Merineth the Grasping

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Melineth the Grasping is powerful-looking figure with a broad chest, hulking shoulders, and long gangling arms. His face is blocky and ruggedly handsome despite a flat orcish nose, thick jutting brow, and dark goat horns curling up from his hairline. He has a robust build and clear skin. Only his scabrous wings and rancid black breath hint at his true nature as the Scourge of Pestilence,
Melineth the Grasping was once Melineth Turcasson, father-in-law to King Duar. Melineth became a ghazneth sometime after 429 DR, when he took advantage of his son-in-law's trust to sell the entire city Of Suzail for 500 sacks of gold.
==Combat==
Melineth is more than willing to fight—provided he stands to gain something. He usually tries to secure an advantage over his foes, attacking from the air or using his power to disorient and weaken them.
Melineth receives a —4 initiative bonus during any round he is not surprised, while his substantial Strength (18/80) gives him a +4 damage bonus. Melineth suffers damage only from weapons made of cold-forged iron, regenerates up to 8 points of damage per round, and absorbs any magic used against him. (See the introduction for details.)
During any round in which he has the initiative, Melineth can allow his opponent the first action. If the opponent casts a spell at him, he can take refuge behind a wing and negate the effects of the spell while still absorbing its levels. He suffers the full effects of any spell striking him in the body, though only for as long as it takes to absorb the spell levels.
Melineth's primary weapon is the power of Pestilence. See the Ecology section for details on this power
==Habitat/Society==
Having spent the last 938 years alone in a small tomb crammed with 500 sacks of gold, Melineth is determined to avail himself of more comfortable surroundings. He is currently searching for an out-of-the-way keep where he can store his wealth and rest in comfort. A miser and loner, he does not enjoy the company of his fellow ghazneths and cooperates with them only because they'll steal his gold if he doesn't.
==Ecology==
Melineth covets magic almost as much as he covets gold and passes every day searching for both. At 938 years of age, he can store up to 938 levels.
For each level he expends, he can:
# Detect magic up to 94 miles away for one day; or
# For one turn, automatically cause any creature within 94 yards to make a Constitution check or fall ill (see combat above); or 
# Regenerate 8 points; or
# Render any creature within 9 yards of himself instantly infirm; such beings fall into a feverish torpor, cannot perform even the simplest acts for themselves, and must be cared for by someone else. Victims must make a successful saving throw vs. death magic every 24 hours or die; or 
# Cause any body part he touches to wither; touched victims must make a successful saving throw vs. petrification, failure indicating the touched area withers and cannot be employed for any purpose. If a cure disease is not cast on the affected area within 24 hours, it becomes permanently useless (until restored by a regenerate spell). If the area touched is the chest, neck, or head, the victim dies within 1d6 rounds unless attended to by a cleric or another person with healing proficiencies
Category:Creatures
Category:Dragon Magazine Creatures