Deathbinder 7 (21)

High Noon at Midnight

Alchemists who learn enough science and magic to retain corporeal existence after death, like risen, might transition to necrovore status. Unlike a risen, a deathbinder ensures their eternal existence by placing splinters of their soul into six bullets chambered in a "soul pistol." If all six bullets are fired, the deathbinder is finally destroyed.

Two pistols are holstered on a deathbinder's gun belt. the deathbinder's soul pistol, which they reserve for special circumstances, and their "workaday" six shooter, loaded with unique alchemical rounds.

A deathbinder usually resides alone, herding cursed beasts or forgeborn creatures of their own creation, probably astride a fleshmare.

Motive: Continue alchemical studies and magical collection without interruption

Environment: Wilderness, ghost towns, and other underpopulated areas

Health: 27

Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (7 points)

Armor: 2

Movement: Short

Combat: A deathbinder attacks twice each round with long range pistol attacks.

The deathbinder also has most or all of the following attacks and traits.

• Alchemical Pistol. Targets hit by a "workaday" pistol shot take damage and, on a failed Might or Intellect defense roll, suffer one additional effect:
  • Target is frozen in amber until they can escape.
  • Deathbinder learns one of the target's secrets.
  • Target is teleported to a pre prepared nearby location.
• Soul Pistol. Under extreme circumstances, a deathbinder may fire a precious bullet from their soul pistol, hoping they'll have a chance later to rebind the liberated soul energy. A bullet from the soul gun has all of the following deadly traits:
  • Automatically hits target within long range—a targeted PC should get a GM Intrusion for this attack.
  • The soul round deals damage and the character descends two steps on the damage track, or one step on a successful Might defense roll.
  • Target is cursed on a failed Intellect defense roll.
• Alchemical Resurrection. If destroyed, a deathbinder usually reforms within 1d6 days unless all six bullets from their soul pistol are fired.

Interaction: Deathbinders don't cotton to interruptions because the reason they chose undeath in the first place was to pursue a specialized purpose—usually, even deeper secrets of alchemy and/or collecting more unique magical artifacts and treasures.

Use: A herd of ghost cattle wanders into town and causes problems. Folks say it's the fault of the "lich cowboy" who lives out in the wastes.

Loot: The deathbinder's pistols have uniquely powerful rounds loaded in them; roll once on the Alchemical Rounds and Slugs table.

GM Intrusion: The deathbinder makes an extra pistol attack even if it's not their turn.