Spectral Wizard

A spectral wizard keeps its living appearance, but drained almost entirely of color, and the clothes it died in are as ghostly as its body. In strong light it is all but invisible; in the dark it gives off an eerie glow.

Because part of its being lies on the Ethereal Plane, only spells, silver or magical weapons, or ethereal opponents can hurt it. It has AC 0 whether insubstantial or solid, but if fought on the Ethereal Plane its AC is only 8.

Its touch numbs one limb, making it useless for 2d4 rounds. Roll 1d4 to see which: a 1 is the right arm, 2 the left arm, 3 the right leg and 4 the left leg (reroll a limb already struck). Simply standing within 10 feet makes patches of skin prickle with pins and needles, costing -1 on attack rolls.

By concentrating, the wizard can turn solid so it can wield weapons and use material components. In the dark this needs a single round; under strong light, such as the sun or a continual light spell, it needs 2d4 rounds. Components it carries go insubstantial with it and become real again when it does.

The process that creates one permanently strips 1d4 levels, and it casts at that reduced level for good. Those casting at 5th level or higher count as high level for experience awards. Death magic, paralyzation, polymorph, fear, cold, hold, charm and sleep cannot touch it, and it is turned as a spectre.

These undead can turn up anywhere, often lairing in the homes they had in life or near living wizards. All keep memorizing from spellbooks and scrolls, and many invent spells or magic items, though their ghostly state makes study a struggle.

Any neutral alignment is possible, yet only about 5% are neutral good; most lean to neutral evil. Something about their half-real existence seems to unbalance the mind and drag it toward neutral evil.

A unique spell makes them, and it works only on a body that has carried wizard magic before: human or elven wizards and gnomish illusionists. Being artificial, spectral wizards fill no natural niche.