New Creatures

L
isted below are many dreadful and ferocious 1.4 Monster Statblocks
creatures of the night, suitable both as enemies 1.4.10 Bleakborn/Moil Zombie
for the DM to peruse and as options for the 1.4.11 Bloodhulk
necromancer to create. This collection of 1.4.12 Boneclaw
undead is a part of the Tome of Necromancy, 1.4.13 Bonedrinker
and many rules make reference to the Tome. 1.4.14 Bonespitter
1 New Creatures 1.4.15 Boneworm
1.1 Templates 1.4.16 Boneyard
1.1.1 Afflux-Blooded 1.4.17 Brain in a Jar
1.1.2 Animus 1.4.18 Broodfiend
1.1.3 Bodak Creature 1.4.19 Church Grim
1.1.4 Bone Creature 1.4.20 Cinderspawn
1.1.5 Corpse Creature 1.4.21 Cursed Spirit
1.1.6 Crypt Spawn 1.4.22 Crypt Thing
1.1.7 Curst 1.4.23 Deadwood Revenant
1.1.8 Dread Warrior 1.4.24 Deathlock
1.1.9 Dry Lich 1.4.25 Deathshrieker
1.1.10 Evolved Undead 1.4.26 Demon, Artaaglith
1.1.11 Favored Spawn of Kyuss 1.4.27 Demon, Blood Fiend
1.1.12 Fleshvigor 1.4.28 Desiccator
1.1.13 Ghost Brute 1.4.29 Dragotha
1.1.14 Ghoulish Creature 1.4.30 Dread
1.1.15 Gravetouched Ghoul 1.4.31 Dream Vestige
1.1.16 Hivenest 1.4.32 Drowned
1.1.17 Hoarder 1.4.33 Dust Wight
1.1.18 Hooded Pupil 1.4.34 Earthcancer Centipede
1.1.19 Lich 1.4.35 Elhoriad
1.1.20 Mummified Creature 1.4.36 Entomber
1.1.21 Necrocarnum Zombie 1.4.37 Ephemeral Swarm
1.1.22 Necromental 1.4.38 Euralden Eye
1.1.23 Necropolitan 1.4.39 Eye of Fear and Flame
1.1.24 Nether Hound (of Kiaransalee) 1.4.40 Famine Spirit
1.1.25 Orcus-Blooded 1.4.41 Fleshless Reaper
1.1.26 Plaguelost 1.4.42 Forsaken Shell
1.1.27 Restless Prey 1.4.43 Ghostly Visage
1.1.28 Skeletal Creature 1.4.44 Golem, Black Ice
1.1.29 Soul-Locked 1.4.45 Golem, Bone
1.1.30 Umbral Creature (Shadowy) 1.4.46 Golem, Grave Dirt
1.1.31 Undying 1.4.47 Golem, Shadesteel
1.1.32 Vecna-Blooded 1.4.48 Gravecrawler
1.1.33 Zombified Creature 1.4.49 Gravehound
1.2 Variant Abilities 1.4.50 Graveyard Sludge
1.2.1 Ghosts 1.4.51 Grimweird
1.2.2 Skeletons 1.4.52 Haunt, Taunting
1.2.3 Zombies 1.4.53 Hopping Vampire
1.2.4 Mummies 1.4.54 Huecuva
1.2.5 Liches 1.4.55 Hulking Corpse
1.2.6 Miscellaneous 1.4.56 Inquisitor
1.3 Expanded Variant Powers 1.4.57 Jolly Roger
1.4 Monster Statblocks 1.4.58 Karrnathi Dread Marshal
1.4.1 Abyssal Ghoul 1.4.59 Karrnathi Skeleton
1.4.2 All-Consuming Hunger 1.4.60 Karrnathi Zombie
1.4.3 Apparition 1.4.61 Knight Haunt
1.4.4 Ashen Husk 1.4.62 Kyuss Spawnling
1.4.5 Avolakia 1.4.63 Necrosis Carnex
1.4.6 Banedead 1.4.64 Nerephtys
1.4.7 Beastwraith 1.4.65 Nightshade, Nightcrawler
1.4.8 Blackskate 1.4.66 Nightshade, Nightcrawler
1.4.9 Blaspheme 1.4.67 Odem
1.4.68 Overworm
 1.4 Monster Statblocks
1.4.69 Plague Blight
1.4.70 Quell
1.4.71 Quell, Greater
1.4.72 Raam
1.4.73 Raiment
1.4.74 Remnant
1.4.75 Salt Mummy
1.4.76 Sheet Phantom
1.4.77 Dolphin Skeletons
1.4.78 Skeleton Warrior
1.4.79 Skin Kite
1.4.80 Skull Lord
1.4.81 Bonespur
1.4.82 Serpentir
1.4.83 Spectral Rider
