Vodou Master

Characteristics

Combat Behavior

Monster Description

The Vodou Master is a dark figure shrouded in mystery, adorned with a half skull mask and flowing black robes that glide eerily behind him. Whispers of hidden curses and ancient powers accompany his presence, as the air around him thickens with dread. It is said that he possesses direct connections to the realm of the dead, able to awaken and control the lifeless bodies that wander the earth as his minions. His voice, a chilling echo, breathes life into their decaying forms, allowing him to command a small army of the damned. The Vodou Master often lurks in swamps and graveyards, places of darkness and despair, where he can draw not only upon the dead but also the sorrow of the living to fuel his dark magic.

Monster behavior

The Vodou Master prefers to manipulate his surroundings, summoning zombies to distract and confuse his enemies while he casts spells from a distance. When engaged in combat, he tends to target the most vulnerable opponent, using his skills in deception and intimidation to sow chaos amongst the ranks of his foes. He rarely fights directly, instead, he commands his minions and uses powerful spells to maintain control over the battlefield. If he senses defeat, he will retreat using the shadows and curse any escaping foes with lingering afflictions that may return to haunt them in the future. He often sets traps with undead minions, waiting for the unsuspecting adventurer to stumble into his web of despair.

Ecology

In the balance of nature, the Vodou Master plays a crucial role, often seen as a dark counterpart to the guardians of life. He is a harbinger of the fragile line between life and death, using his necromantic abilities to maintain an unnatural order. The zombies he creates provide both a method of imparting his will upon the world and a means to sustain his power, as the life essence of the manipulated adds to his dark strength. However, this endless unraveling of the natural order leads to an imbalance, paving the way for chaos as life is taken and the dead seldom rest peacefully. Many shamans and priests seek to thwart his influence to restore the natural balance of their worlds.

History

Legends speak of the Vodou Master as once being a powerful necromancer who faced an untimely demise at the hands of those who dared to oppose him. However, instead of finding peace in death, he descended into a realm of darkness, gaining powers that surpassed the limits of mortality. Rumors circulated that he was awoken during rituals performed by unsuspecting cults intending to reach out to spirits, inadvertently calling forth a being far more sinister than they could imagine. Though not a common sight, the Vodou Master sometimes emerges from the shadows to lead great zombie hordes into battle, leaving destruction in his wake. His motives remain enigmatic, but it is clear he seeks to increase his dominion over the living and the dead alike, perpetuating a cycle of fear that keeps the living in check. Some believe he could very well be the aspect of death itself, manipulating the minds of the living until they break, and urging them to join him in his dark crusade."},