The Oracle (aka The Stalker)
FREQUENCY— Very Rare
NO. APPEARING—1
A.C.—4
MOVE—9”
HIT DICE—14; 76 Hit Points
% IN LAIR—95%
TREASURE TYPE—See Map
C, The Pit of the Oracle,
Level 2, Rm. #10
NO. OF ATTACKS—3 (5)
Mouth, hands (feet)
DAMAGE/ATTACK—6-36/
1-8/1-8(1-6/1-6)
SPECIAL ATTACKS—Hug,
+2-20 
SPECIAL DEFENSES—See
below
MAGIC RESISTANCE—
Immune to Charms, Geas,
etc. (also see below)
INTELLIGENCE—Average,
but exceedingly cunning
ALIGNMENT—Neutral Evil
SIZE—L (8’ tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY—Nil
Attack/Defense modes—
None, but cannot be
attacked

This creature, which lives in the Pit of the Oracle near the small
town of Narrion, is famous for its predictions, especially those concerning
Narrion’s dread Stalker. Its predictions concerning the
Stalker are very accurate with good reason, for the Oracle, which the
people of the town assume to be an aged prophet, is in actuality the
grotesque Stalker itself, who delights in playing this cat-and-mouse
game with the simple villagers.

As well as being crafty, the creature has a number of powers
which help it perpetrate its Oracle disguise (as well as being extremely
useful all around). They are ESP, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience
and Precognition (which its animal fears prevent it from using
to foresee its own eventual demise).

As the Oracle, the monster speaks in a low, strained whisper
(most often in riddles, this being part of its game, though it will
occasionally speak plainly, but cryptically, just to be perverse), in
either neutral or common. The ability to speak cryptically and in
riddles does not stem from intelligence, however; rather, it stems
from a natural craftiness and cunning that the creature has been
gifted with.

Besides its Oracle abilities, the Stalker has a number of other
special abilities. It can Walk Ethereally twice per day (which is very
useful in raiding the town).

The second set of eyes which rest high upon its brow render it
immune to turning to stone, and life-trapping spells and abilities, by
causing these powers to reflect upon the wielder.

It can see extremely well in complete darkness (up to 120') but
shuns the sunlight, and will usually not venture out into the sun.

But by far its most important advantage over mere mortals is that
long ago, its heart and soul were removed from its body by some
arcane process and placed in a black gem, which resides in a glass
case in its unholy lair. (Map C, The Pit, level 2, room #2) This
process has made it impossible to kill the creature while its heart is
undisturbed, for it regenerates at a rate of 5 HP per melee
round. For all practical purposes. this makes the beast impervious to
any attack the villagers might mount against the Stalker.

If the Soul-Gem is shattered. the monster will still continue to live
for 2-12 melee rounds. after which it will die and crumble to dust in
short order.