Heroic Spirit

This undead spirit belongs to someone who died attempting a great deed or trying to defeat a villain, and it lingers to finish the task or shame that foe. It seldom becomes visible, usually only to wave goodbye when leaving its host.

Living in a host who stays mostly free and unharmed, the spirit sleeps until he faces deadly danger. Then it automatically succeeds with a suggestion to charge in regardless of odds and roars a battle cry through his lips, often a proverb about daring and luck. For the fight the host gains the effects of a potion of super-heroism whatever his class, and must act as boldly and flashily as possible, valuing panache over efficiency. This lasts one round per opponent (4 minimum, 15 maximum); afterward he may withdraw, but stylishly. A host who adopts the spirit's flamboyance may also gain the luck curse-born gift, which works even while the spirit sleeps.

It cannot be attacked or turned, but exorcism can expel it, and a good-aligned one leaves if the host truly asks.

Keeping its living alignment, the spirit speaks only through feelings; DM clues should lead the host to investigate its death and goal. It leaves when the goal is met, when the host gains a level, or when he dies. It prefers shy, quiet people or cowards over swashbucklers and never inhabits someone with a curse-gift leech. If their hosts meet, spirit and leech recognize each other, and if its host will not attack, the spirit takes over with magic jar, possibly forcing a duel to the death.

It has little ecological role. Its first awakening gives the host a one-off 450 XP award, and helping it achieve its goal earns him 1,000 XP more.