Kuei (Lesser Spirit) <(K'uei)>

FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: -4
MOVE: 18"
HIT DICE: 3 to 6
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6/1-8/1-10 or 1-12
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Possession
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 10%
INTELLIGENCE: Average to very
ALIGNMENT See below
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: See below
LEVEL/XP VALUE:
    3 HD: IV/180+3/hp
    4 HD: V/275 + 4/hp
    5 HD: V/405 + 5/hp
    6 HD: VI/725 + 6/hp

A kuei is a spirit of the dead, now in the form of a demon-ghost. This may occur if a person dies
unburied, with his life unfulfilled, or by violence unavenged. It appears exactly as the person did in life with a
solid seeming body. However they cannot be physically touched, as objects pass harmlessly through them.
Although they are not affected by sunlight, they are most active at night. The alignment of a kuei depends on
the nature of the task they must fulfill.

The power of a kuei is dependent upon its hit dice. These powers are listed on the following table:
 
Hit Dice Weapon Needed to Hit Damage
3 HD + 1 1-6
4 HD + 2 1-8
5 HD + 3 1-10
6 HD + 4 1-12

They can become ethereal at will. They also have the ability to possess a person, as per the spell. This
power is usable three times per day. They are immune to ESP and all charm, enchantment, illusion, and water
spells. They are immune to all forms of psionic attack. They suffer no damage from normal fire and cold.
Magical fire and cold only cause half the normal amount of damage.

When encountered, a kuei normally attempts to possess a victim. If this is successful, the form of the
kuei disappears and takes control of the victim. Once the possession is successful, the kuei uses the physical
body to complete whatever task still binds it to the Prime Material Plane. This may be to seek vengeance on its
killer, fulfill an oath, or arrange for the ceremonies in the temple necessary to release it. When fulfilling an oath,
the kuei may remain in possession of the victim for a long time. Indeed, one story is told of a kuei possessing
her sister to fulfill an oath of marriage, remaining with her promised husband for many years before being
discovered. The possession of a kuei can only be broken by the death of the victim, fulfillment of the task, or
exorcism (or other spell intended to drive out spirits). Once the possession is broken, the victim returns to his
normal senses with no knowledge of what has transpired.

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