View source for Publication:Dread Codex/Monsters/Soulless One

=== In Your Campaign ===

Some undead are powerful, others are creepy, and then there are those like the soulless ones that cover both categories. This monster is guaranteed to throw fear into the hearts of players and characters alike if used under the right conditions. These undead need an appropriately spooky place to hang out in order to do so. You should feel free to turn the lights down low for an adventure featuring a soulless one. And while they don't speak languages (which in itself can be creepy), it might serve the fear factor more if they had some kind of shared noise. If you hunker down behind the GM's screen and whisper something like, "Shanasss" as the soulless one manifests (or attacks), it can give you that extra fear-inspiring mile.

The origins of the soulless one lie with a young woman who once carried the child of a purportedly-celibate priest. Angry that his sin might be exposed to his superiors, the priest attacked and nearly killed the young woman. Days later, she gave premature birth to a stillborn child, who was taken by the "Dark Ones" to become the very first soulless one. Every hundred years, it returns to the material plane and slays three of the same priest's clergy in a random temple over the course of three nights.

The Dark Ones can be whatever you want them to be — extraplanar baddies, an undead deity (and its secretive cult), or even other undead like liches. This sinister group takes in not only stillborn children but other wayward souls in their efforts to produce powerfully evil undead minions. Whether left on their own (like the soulless ones) or given specific missions, these products of the Dark Ones' power are still susceptible to being recalled to their master's side at a moment's notice.
Alignment	Always chaotic evil +
Challenge Rating	13 +
Environment	Any +
Level Adjustment	— +
Size	Medium +
Subtype	Incorporeal +
Title	Soulless One +
Type	Undead +