Monster Monday: Death Dancer

Death Dancer               CR 12

The uncanny appearance of this horrific goatlike creature sends chills through all. 
XP 19,200
CE Large Outsider (evil, extraplanar)

Init +6; Senses Darkvision 60 ft; Perception +25
Defense
AC 30, touch 21, flat-footed 27 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +8 natural, deflection +9, -1 size)
hp 152 (16d10+64)
Fort +14, Ref +10, Will +11

Resist fire 10, cold 20, Immune poison
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee Ram horn +21 (2d6+7), or 2 hooves +19 (1d8+7+enervating dance), or +1 unholy flail (2d6 +8 and +2d6 against good creatures, + enervating dance)
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 28
Base Atk +16; CMB +21, CMD 34
Feats Improved Initiative, Dodge, Weapon focus (flail), lightning reflexes, mobility,

spring attack, skill focus (perception), weapon specialization (flail)
Skills  Bluff +26, Diplomacy +23,  Intimidate +23, Knowledge (arcana) +18, Knowledge (planes) +21, Knowledge (religion) +11, Perception +25, Perform (dance) +28, Spellcraft +18, Use Magic Device +23
Languages Common, Abyssal, Infernal, Telepathy 100 ft.

Special Abilities

Enervating Weapon (SU): When the death dancer hits with its hooves or flail, the enemy must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 27) or gain one negative level. If the enemy is slain by this attack, it rises as a death dancer lacking a magic weapon and with the young template in 1d3 minutes. The DC is Charisma-based and includes a +4 racial bonus.

Death Dance (SU): When using spring attack, the death dancer may attack with both hooves as it jumps on its opponent and leaps away.

Do Not Harm The Dancer (SU): as it dances across the battlefield, a death dancer gains a deflection bonus to AC equal to its Charisma bonus. This bonus ceases to function if the death dancer is immobilized by a spell or effect.

Ecology

Environment any land (extraplanar)

Organization solitary or dancing pair

Treasure standard plus +1 unholy flail

The death dancer is a rare and horribly evil being whose purpose is to dispense death. Newly created dancers disappear into the void between planes, there to learn horrific rituals that will bring about death and madness in the entire world. These creatures rarely remain at the site of a kill, appearing and disappearing only to commit murder.

Notes

Intended as a frightening and enigmatic monster, the death dancer should be used carefully. It will work best as a macabre being stumbled upon in a remote location or as a hunter seeking the death of someone important. You just don’t want the beast to come off as silly instead of creepy.

-Max