FREQUENCY: Very rare
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Dungeon Level VIII])
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 0
MOVE: Variable
HIT DICE: 9 (10-sided dice)
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon type
SPECIAL ATTACKS: [SB]
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB]
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 75% (see below)
INTELLIGENCE: Average - genius
ALIGNMENT: [Chaotic evil]
SIZE: M
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VIII | 3,700 + 16

The death knight --
and there are only twelve of these horrid creatures known to exist --
is a horrifying form of lich created by a demon prince (it is thought [Demogorgon]) from a fallen human paladin.
The death knight itself cannot be turned or dispelled (though it is affected by [holy word]) but it has the power  over undead equivalent to that of a 6th level cleric.
It has 75% magic resistance,
and if 11 or lower is rolled on percentage dice a magic spell will be reflected back at the caster (roll each time a spell is attempted).
 

NOT a Death Knight

The death knight wears light armor (9" or 12" movement depending on its other encumbrance, if any) but it is always treated as armour class 0.
It has 18(00) <link> strength and usually attacks with a sword (80% chance of this being a magical sword.) <link to table>
It will usually be riding a nightmare (see ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS  MONSTER MANUAL -- Nightmare) <edit & link> one of which can be summoned to serve a death knight once every ten years;
the beast will serve a death knight as a paladin's horse serves a paladin.
The fearsome powers of the death knight derive largely from its use of magic.

It continually
    generates fear in a 5' radius,
    can create a [wall of ice] at will and
    has innate powers of [detect magic] and [detect invisibility]

Twice a day it can
    [dispel magic] <C or MU?>
    and [gate] in
        demon type I (20%)
        type II (25%)
        type III (30%)
        type IV (20%)
        type VI (5%),
    with a 75% chance of the [gate] opening. <make links for the above, perhaps with some (%) re-formatting>

Once per day a death knight can use
    any one of the power word spells, <link to a special power word access point page?>
    a symbol of pain/fear <link> and
    generate a 20-dice [fireball].

Where appropriate,
a death knight's magic use is at the 20th experience level.

A death knight will speak 3-6 languages <link to the table in the DMG?> in addition to its alignment tongue and the common tongue.
<relate this to the Average - Genius intelligence level, above?>

    by Charles Stross

Q: Since death knights are a form of
lich, is Lord Soth immune to normal
weapons as liches are? Can Lord
Soth summon demons as noted in
the FIEND FOLIO® tome?
A: Death knights, including Lord Soth, are
affected by normal weapons. Lord Soth
has never been known to summon
demons. Perhaps his ability to control
Soth?s Legions (see module DL8) replaces
this ability, or perhaps Soth simply disdains
the use of demonic aid.
(143.12)

Lord Soth is a death knight of Krynn.
Shan Nikkoleth is a death knight commander of Hellgate Keep in the North of the Forgotten Realms.
Basil Wrathbone (WD93.72)
Igor Mortis (WD93.73)

Lord Soth's Charge