:Spell-Like Ability|spell-like abilities]]. When the essence’s number of [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Negative Levels|negative levels]] equals the creature’s total [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] or level, the essence is destroyed. If an essence is freed, the restored creature must succeed on a [[SRD:DC|DC]] 44 [[SRD:Saving Throw|Fortitude save]] for each [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Negative Levels|negative level]] or lose that level permanently. (The save DC for both avoiding death by trap essence and removing the negative levels is enhanced by Ability Focus.)

'''[[SRD:Spell-Like Ability|Spell-Like Abilities]]''': At the start of any encounter, the trapped essence within a dread devourer is assumed to have 5d4+5 levels (enough fuel for fifty to one hundred-and-twenty-five uses). Once per [[SRD:Round|round]], a dread devourer can use one of the following abilities: ''[[SRD:Confusion|confusion]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 28), ''[[SRD:Control Undead|control undead]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 31), ''[[SRD:Ghoul Touch|ghoul touch]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 26), ''[[SRD:Planar Ally|planar ally]], [[SRD:Ray of Enfeeblement|ray of enfeeblement]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 25), ''[[SRD:Spectral Hand|spectral hand]], [[SRD:Suggestion|suggestion]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 26), ''[[SRD:True Seeing|true seeing]]'', ''[[SRD:Inflict Critical Wounds|inflict critical wounds]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 28), ''[[SRD:Unholy Blight|unholy blight]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 28), ''spell flower''<ref name="spc">[[Publication:Spell Compendium|Spell Compendium]]</ref>, ''[[SRD:Hold Monster|hold monster]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 29), ''[[Alien Limb (3.5e Spell)|alien limb]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 27), ''[[Aura of Doom (3.5e Spell)|aura of doom]], [[Detect Survivors (3.5e Spell)|detect survivors]], [[SRD:Bestow Curse|bestow curse]]'' ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 27). [[SRD:Caster Level|Caster level]] 43rd. The save [[SRD:DC|DCs]] are [[SRD:Charisma|Charisma]]-based.

At 40 HD, a dread devourer replaces ''inflict critical wounds'' with [[SRD:Harm|''harm'']] ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 30). At 48 HD, it replaces that with [[Harm, Greater (3.5e Spell)|''greater harm'']] ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 33).

'''{{Anchor|Spell Deflection}} ([[SRD:Su|Su]]):''' The trapped essence provides a measure of magical protection. If any of the following [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]] are cast at the dread devourer and overcome its [[SRD:Spell Resistance and Spell Immunity#Spell Resistance (Ex)|spell resistance]], they affect the imprisoned essence instead: ''[[SRD:Banishment|banishment]], [[SRD:Chaos Hammer|chaos hammer]], [[SRD:Confusion|confusion]], [[SRD:Crushing Despair|crushing despair]], [[SRD:Detect Thoughts|detect thoughts]], [[SRD:Dispel Evil|dispel evil]], [[SRD:Dominate Person|dominate person]], [[SRD:Fear|fear]], [[SRD:Geas/Quest|geas/quest]], [[SRD:Holy Word|holy word]], [[SRD:Hypnotism|hypnotism]], [[SRD:Imprisonment|imprisonment]], [[SRD:Magic Jar|magic jar]], [[SRD:Maze|maze]], [[SRD:Suggestion|suggestion]], [[SRD:Trap the Soul|trap the soul]],'' or any form of charm or compulsion. In many cases, this deflection effectively neutralizes the spell. Some of these effects might eliminate the trapped essence, depriving the dread devourer of its [[SRD:Spell-Like Ability|spell-like abilities]] until it can consume another victim.  

'''{{Anchor|Unnatural Toughness}} ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''' A dread devourer gains maximum Hit Points per Hit Die.

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{{3.5e Monsters Breadcrumb}}
[[Category:3.5e]]
[[Category:User]]
[[Category:Monster]]

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Alignment	Always neutral evil +
Author	Luigifan18 +
Challenge Rating	32 +
Environment	Any +
Identifier	3.5e Monster +
Level Adjustment	— +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Size	Huge +
Subtype	Extraplanar + and Evil +
Summary	Dread devourers are devourers that have existed for a very long time and consumed many souls, or even worse, been deliberately enhanced by a wicked spellcaster. +
Title	Dread Devourer +
Type	Undead +