Born of once-living warriors who lived the life of a master of swordplay, these skeletons wield fighting techniques as sable as their ash-black bones, using their fighting prowess and ebon swords to eliminate foes. – Manly Man
Blackbones (CR 14)
XP 38,400
NE Medium Undead
Init +13; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +20
DEFENSE
AC 32, touch 20, flat-footed 32 (+7 armor, +5 Dex, + 5 natural, +5 shield)
hp 186 (15d8+120)
Fort +20 Ref +17 Will +18
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +6 DR 10/bludgeoning and good Immune undead traits; Resist Ice 15
Weakness Fire
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee +2 knight sword +21 (1d10+10 plus empowered, 19-20/x2), shield bash +21 (1d8+10)
Full Attack +2 knight sword +19/+12/+7 (1d10+10 plus empowered, 19-20/x2) and shield bash +21 (1d8+10)
Special Attacks deadly strike, swordplay
Swordskills (IL 15, DC 25)
Basic- Crush Accessory (Perfected), Crush Weapon (Practiced), Dusk Blade, Shadowblade (Perfected), Umbra Strike
Master- Crushing Blow, Icewolf Bite, Sanguine Sword
STATISTICS
Str 27, Dex 20, Con -, Int 16, Wis 14 Cha 26
Base Atk +11; CMB +19; CMD 34
Feats Two-Weapon Fighting, Shield Focus, Shield Ward, Extra Readied Swordskill, Improved Shield Bash, Double Slice, Shield Slam, Shield Mastery
Skills Acrobatics +15, Climb +12, Intimidate +25, Knowledge (arcana) +15, Knowledge (religion) +16, Perception +20, Sense Motive +20, Spellcraft +21, Stealth +22
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Infernal
SQ dark blessing, deathly vigilance, empowered, impregnable darkness, improved uncanny dodge, uncanny dodge, untouchable darkness
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Dark Blessing (Su)
A blackbones has dark blessing, as the dark knight ability.
Deadly Strike (Ex)
The grim satisfaction of landing an especially debilitating blow upon an enemy fills the blackbones with a dark fervor that strengthens its blows further. Whenever the blackbones lands a successful critical hit, it deals an additional 2d6 damage. All further attacks made by the blackbones on the creature that suffered the critical hit that activated this ability deal an additional 2d6 damage for two rounds. Landing another critical hit on the affected target while this ability is still active extends the duration by one round; the duration may only be extended once per round in this manner.
This ability may not be used with weapons that inflict non-lethal damage. Creatures immune to critical hits or precision damage are not affected by this ability.
Deathly Vigilance (Ex)
Ever ready for battle, the blackbones adds its Charisma modifier to its initiative.
Empowered (Ex)
Blackbones have a special connection to their weapons. While in their hands, their Knight Sword gains the Keen and Abyssal Burst weapon properties. Other Blackbones may have different weapon properties, up to a maximum of a +3 equivalent. It gains these bonuses even if the base weapon is not enchanted.
Impregnable Darkness (Ex)
Whenever targeted by an attack, the blackbones may roll a shield bash as an immediate action. If the shield bash meets or exceeds the attack roll of the attack targeting them, the attack is negated. Also, if the blackbones is targeted by a spell or other ability that requires a Reflex save, the blackbones may replace their saving throw with a shield bash as an immediate action, using their Dexterity modifier instead of their Strength modifier. If the roll is successful, the spell or ability has no effect on the blackbones.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
A blackbones has improved uncanny dodge, as the thief ability.
Swordplay (Su)
A blackbones has swordplay, as the sword saint ability, with the exception that instead of using the defensive focus ability to recover a number of swordskills equal to their Charisma modifier, they regain two swordskills when successfully using their impregnable darkness ability, or by spending a standard action to recover one swordskill.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
A blackbones has uncanny dodge, as the thief ability.
Untouchable Darkness (Ex)
Up to three times per day, a blackbones may use its impregnable darkness ability without expending an immediate action. This ability can only be used once per round.
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pair, strike team (3-6), troop (4-16)
Treasure NPC, +2 knight sword, +1 mithral breastplate, +2 heavy steel shield of bashing
Opponents both canny and wily, blackbones are said to arise from those who were dark swordsmen in life. Their strength and presence are even greater in undeath than they were while alive, and they take great advantage of this, wielding the powerful magical weapons that they had while still living and making aggressive use of their shields. Typically, a blackbones will have the Crush Accessory, Crush Weapon, Crushing Blow, Sanguine Sword, and Shadowblade swordskills readied, although if they have information about their coming foes and the time to prepare, they will ready whatever swordskills seem the most appropriate, such as readying Icewolf Bite if they know they will be facing spellcasters or enemies with a large amount of magical gear.
Blackbones are about 6 feet tall and weigh 30 pounds.