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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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Shinigami

Even immortals such as kami aren't immune to death. When a kami or equally powerful entity refuses the call of the Boneyard, a shinigami is summoned to bring these stubborn souls to heel. Exact and swift, shinigami are known to dispense the judgment of death efficiently and dispassionately.

Recall Knowledge - Monitor (Religion): DC 38
Unspecific Lore: DC 36
Specific Lore: DC 33

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

ShinigamiCreature 17

Legacy Content

Uncommon LN Large Monitor 
Source Pathfinder #196: The Summer That Never Was pg. 86
Perception +14; darkvision, detect alignment (chaotic and lawful only), true seeing
Languages Celestial, Common, Draconic, Infernal, Necril, Requian, Utopian; tongues
Skills Acrobatics +14, Arcana +13, Boneyard Lore +15, Diplomacy +15, Intimidation +17, Occultism +13, Religion +16, Society +13, Stealth +14
Str +8, Dex +6, Con +7, Int +5, Wis +6, Cha +9
Items +2 greater striking axiomatic naginata, pouch of four gems
AC 23; Fort +15, Ref +12, Will +14; +1 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 260 (fast healing 40); Immunities death effects, disease, negative; Resistances all physical 15 (except chaotic and silver), cold 15, poison 15; Weaknesses silver 15
Frightful Presence (aura, emotion, fear, mental) 60 feet, DC 18.
Speed 25 feet, fly 30 feet
Melee [one-action] naginata +16 [+11/+6] (deadly d8, reach, versatile P), Damage 3d8+16 slashing plus 1d6 lawful and spirit touchDivine Innate Spells DC 21; 9th bind soul (×3); 8th finger of death (×3), scrying; 7th enervation (×3), plane shift; Constant (9th) detect alignment (chaotic and lawful only), tongues, true seeing
Change Shape [one-action] (concentrate, divine, polymorph, transmutation) The shinigami takes on the appearance of a specific Small or Medium humanoid creature. This doesn't change their statistics, other than to remove the reach trait from their Strikes. The shinigami's human shape is unique to the shinigami and can't be used to Impersonate a creature.Pouch of Four Gems Each shinigami carries a pouch containing four black sapphires for use with bind soul. Each gem is capable of holding a soul of a maximum level equal to that of the shinigami. If the shinigami dies, the gems are destroyed as well, and any souls they contain are released harmlessly to travel to the Boneyard.Release Soul [two-actions] (manipulate, necromancy) Requirements One of the gems in the shinigami's pouch contains a soul from bind soul; Effect The shinigami crushes the gem, sending the soul to the Boneyard while releasing a wave of necromantic energy. All creatures within a 30-foot emanation take 18d6 damage (DC 21 basic Fortitude save); the shinigami chooses whether this damage is positive damage or negative damage. A creature who takes damage from this effect and fails the saving throw is also sickened 2 and drained 1 (or sickened 4 and drained 2 on a critical failure).Spirit Touch A shinigami's Strikes can affect incorporeal creatures with the effect of a ghost touch property rune.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Guardians of the Cycle

Shinigami are responsible for investigating and dealing with widespread phenomena that disrupt the natural flow of life. They might be tasked with solving the issue or be told to wait, observe, and provide minimal assistance. While most shinigami can retain their impartiality during such long vigils, some are far from emotionless and end up wavering toward mercy or cruelty