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This was the first Frank-encounters done by TSRO Hawk and the first to be done on the web. Our encounter for this session of Frank-encounters was an Ash Zombie that would seem to be great against Higher level characters.
Ash Zombies are mindless, animated magically cremated corpses controlled by their creator.
The condition of the corpse used in creating an Ash Zombie is usually fresh as magical cremation has a bad effect on old bodies. Magical cremation turns the flesh to ash while leaving the skeletal remains intact. While in this state the corpse is then enchanted and brought to undead life. When first created an Ash Zombie is considered hot and will slowly cool off over a period of time. In this cool state Ash Zombies can be confused with common zombies as they may look the same, especially at long distances.
Combat: Ash Zombies move very slowly, so they strike last in any combat round. They always move in a straight line toward their opponents, with arms outstretched, seeking to claw or pummel their victims to death. Unlike other zombies, the Ash Zombies are allowed an attack per each arm. If the zombie is cold then it inflicts 1d6 per arm, but if hot it then inflicts 1d10 per arm plus there is the possibility of setting flammables on fire. Like most undead, Ash Zombies are immune to sleep, charm, hold, death magic, and poisons. A vial of holy water inflicts 2-8 points of damage upon striking.
Normal fire will make a cool Ash Zombie hot. If any hot spell (flame arrow, fireball, etc) hits an Ash Zombie, the zombie effectively becomes hot and gains one extra HD and a +1 to hit for a period equal to every 2 levels of the spell cast. Cold-based spells have no other effect on Ash Zombies other than to cool a hot Ash Zombie.
Due to the fact that the Ash Zombie is built of ash surrounding a skeletal frame edged and piercing weapons (like swords, daggers, and spears)inflict only half damage. Blunt weapons cause normal damage against Ash Zombies, but it will release a cloud of ash into the air directed at the attacker. This has 2 effects:
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Habitat/Society: Ash Zombies are typically found near graveyards, dungeons, and ancient battle fields. Like other zombies, Ash Zombies will follow the spoken commands of their creators as long as it is short and not very complicated.
Ecology: Ash Zombies are not natural creations and have no role in ecology or nature.
Encounter Designers: Beowulf, Sakuel, Celestia, Warbridge, and of course, TSRO Hawk