Gray Men

I have no idea what has been writen about Nyzander's Gray Men. Your comments during the Third Crusades campaign have been percolating in my head for a while. This is not complete. I just wanted to see what you thought (and what you have writen) before finishing it (if you want me to).

The Gray Men

While most scholars will tell you that the Gray Men were destroyed by the Titans and the Cult of Cintivalis, they continue to hold a place in popular culture. There has been no evidence of the existence of a Gray Man for 1500 years. But even today, rumors persist that the Gray Men continue to do their dark work. The latest death to be ascribed to them was the untimely death of the Sennac Messiah, Kollette Desmaris during the Third Crusade. Whether or not they actually exist or have simply become a kind of bogeyman in the minds of many, is a matter for speculation. There are, however, certain historical facts known to be true about the Gray Men. They were the creation of the Dominion Nyzander and he used them, with great effect, to further his own ends. The exact method of their creation is believed to have been lost to history. Though, if they do exist today, this may not be the case. Historically speaking, it is known that Nyzander selected the prospects himself and that many died in the process. Whether being selected was a punishment or a reward is unknown but the prospects were forever changed. In one description of the ritual, it is said that the prospect’s soul was ripped from its body only to be later returned after certain procedures and spells had been performed on the soulless yet living flesh. In other reports, the newly created Gray Man’s eyes took on a peculiar and disturbing countenance and an eerie blur seemed to follow his passing, as if the Gray Man’s soul was somehow out of alignment with the Gray Man’s body. This blur is said to have been created by the removal of the man’s soul. Once removed, a soul never again fit the flesh properly. Their disturbing presence seems to have enhanced their ability to cause terror. An encounter with a Gray Man was rarely survived and was definitely never pleasant.

1st ~ Death attack, Disturb
3rd ~ Constant Pain, Alien Mind
5th ~ Two-dimensional
7th ~ Two-dimensional (2)
10th ~ One-dimensional

Disturb: Being in the presence of a Gray Man is very disturbing. There is something clearly unnatural about them. A Gray Man gains the ability to cause fear, as per the spell, once per day. He is able to use this ability twice per day at second and gains one further use per day at every even numbered level (4,6,8,10). Furthermore, a Gray Man suffers a -5 penalty to all skill checks associated with social interactions that do not involve fear. He gains a +5 bonus to intimidate checks.

Constant Pain: Enduring the trials of his creation has left a mark on the Gray Man. He has come through one of the most painful experiences imaginable. That pain continues to haunt him as his ill fitting soul tugs at his mind and flesh. The Gray Man becomes immune to all fear effects. He gains an unnaturally high tolerance for pain. Torture has little impact on the Gray man. In any situation or spell where pain is present, the Gray Man gains a +5 bonus to all saves.

Alien Mind: The Gray Man’s ill fitting soul makes it difficult for mind effects to have any impact. The Gray Man becomes immune to all charm spells and gains a +5 bonus to any saving throws involving mind effects.

Two-dimensional: The Gray Man learns to use his soul to manipulate his living flesh. He gains the ability to make himself paper thin along his width. Whenever the Gray Man turns sideways it is as if he completely disappears. As time goes by, the Gray Man learns to use this ability to increasing effect. He may use this ability at will to slip between doors and door frames or to observe a target without being seen. Turning sideways also has the same effect as having the spell Greater Invisibility, cast upon him. He may also turn sideways to avoid attack. The Gray Man gains the Evasion ability (see PHB p51). This ability to become two-dimensional has no effect whenever an opponent faces the Gray Man directly and its effect becomes limited whenever an opponent observes the Gray Man from an angle. In such situations, the Gray Man is visible but very thin and blurry. Treat the Gray Man as having cover, +4 to AC and a 15% miss chance. This is not invisibility per se and therefore magic that reveals invisibility has no effect though magic that shows things as they are still reveals the presence of a Gray Man.

Two-dimensional (2): The Gray Man’s skills continue to improve and he gets better at using his ill fitting soul to manipulate his flesh. Whenever an opponent views a two-dimensional Gray Man from an angle the Gray Man’s AC increases by +6 and the miss chance increases to 25%. He gains the Improved Evasion ability.

One-dimensional: The Gray Man’s ability to manipulate his flesh reaches its pinnacle. The Gray Man may now collapse his flesh on two-dimensions. He becomes one-dimensional and can longer be seen from any angle.