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Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/mummy

Name:
	Mummy  (Undead Creature)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 2-8
	Climate/Terrain: Desert subterranean
	Frequency      : Rare
	Organization   : Pack
	Activity Cycle : Night
	Diet           : Nil

Description:
	Mummies are corpses native to dry desert areas, where the dead are en-
	tombed by a process known as mummification. When their tombs are dis-
	turbed, the corpses become animated into a weird unlife state, whose
	unholy hatred of life causes them to attack living things without mer-
	cy. Mummies are usually (but not always) clothed in rotting strips of
	linen. They stand between 5 and 7 feet tall and are supernaturally
	strong.

Combat:
	Mummies are horrific enemies. A single blow from one's arm can inflict
	severe damage, and worse, its scabrous touch infects a victim with a
	rotting disease which is fatal in 1-6 months. For each month the rot
	progresses, the victim permanently loses 2 points of charisma. The dis-
	ease can be cured only with a cure disease spell. Cure wounds spells
	have no effect on a person inflicted with mummy rot and his wounds heal
	at 10% of the normal rate. A regenerate spell will restore damage but
	will not otherwise affect the course of the disease.

	The mere sight of a mummy causes such terror in any creature that a
	saving throw versus spell must be made or the victim becomes paralyzed
	for 1 to 4 rounds. Numbers will bolster courage; for each six creatures
	present, the saving throw is eased by one point.

	Mummies can be harmed only by magical weapons, which inflict only half
	damage. Sleep, charm, hold and cold-based spells have no effect. Poison
	and paralysis do not harm them. A resurrection spell will turn the
	creature into a normal human (a fighter at 7th level ability) with the
	memories of its former life; or will have no effect if the mummy is ol-
	der than the maximum age the priest can resurrect. A wish will also
	restore a mummy to human form buy a remove curse will not.

	Mummies are vulnerable to fire, even nonmagical varieties. A blow with
	a torch inflicts some damage, a flask of burning oil even more, Magical
	fires and vials of holy water are also useful, if they hit.

	Any creature kileld by a mummy rots immediately and cannot be raised
	from death unless both a cure disease and a raise dead spell are cast
	within six rounds.

Habitat/Society:
	Mummies are the product of an embalming process used on wealthy and
	important personages. Most mummies are corpses without magical proper-
	ties. On occasion, perhaps due to powerful evil magic or perhaps be-
	cause the individual was so greedy in life that he refuses to give up
	his treasure, the spirit of the mummified person will not die and is
	transformed into an undead horror. Most mummies remain dormant until
	their treasure is taken, but then they become aroused and kill without
	mercy.

	A mummy lives in its ancient burial chamber, usually in the heart of a
	crypt or pyramid. The tomb is a complex series of chambers filled with
	relicts (mostly nonmagical). These relicts include models of the mum-
	my's possessions, favourite items and treasures, the bodies of dead
	pets, and foodstuffs to feed the spirit after death. Particularly evil
	people will have slaves or family members slain when they die so the
	slaves can be buried with them.

Ecology:
	To create a mummy, a corpse should be soaked in a preserving solution
	(typically carbonate of soda) for several weeks and covered with spices
	and resins. Body organs, such as the heart, brain, and liver, are typi-
	cally removed and sealed in jars. Sometimes gems are wrapped in the
	cloth (if the treasure listing for the mummy indicates it possesses
	gems, a few may be placed in the wrappings). Mummies are not part of
	the natural ecosystem and have no natural enemies.

	Mummy dust is a component for rotting and disease magical items.