Ethereal or phase creatures are distinguished by their "ethereal jaunt" trait, which enables them to rapidly "phase" in and out of the ethereal plane. The most famous ethereal creatures are the ethereal filcher, ethereal marauder and phase spider. Many other kinds exist, often variants of material species like horses and rats, while others are unique to the ethereal plane.
Ethereal venomous vermin, such as phase spiders and phase rats, are so common that they have earned the classification of "phase vermin." (It also pokes fun at the fact that these monsters are generally annoying stupid gimmicks.)
Ethereal creatures are an all-purpose nuisance for adventurers. Some sages suggest they were created by the trickster god or a mean-spirited dungeon lord.
- Ethereal filchers are so named because they seemingly exist solely to steal trinkets from adventurers and then vanish into the ether. It is a cousin to the temporal filcher and an otyugh-kin.
- Ethereal marauders, phase spiders, and dimensional horrors perform hit and run attacks on their prey. Their ethereal jaunt trait allows them to avoid any counterattack, in some cases even bringing grabbed prey with them to isolate and devour at leisure. The ethereal assassin is a homunculus created precisely to exploit this capability, typically for assassination as the same implies. The xill (based on the ixtl from Voyage of the Space Beagle) are terrifying fiends that enter the material plane to find hosts for their eggs.
- The ethereal rat is a curious variant of the typical rat that is distinguished from other phase vermin by its venom, which causes the afflicted to become ethereal themselves. The ethereal adder has venom with similar properties.
- The hypnalis, or ether serpent, is a naga that seemingly exists solely to police the boundaries of the ether and force intruders (i.e. adventurers) back to the material world. (That is a pretty stupid monster by the way.)
- The phase stallion (which includes both mares and stallions) is similar to other horses, save that they use ethereal jaunt to defend themselves from predators. They may be trained if reared early enough and are highly prized as steeds for their ethereal jaunt.
- The thought eater, and their thought slayer variant, is a relative of the platypus that feeds on mental energy, and if provided with consistent meals it may become something of a companion. The unrelated slumber
constrictor is an ethereal snake that feeds on the mental energy of sleepers.
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| Dimensional Horror, Star*Drive |
Many more creatures exist in the ethereal plane, far too many for me to track here.
Sourcebooks
- Ethereal filcher, ethereal marauder and xill from Monster Manual: Core Rulebook III v. 3.5
- Ethereal template from Book of Templates Deluxe Edition 3.5
- Phase creature template from Tome of Horrors Complete
- Phase stallion and slumber constrictor from Monster Geographica: Hill & Mountain
- Ethereal adder and ethereal assassin from Monster Geographica: Underground
- Ethereal rat from Tome of Horrors Complete
- Dimensional horror from d20 Modern Menace Manual
- Ether serpent (hypnalis) from Pathfinder Bestiary 4
- Thought eater from Tome of Horrors 4
- Ethereal dragon from Complete Minions
Research links
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