Artwork by Eric Lofgren.
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Loesung the Vampire Hunter (CR 13) Male Gray Elf Brd3/Rgr5/Ftr5 N Medium humanoid Init: +7 Senses: Blind-Fight, low-light vision; Listen +5, Spot +6 Languages: Elven, Goblin, Common, Draconic, Sylvan AC: 21, touch 13, flat-footed 18 hp: 63 (13 HD); DR: none Fort +9; Ref +11, Will +9 Spd: 20 ft. Melee: +4 elven undead bane thinblade +18/13/8 (1d8+7) Ranged: alchemist's fire +15/10/5 (1d6)or holy water +7 +15/10/5 (2d4) Space: 5ft.; Reach 5 ft. Base Atk: +12; Grp +13 Attack Options: Special Atk: Favored enemy: undead (+4), favored enemy: evil outsider (+2) Combat Gear: +3 elven chain, +4 intelligent elven thinblade, intelligent brooch of shielding, boots of elvenkind, cloak of elvenkind, scabbard of keen edges, phylactery of undead turning Bard Spells Prepared (CL 5th, +13 melee touch, +15 ranged touch): 1st-cure light wounds, disguise self, expeditious retreat 0-daze, detect magic, know direction, light, message, read magic Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 2nd, +13 melee touch, +15 ranged touch): 1st-pass without trace Abilities: Str 12, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 12 SQ: Immunity: Sleep Effects (Ex), Low-light Vision (Ex), +2 Saves vs. Enchantment Spells and Effects Feats: Armor Proficiency: heavy, Armor Proficiency: light, Armor Proficiency: medium, Blind-Fight, Combat Reflexes, Craft Wondrous Item, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Toughness, Tower Shield Proficiency, Track, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus: Longsword, Weapon Specialization: Longsword Skills: Appraise +5, Balance +3, Bluff +5, Climb +3, Concentration +5, Craft (Armorsmithing) +7, Craft (Weaponsmithing) +7, Decipher Script +5, Diplomacy +5, Disable Device +3, Escape Artist +2, Forgery +5, Gather Information +5, Heal +5, Hide +8, Intimidate +7, Jump +3, Knowledge (Arcana) +4, Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) +4, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +4, Knowledge (Geography) +4, Knowledge (History) +4, Knowledge (Local) +4, Knowledge (Nature) +4, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Knowledge (The Planes) +4, Listen +5, Move Silently +8, Ride +5, Search +6, Sense Motive +6, Sleight of Hand +2, Spellcraft +5, Spot +6, Survival +6, Swim +2, Tumble +4, Use Rope +5 Possessions: +3 elven chain, +4 intelligent elven thinblade, intelligent brooch of shielding, boots of elvenkind, cloak of elvenkind, scabbard of edges, phylactery of undead turning, 10 flasks of holy water, 10 vials of alchemist's fire. Unvegmoerder ("Immortal Slayer") LN +4 undead bane elven thinblade Languages: Empathy Abilities: Int 8, Wis 3, Cha 7, Ego 10 SQ: Detect undead at will, special purpose: slay vampires, +6 vs. undead and inflicts an additional 2d6 damage Himgewissen ("Heaven's Conscience") LN brooch of shielding Languages: Elven, Common, Telepathy Abilities: Int 12, Wis 9, Cha 15, Ego 9 SQ: +10 ranks in Sense Motive, special purpose: slay vampires, absorb 100 points of magic missile |
"How old are you…exactly?" - Himgewissen, on meeting a suspected vampire.
Loesung is an elf who has wandered his lands for centuries. Extremely long-lived, he is an embittered, tired warrior who would like nothing less than an honorable death. Loesung's elven lineage is uncertain. It is possible he is the last of his kind. His skin is entirely gray, his pupils silver. A jagged scar runs the width of his throat. He is over 1,000 years old-there are crude pictographs of him in ancient books, stained glass paintings in cathedral windows, and carvings of his likeness that flank sanctuary entrances.
A long time ago, Loesung was someone else. He was a loving father, a faithful husband, and a talented musician. But he has forsaken all these things after his life was changed forever one horrible day. Loesung was well traveled and he enjoyed the adoration of the nearby human villages. It was during one of his infrequent trips, once a century, that he recognized a man whom he had seen nearly 100 years before.
The vampire, Todesfaelle, realized his ruse was in danger of being exposed. Before Loesung could truly comprehend what he had witnessed, a huge pack of wolves descended upon his remote farmstead. On that day, Loesung's entire family was slaughtered before his eyes. Todesfaelle slit Loesung's throat personally and left him for dead.
But he did not die. In the years that followed, Loesung crafted new tools, infused with the vengeful spirits of his kin. His father became Himgewissen and his young son became Unvegmoerder. Loesung is the sworn enemy of all vampires. Tireless, sleepless, and seemingly ageless, he plays the eternal cat-and-mouse game, tracking vampires to their lairs. Loesung suffers from black moods and depression, taking little joy in his existence and only smiling when he ends the unlife of a vampire. He moves in slow, measured steps, but when combat requires it, Loesung can move at frightening speeds.
With his throat cut, Loesung is incapable of speech. Himgewissen speaks for him in a hollow, somber voice. While Himgewissen is wise and calm, Unvegmoerder is impetuous and violent. When Unvegmoerder wishes to be released in combat, the eyes of its scabbard flash red. Loesung rarely ignores his weapon's wishes.
Loesung would like nothing less than to join his family and friends in the afterlife. But Todesfaelle is still out there. While Loesung has killed more vampires than he can count, they are only Todesfaelle's spawn. Their battle has spanned three centuries already and will probably continue for centuries to come.