Planar Bestiary
Ysgard nemeses were constructed by dwarves of Ysgard to seek out foes of their realm, especially dragons, and to serve as dangerous training partners against which they could test their own mettle. However, most Ysgard nemeses have since broken free of their original crafters' tight commands. They now roam the planes of existence looking for others to challenge without apparent regard for the merit of that challenge.
Thankfully, only a limited number of Ysgard nemeses remain. Unfortunately, that number is rumored to be just short of a thousand individual constructs. Worse, they apparently come back once destroyed and, if they can, try to track down those responsible for destroying them during their previous interaction.
Motive: Overcome great challenges
Environment: Anywhere in the multiverse, alone or in fireteams of two or three
Health: 21
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (5 points)
Armor: 3 (including Intellect damage)
Movement: Short; short when flying
Modifications: Speed defense as level 4 due to large size; Intellect defense as level 9
Combat: A Ysgard nemesis attacks twice each round with their metallic fists. A hit inflicts a moderate wound (4 points) plus 1 point of damage from cold. In addition, a lingering chill hinders all the victim's physical tasks on their next turn if the victim fails a Might defense task.
A nemesis's mere presence creates slippery, icy conditions. When they wish, as part of the same action they attack with their fists, the ground within immediate range of them is coated in a thin layer of ice for several minutes, turning it into difficult terrain. Each creature that begins their turn in or enters the affected area must succeed at a Speed defense task or fall prone.
About once each minute, a Ysgard nemesis can emit the essence of Ysgard's icy caverns, filling an adjacent area a short distance in diameter with penetrating cold. Creatures in the area that fail a Might defense task take 7 points of damage or 3 points even with a successful defense task.
If a Ysgard nemesis is destroyed and their helm or some other portion of their metallic armor remains afterward, the nemesis rebuilds a new body in 1d10 days from that piece, regaining all health and becoming active again. This rebuilding can be prevented by completely destroying the armor, such as by melting it down in a forge, volcano, or in the Plane of Fire.
A Ysgard nemesis is immune to cold and poison attacks.
Interaction: A Ysgard nemesis is drawn to stories of heroism, vengeance, and myths. If offered a chance to help a character achieve a similar end, a nemesis may help the character rather than offer that character a challenge by combat. They speak most common languages and the language of angels (Celestial).
Use: An age ago, the tomb of a dwarven king was covered by an avalanche and forgotten. Recently, a map of that tomb reappeared. A treasure hunter with the map seeks allies to help them find and enter the tomb. The map warns, somewhat mysteriously, that those who violate the tomb "reap Ysgard's enmity."
GM Intrusion: If the Ysgard nemesis is defeated, an ice storm spirals from the creature's form. All creatures within immediate range take 7 points of damage from the penetrating cold.