These creatures are the direct result of the detonation of weapons of mass destruction. Any city-killer weapon which releases enough energy is fully capable of opening a temporary portal to the negative energy plane, and the release of the horrific energy from that anti-life realm, when combined with the sudden release of numerous souls, combined to create a new undead terror.

The creatures that inhabit these locations can only travel within the specific area and cannot travel past the zone which was bathed in the unholy energy so they are typically confined to an area of up to 2000 square feet (1000 + 10d100 ft.). Here they can move freely, but once they hit the limit of their ‘territory’, they stop as if they hit a physical wall.

These strange, undead spirits are only visible when light is present. They appear to be men, women and children, mere shadows of what they were in life. One can see right through their bodies and for the most part these creatures remain motionless. For the most part, if no light is present, the creatures are completely invisible, even when Darkvision is used.

During the daytime the creatures are completely visible and are of no threat, but once the light disappears they begin to prowl the territory that they have become trapped in. They are attracted to the life-force of living, sentient creatures and seem to crave it. Strangely enough, these creatures will ignore all other types of life-forms and will only try to touch humanoids or beings which are sentient. They will approach anyone who comes into their territory and attempt to touch them.            

Anyone who attempts to attack one of these creatures will quickly discover that they are impervious to nearly all physical attacks. Only energy or magic will affect the creatures. Any other attacks will pass through them entirely. Light from a flashlight, torch or similar source will keep the creatures at bay, as they will not enter the circle of light, but will instead use their douse light ability to try and negate the light source.  

The only sure-fire way to get around these monsters is to travel through their territory during the daytime, but often these creatures are found beneath the surface where natural light never penetrates.

There are those who are willing to risk death at the hands of these monsters due to the fact that treasure and technology are often found where these creatures died. This could be in the form of the goods and items that they carried during life, or could be the gear left behind by those who succumbed to their chilling touch. As feared as the creatures are, there are those who know that their lairs can be a treasure-trove.

Although many attempts have been made to communicate with these creatures, it has been discovered that they are essentially mindless – evil, but mindless. They can be resurrected using a Wish or Miracle spell, however. It is the only way to bring the victims back to the world of the living.

Starfinder Creature Index