Being's of the Mists. Whenever the Soul Rancher is subjected to any spell damage, it takes no damage and instead regains the number of temporary hit points equal to the damage dealt. This includes healing or defense spells so the Soul Rancher cannot be healed if damaged by any other means. The Soul Rancher can only be done once per day. The Soul Rancher is still unaffected by spells but it can no longer gain temporary health points.
Unbreakable. The Soul Rancher is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form or weapons.
Weapons of Essence. The Soul Rancher's weapon attacks are magical and silvered. If the Soul Rancher is under the effect that its weapons are disarmed from its being, it ignores the effect the weapons remain in hand.
Mask of the Rancher. The Soul Rancher wears a mask over its face at all times. If the mask is taken off or knocked off during battle or otherwise, all creatures who are looking at the Soul Rancher are now Frightened until the Soul Rancher places the mask back on.
Hunters. The Soul Rancher can make two attacks with its Soul-Binding Whip or one attack with its Brand of the Damned.
Soul-Binding Whip. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (2d10 + 5) slashing damage.
Brand of the Damned. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d10) psychic damage.
Protection. When a Soul Rancher's Ally is attacked, it can intercept and take the damage instead. The damage to the Soul Rancher is doubled during this time.
Description
The Soul Ranchers are mysterious beings shrouded in secrecy, riding on imposing metal horses that billow forth with a roiling black smog, giving an ominous and otherworldly appearance. These enigmatic figures are adorned in traditional cowboy attire, but their choice of darker hues and concealed faces add an air of foreboding. Their masks range from simple, featureless coverings to burlap sacks with charred eyeholes, giving them an eerie and unsettling presence. They meticulously drape their clothing to obscure any semblance of their true forms, ranging from simple clothing to outlandish outfits.
They are equipped with a variety of weapons forged from a mysterious, otherworldly metal that is enrobed in shimmering silver and pulsates with intricate magical patterns. Each weapon is meticulously tailored to its wielder, reflecting their individuality and proficiency. Among their arsenal, they always carry a whip crafted from intricately braided metal and a branding iron featuring a lengthy rod and a distinctive brand in the shape of a single eye.
The branding iron is an essential tool for the Soul Ranchers when they encounter a lingering soul that has not transitioned to the afterlife. Upon branding the soul with the eye-shaped insignia, they facilitate its journey to its rightful place beyond. Additionally, the whip, when deployed, effectively immobilizes the targeted spirit or creature, preventing them from traversing planes or employing teleportation abilities.
While they appear terrifying, they are quite gentle and polite. They refuse to attack unless they have been attacked first. If they do defend themselves, they don't use their weapons, rather resorting to other weaponry that will not cause lasting wounds to their attackers. If possible, they will try to grapple the attacker and deposit them elsewhere where others around them will not get hurt.
While they are capable of understanding and responding in Common, they use a series of clicks amongst each other to communicate. This suggests they may be a hivemind of sorts. Unfortunately, they cannot write as all writing looks like vertical lines despite the common alphabet in their vocabulary.
They enjoy common games like cards, dice games, or gambling games. They eat like any normal creature but don't seem to excrete anything that is eaten. They mostly enjoy chuckwagon beans and sausages with grits. While they do appear to sleep, they are still conscious throughout.
They refuse to say who they work for and will make efforts to avoid the subject at all costs, even disappearing from conversations without prompt. Who they work for remains a mystery. The eye symbol on their brands could suggest a celestial being but their horses are infernal machines by origin. One of the Soul Ranchers' weapons bears the maker's mark of 'John Buzz Weaponry' but the rest lack this mark.
The best way to make friends with a Soul Rancher is to directly speak with them. They enjoy it when others are not afraid of them and are willing to speak to them. They also enjoy little trinkets like charms that can clip to their weapons or clothing. Many of the Soul Ranchers have charms linked to their hats or their belts which they treasure dearly and refuse to let others have.
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