Psychopomp, Vanth

This looming black skeleton wraps itself in the wings of a giant black raven, and a vulture-like mask of polished ceramic gazes balefully from where its skull should be. Without a gesture, a wickedly curved scythe appears in its elongated fingers.

Vanth CR 7

XP 3,200
N Medium outsider (extraplanar, psychopomp)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, spiritsense; Perception +16; Aura fear (30 ft., DC 17)

DEFENSE

AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+3 Dex, +7 natural)
hp 76 (9d10+27)
Fort +11, Ref +6, Will +10
DR 10/adamantine; Immune death effects, disease, poison; Resist cold 10, electricity 10; SR 18

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., fly 50 ft. (average)
Melee +1 adamantine scythe +14/+9 (2d4+7/×4) or 2 claws +13 (1d6+4)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th; concentration +13)

At will—deathwatch, greater teleport (self plus 50 lbs. of objects only), invisibility (self only)
3/day—bestow curse (DC 17), locate creature, searing light

STATISTICS

Str 18, Dex 16, Con 17, Int 13, Wis 19, Cha 17
Base Atk +9; CMB +13; CMD 26
Feats Cleave, Great Fortitude, Hover, Power Attack, Vital Strike
Skills Acrobatics +9, Fly +11, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (history) +9, Knowledge (planes) +13, Knowledge (religion) +13, Perception +16, Sense Motive +16, Stealth +15
Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal
SQ reaper’s scythe, spirit touch

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Fear Aura (Su)

A creature of fewer than 10 Hit Dice that fails its save (DC 17) against the vanth’s fear aura is shaken for as long as it remains within the aura. A creature that succeeds at its save is immune to that vanth’s aura for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Reaper’s Scythe (Su)

Every vanth carries a distinctive adamantine scythe as both a weapon and a symbol of its duty. When the vanth wields its own scythe, the weapon gains a +1 enhancement bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls. As a free action, the vanth can summon its weapon from a personal demiplane or any other location and have it appear in its hands instantly. It can also dismiss its scythe back to its personal demiplane as a free action. If a vanth’s scythe is destroyed, it can summon a new one in 24 hours.

ECOLOGY

Environment any (Purgatory)
Organization solitary, pair, or flock (2–12)
Treasure double (adamantine scythe)

Stern, silent, and cloaked in ragged black wings, vanth psychopomps serve as stoic guardians of Purgatory and watchers along the routes of the dead. A vanth looks like a black skeleton with ravenlike wings and a mask resembling a vulture’s skull.

Also known as reapers, angels of death, or amzranei, vanths protect the departed from those wishing to eat or steal their mortal souls, recapture escaped souls trying to flee their assigned fates, and are death’s foot soldiers against whatever would disrupt the natural cycle of mortality. They may also guard the dead and death’s assets, such as forgotten cemeteries, unattended mausoleums, and sacred groves.

A vanth weighs 400 pounds and stands 8 feet tall, though its slumped posture means it can look most adult humanoids in the eye. Vanths are ancient creatures, perhaps predating the current gods of death, and are rumored to be ascended souls of a distant world of death-worshiping soldiers. They rarely speak or show emotion and their hollow voices carry unnaturally far. A vanth’s scythe is a badge of its station, reflecting its role as a harvester of souls. It features symbols in a language that was already lost when the death gods claimed Purgatory.

Most outsiders scorn vanths, as the psychopomps have no concern for law, rightfulness, or personal gain—only duty. Vanths view any outsider visiting Purgatory as a potential threat, and stalk angels and demons alike.