Graveborn (4e Creature)

Graveborn Exemplar of Orcus Tactics

An exemplar of Orcus enters combat from hiding, if possible, using its death's harbinger attack to strike as many enemies as it can. In subsequent rounds, it attempts to remain at the limits of it's reach, attacking with terrifying whispers whenever possible. When the exemplar's shadow cloak is triggered, it typically directs it's next attack at the triggering creature. Graveborn fear destruction above all else, so the exemplar of Orcus will flee if reduced to 23 or fewer hit points.

Graveborn Muse Level 13 leader Controller
Medium shadow humanoid (undead) XP 800
Initiative +9	Senses Perception +8, darkvision
HP 129; Bloodied 64
AC 27; Fortitude 25, Reflex 25, Will 26
Speed 6
Dagger
Effect: +18 vs. AC; 2d4 + 6 damage.
Chorus of the Damned
Effect: Range 10; +17 vs. Will; 2d8 + 6 psychic damage, and the target is pushed 2 squares.
Flute ♦ at-will
Effect: Close burst 5; defened creatures are immune, the muse plays one of the following tunes on her flute. Morbid Dirge: Enemies within the burst take a -2 penalty to saving throws until the end of the muse' next turn. Battle Hymn: Allies within the burst gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and a +2 bonus to damage rolls until the end of the muse' next turn. Ode to Certain Doom: Targets one enemy in burst; +17 vs. Will; target is slowed and has vulnerable 5 to all damage until the end of the muse' next turn. The muse must make a new attack roll when she sustains this effect.
Skills Arcana +12, Bluff +17, Insight +13
Str 13 (+7)	Dex 16 (+9)	Wis 15 (+8)
Con 17 (+9)	Int 13 (+7)	Cha 18 (+10)
Alignment Unaligned	Languages Common
Equipment dagger, flute, cloth armour

Graveborn Muse Tactics

The muse is perfectly content to stand back and allow the restless dead to speak for her, using chorus of the damned. Once battle is joined, she allows her allies to tear into any threat, bolstering their efforts with her battle hymns. If it becomes apparent that one or two enemies are struggling against the after-effects of an attack, she will play a morbid durge to ensure they fall. Should any enemy come too close, she would sooner call for aid while performing the ode to certain doom than resort to her dagger. As a graveborn, she fears destruction above all else and will flee if brought to 32 hit points or fewer.

Graveborn Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Religion check.

DC 15: Graveborn universally dread the Raven Queen and her servants. Oftentimes, fear festers and turns to hatred - a hatred shared by Orcus. These graveborn find a natural home amongst his cultists, some becoming exemplars of Orcus. So perfect is the partnership, that some believe the Prince of Blood plays a part in all graveborn's escape from death.

DC 20: Some graveborn learn to extend their "gift" to others, broadcasting the insidious whispers of malevolent spirits to their foes. Exemplars of Orcus show their innate connection to the energies of the Shadowfell by surrounding themselves in its shadowstuff. The resulting clouds of darkness both conceal them and expose their foes to corruption. Muses draw upon the ubiquitous voices of the deceased for inspiration, channeling their energy to bring swift death to all who would oppose them.

Encounter Groups

Graveborn exemplars of Orcus associate with other servants of Orcus and undead creatures, those who understand their dark hatred. Graveborn muses often associate with banshrae, whose passion for music is not tained by a hatred of undeath.