Lacedon

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Lacedon
Species undead
No. Appearing 3–18
Behaviour mindless
Range ocean banks
Size 5 ft. 10 in. tall
Weight 155 lbs.
Intelligence 0
Armour Class 5
Hit Dice 2
Action Points 5
Max. Stride {{{stride}}}
THAC0 19
Hp/Die d8
Attack Forms claw/claw, bite
Damage 1–3/1–3, 1–6
Special Attacks infection, natural immunities, paralysation

Lacedon are undead ghouls that originate as humanoids that are malevolently cast into the sea and left to drown, either by murderers wishing to dispose of a rival or during times of war, when many sailor and marines fall overboard and are lost during boarding fights. Occasionally, a body presumed dead upon disposal, but in fact alive, will manifest as a ghoul. The practice of gaining the confession of a condemned prisoner forced to walk the plank, and blessing him prior to an execution, is intended to keep the body from rising as a lacedon.

Once immersed, the lacedon's skin swells as it putrefies, developing abrasions as it rolls back and forth upon the sea bottom with the currents. The skin develops a mottled green-and-grey effect; as the body fills with gas, rather that it being dragged to the surface, the undead-nature of the creature splits open along the spine, releasing this excess gas so that it can remain underwater. The overall effect is quite hideous.

They bear an intense resentment for intelligent creatures surface dwellers but will not actively seek out humanoid races that dwell beneath the sea. However, mermen, sahuagin and tritons will actively seek out these creatures and destroy them, if a nest becomes known. Most other intelligent races will leave them be, even leading outsiders into known lacedon-infested regions, letting these undead dispatch their enemies.

Advantages

Ghouls attack by clawing with

their filthy nails and with fangs. Their touch causes humans - including dwarves, gnomes, half-elves, and holflings, but excluding elves - to become rigid (paralysis) unless o saving throw versus paralyzation is successful. Any human killed by a ghoulish attack will become a ghoul unless blessed (or blessed and then resurrected). Ghoul packs always attack without fear. These creatures are subject to all ottock forms except sleep ond charm spells. They con be turned by clerics. The magic circle of protection from evil actually keeps these monsters completely at boy.