Red Witch

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Ratman, Red Witch

Description: From the flesh of Mormo comes the most terrifying and mysterious of the ratmen, and also the smallest in number. The Red Witches have been more heavily imprinted by the will and ways of their titan than has any other breed of Slitheren. These vermin are the shortest ratmen, as well, typically standing five feet tall, with reddish fur, and with little interest in armor or weapons. Their power derives from a necromantic or illusionary ability developed by rigorous and deadly training rituals designed to insure that only the wiliest and deadliest spell-casters survive. The Red Witches' priesthood is actually a matriarchy consisting of arch-magi who take groups of lesser male mages, up to two dozen, as covens. These small bands of ratmen seek out areas of magical power and establish underground bases nearby. Their havens are filled with traps, illusions and the witches' undead servitors. As they absorb and extract the local magical energy, the witches ingest various potions and powders designed to inspire hallucinatory visions to guide their paths into the future. The resulting prophecies are called the Gifts of Mormo.

The most powerful and telling prophetess is the Witch-Queen, who reclines in a chamber that wafts with hallucinatory mists. She is one of the extremely rare shapeshifters among the Red Witches, capable of assuming the form of a giant rat or a member of any of the humanoid races (although she prefers that of a hauntingly beautiful, half-naked human woman). In this form, she amuses herself decadently with her humanoid slaves.

There is one other way that the Witches are unlike the other nests: Some lone ratmen go off on their own to pursue research they don't care to share with the others. These individuals sometimes find their way into civilization, if that's where their visions take them.

Combat: The Witches fight primarily with magic, although they often raise undead troops if a battle is imminent. Unless there is a prophecy that demands they do otherwise, these ratmen typically use their powers of illusion to flee a superior force. Obviously, these are the most intelligent, cunning and subtle of the Slitheren, and their stratagems reflect such deviousness.

Spells: A Red Witch casts spells as a wizard of level equivalent to their hit dice. She specializes in either the Illusion or Necromancy schools.

Medium-size Monstrous Humanoid

Hit Dice: 1d8+3 (7 hp)

Initiative: +2 (Dex)

Speed: 30 ft., climb 15 ft.

AC: 13 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)

Attacks: Bite +1 melee, 2 claws -4 melee

Damage: Bite 1d3; claw 1d4

Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks: Spells

Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft.

Saves: Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +3

Abilities: Str 10, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 8

Skills: Concentration +2, Escape Artist +3, Hide +2, Jump +1, Scry +2, Spellcraft +5

Feats: Spell Focus (Illusion), Spell Focus (Necromancy)

Climate/Terrain: Any except arctic

Organization: Solitary, coven (12-24 witches, plus a 4th- to 7th-level wizard)

Challenge Rating: 1/2

Treasure: Standard

Alignment: Usually lawful evil

Advancement Range: By character class

(v3.0 content previously published at SwordSorcery.com)