Red jade is a magical mineral, most common in the Hills of Niranim but found across the World of Conclave. In its inert state it is simply a precious stone (worth 10-100gp, or 1000-10,000 yen) but in its active state it is capable of storing magical power. Treat as a metamagic rod except that red jade is classed as a minor artifact since it cannot be created by mortal means. Like other types of jade, it is believed to be formed from the blood of the Immortals.
Active red jade is not without its perils, however. It is known to harbour dangerous spirit creatures that like to inhabit mortals and drive them into a bloodthirsty frenzy. These red jade spirits, when they form a body, appear as ugly humanoid heads with fanged teeth, atop a pair of taloned bird-like legs. However, they much prefer to possess mortals, and they can do so by entering the body via cuts and abrasions, no matter how small. Red jade collectors take great care not to injure themselves, which is difficult to do when gathering the sharp-edged mineral.
A red jade spirit in possession of a host can transform the host from a normal-looking humanoid into a feral version of its former self, fanged and clawed with eyes that burn with an unearthly red fire. There is only one thing that a red jade spirit craves, and that is the letting of blood. It gains power from bathing in the blood of intelligent creatures and it enjoys causing pain and suffering. In the Empire of Splendour, the deliberate unleashing of a red jade spirit is a capital crime, and trade in red jade is strictly controlled by the Merchants League. This tends, however, to mean that the red jade trade ends up in the hands of criminal gangs such as the Black River Society who have few qualms about accidentally unleashing dangerous spirits in the course of making a profit.
Red Jade Spirit
Small Undead (Netherworld, Spirit)
Hit Dice: 4d12 (26 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft.
Armor Class: 16 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+0
Attack: Bite melee +5 (1d6+3)
Full Attack: Bite melee +5 (1d6+3)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Blood frenzy, possession (Will DC 13)
Special Qualities: Bloodbath, darkvision 60 ft., discorporation, inhabit red jade, transformation
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +5
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 17, Con -, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 13
Skills: Climb +14, Jump +14, Listen +5, Spot +5
Feats: Improved Initiative, Multiattack
Environment: Spirit Plane
Organization: Solitary or cluster (1d4)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: See below
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 5-8 HD (Small), 9-12 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: —
Combat
In its natural form, a red jade spirit will always attempt to possess a victim first. It does not like to put its own body in danger. If forced to fight in its natural state it uses its bite but attempts to discorporate and flee at the earliest opportunity. When possessing a victim the red jade spirit forces a transformation and attacks with teeth and claws. The first successful attack usually triggers its blood frenzy.
Bloodbath (Su): If a red jade spirit in possession of a host coats itself in the blood from a creature at least as large as the host, it gains a +1 natural armour bonus.
Blood Frenzy (Ex): If blood is spilled near a transformed red jade host, the spirit goes into a frenzy, gaining a +2 profane bonus to attacks and damage, but suffering a -2 penalty to AC. During this frenzy, a spirit may not attempt any skills requiring concentration. The frenzy lasts until the spirit's host or all of its opponents are dead.
Discorporation (Su): A red jade spirit can go ethereal at will, as a free action.
Inhabit Red Jade (Su): A red jade spirit is able to discorporate its body and 'live' in a fragment of the mineral known as red jade. Whilst in this state it is aware of all that goes on around it, and can be spotted using a detect spirits spell. If the red jade is destroyed the spirit is expelled but not harmed. Red jade containing a red jade spirit appears active and registers as faint transmutation magic (alert magicians can discern true active red jade from spirit-infested red jade, since active red jade does not have a school of magic). The red jade becomes inert once the spirit has vacated it.
Possession (Su): A red jade spirit can attempt to possess an opponent as a standard action. Since the red jade spirit enters through wounds, the victim must have suffered the loss of at least one hit point. To possess a victim, a red jade spirit must move into the same space as the victim (which does not provoke an attack of opportunity). The victim must make a Will save DC 13 (10 + 1/2 red jade spirit's Hit Dice + Charisma modifier). If the save fails, the spirit vanishes and the victim is possessed. If the save succeeds the victim is immune to possession attempts by that particular red jade spirit for 24 hours.
A red jade spirit in possession of a host uses its own Wisdom, Intelligence and Charisma ability scores, and its own skills, feats, base saves and base attack bonus. It uses the Strength, Constitution and Dexterity of the host. It cannot use any special abilities of the host, nor cast any spells that the host may know. Killing the host will not destroy the red jade spirit but will force it to manifest.
Possession by a red jade spirit may be overt, in which case the spirit assumes total control of the body (normally undergoing transformation), or it may be covert. With covert possession, the host is in full control but the spirit lurks within his aura (and may be spotted with a detect spirits spell, although a hidden spirit requires a DC 15 Spellcraft or Knowledge (spirits) check to detect). In times of duress, usually when blood is shed, a red jade spirit may attempt to take control of the host. This forces the victim to make another Will save, this time at DC 18 (15 + 1/2 spirits Hit Dice + Charisma modifier). A failed save means that the spirit takes possession. A successful save by the host means that the spirit is forced to remain in covert possession and may not attempt to take control for 24 hours.
Transformation (Su): A red jade in possession of a host can cause a transformation of the host into a savage beast. The host gains a +4 profane bonus to Strength and Constitution. Its teeth elongate into sharp fangs and its nails become iron-hard talons. Its eyes glow red. For a Medium-sized host, the claws cause 1d4 damage and the bite 1d6. For a Small host, the claws cause 1d3 damage and the bite 1d4. The bite is a natural primary attack and the claws a natural secondary attack.
Skills: A red jade spirit gains a +8 racial bonus to Climb and Jump checks. It retains this bonus when in control of a host.
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