Moldering Steed
Level 16Attacks
Abilities
The moldering steed senses all living creatures within the listed range that have a Wisdom of +1 or higher.
DC 38 reflex Most monsters that serve as mounts can attempt to buck off unwanted or annoying riders, but most mounts will not use this reaction against a trusted creature unless the mounts are spooked or mistreated. Trigger A creature Mounts or uses the Command an Animal action while riding the monster. Effect The triggering creature must succeed at a Reflex saving throw against the listed DC or fall off the creature and land Prone. If the save is a critical failure, the triggering creature also takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage in addition to the normal damage for the fall.
60 feet. DC 38 will A creature that first enters the area must attempt a Will save. Regardless of the result of the saving throw, the creature is temporarily immune to this monster's Frightful Presence for 1 minute. Critical Success The creature is unaffected by the presence. Success The creature is Frightened 1. Failure The creature is Frightened 2. Critical Failure The creature is Frightened 4.
A creature with void healing draws health from void energy rather than vitality energy. It is damaged by vitality damage and is not healed by vitality healing effects. It does not take void damage, and it is healed by void effects that heal undead.
The moldering steed Strides twice. It has a +10-foot circumstance bonus to its Speed during these Strides.
The moldering steed designates the living creature with the highest Will modifier within 120 feet as its prey. The steed gains a +2 circumstance bonus to Perception checks to Seek the prey and to Survival checks to Track the prey. The first time the steed hits its designated prey in a round, it deals an additional 1d8 precision damage. These effects last until the steed uses Hunt Will again.
When the moldering steed damages a living creature with its jaws Strike, the steed gains 20 temporary Hit Points that last for 1 minute, and the creature must succeed at a DC 38 will save or become Stupefied 1. Further damage dealt by the steed increases the creature's stupefied value on a failed save by 1, to a maximum of Stupefied 4. Effect: Siphon Will
Undead and creatures allied with them can Command a moldering steed without needing to attempt a skill check.
Description
A moldering steed is a horse whose unshakable will couldn't be broken, even by death. Draped in rotting flesh and trailing its own stinking entrails, the steed fights unrelentingly against its undead state, seeking out the spirits of strong-willed creatures to consume in a vain attempt to repair its fractured soul. Once it catches a scent, the steed pursues its prey until it consumes the creature's spirit or finds stronger-willed prey to track.
The few moldering steeds that arise naturally often died attempting to escape desperate situations, such as floods or fires. More often, necromancers create moldering steeds to serve as mounts for their undead armies. Unlike living mounts, moldering steeds don't need to be fed or cared for, and they'll often accept an undead rider who allows them to hunt down living prey. Due to the steed's insatiable hunger, however, living necromancers must take care not to become their steed's next meal.