Ekimmu (undead)

% In Lair: 20%

Dungeon Enc: Throng (1d4), Haunt (1d8)

Wilderness Enc: Horde (1d8) / Haunt (1d8)

Alignment: Chaotic

Movement: 150' (50')

A Fly: 300' (100')

Armor Class: 7

Hit Dice: 6***

Attacks: 1 (touch or possession)

Damage: 1d8 + drain level or special

Save: F6

Morale: +3

Treasure Type: N

XP: 1,070

Ekimmu are the ghosts of those who were slain, often violently, and for one or more of a variety of reasons not permitted entrance to the underworld. They are fearsome creatures that despise their state and are often vengefully jealous toward the living.  An ekimmu looks much as it did in life and can be easily recognized by those who knew the individual.  These powerful undead are unharmed by ordinary weapons, including weapons made of silver and are immune to poison, charm, hold, and sleep spells.

The ekimmu may either attack a victim normally with its life-draining touch or attempt to possess the victim’s body.  In the case of the former, it deals 1d8 points of damage on a successful strike and  drains two levels of experience. Should a character be slain by an ekimmu in this manner, he will become one 24 hours after his death. The new ekimmu will be under the command of its killer.

Instead of making a normal attack, an ekimmu may attempt to possess its victim.  This is similar in effect to the magic jar arcane spell except that an inanimate object is not required for the ability to function.  Targets of this are allowed a saving throw vs. Death per the arcane spell.  A creature failing the save has its body possessed by the ekimmu while its spirit is imprisoned in the underworld. Under this condition, the ekimmu keeps its own Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma, attack bonus, saving throws, and mental abilities while enjoying the host body’s Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, hit points, and natural abilities.  

Rescuing a victim's spirit from the underworld may be accomplished by driving the occupying ekimmu off with a successful dispel evil (Divine 5).  The ekimmu is permitted a save vs. Death.  Success indicates the ekimmu continues to inhabit its host.  Failure will indicate that the ekimmu has been successfully expelled from the host body, but not destroyed.  A subsequent, successful casting of the dispel evil while the ekimmu is in its native form will function as per the spell description, resulting in the destruction of the spirit.