1.4.84 Skulking Cyst
1.4.85 Slaymate
1.4.86 Sword of Kyuss
1.4.87 Tomb Mote
1.4.88 Tomb Spider
1.4.89 Totem Chieftan
1.4.90 Ulgurstasta
1.4.91 Vassalich
1.4.92 Vasuthant
1.4.93 Visage
1.4.94 Visage, Champion
1.4.95 Vitreous Drinker
1.4.96 Wight, Slaughter Wight
1.4.97 Wight, Vilewight
1.4.98 Wormcaller
1.4.99 Worm of Kyuss
1.4.100 Wraith, Acidwraith
1.4.101 Wraith, Bane Wraith
1.4.102 Wraith, Dimensional Wraith
1.4.103 Wraith, Orb
1.4.104 Wraith, Voidwraith
1.4.105 Zombie, Totem
1.4.106 Zombie, True Strahd Zombie
1.5 Miscellaneous Creatures
1.5.1 Dire Maggot
1.5.2 Swarm of Leeches
2
A Note on Tags
The following two tags need additional explanation.
Spirit
The spirit tag is most fitting to campaigns with an
Eastern flavor. If the DM is using it in his or her
campaign, it applies to the following creatures:
All incorporeal undead (ghosts and ancestor
spirits)
All elementals (nature spirits)
All fey (nature spirits)
All celestials (good, benevolent spirits)
All fiends (evil, corrupting spirits)
Some dragons (nature spirits)
Any creature the DM determines fits (a good
example would be the oni, a giant)
Spirit creatures are not necessarily incorporeal,
despite their name—some spirits are as much
flesh and bone as humans are.
Wormspawn
The wormspawn tag refers to creatures created by
Kyuss or his followers (such as the spawn of Kyuss
and the wormdrake), or by creatures heavily
twisted by those beings (such as the avolakia and
the nerephtys). The spawn of Kyuss in Volo's Guide
to Monsters should have the wormspawn tag.
The Hounds of Kyuss is the collective name for
Kyuss's mssive undead arthropods, such as the
eviscerator beetle, mindkiller scorpion, earthcancer
centipede, and worldbreaker mantis shrimp.
Undead Flesh in the Cold
Corporeal undead creatures that are resistant or
immune to cold can function with ease in
environments that can normally be lethal (–20° F
or lower). An undead creature exposed to such
conditions for at least a day becomes frozen; this
reduces the creature’s land speed by 10 feet and
reduces its Dexterity by 4 for as long as it's frozen,
but increases its natural armor by +4, to a
maximum of +9. Some undead, such as the
icegaunt, entombed, and steaming soldier, are
already frozen and do not gain these benefits or
drawbacks. Once an undead is thawed, it loses all
of theses penalties and benefits.
 Horrifying Apperance. There is a 25% chance that a flaw
Templates in the process to create the animus makes it look lichlike. If it
These templates can be added to various creatures. looks lichlike, it has disadvantage on Charisma (Persuasion)
checks, but advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.
Afflux-Blooded The animus gains the following actions:
Multiattack. If the base creature does not have
"Afflux-blooded" is a template that can be added to any multiattack, it can make one fear touch and one attack. If it
neutral or evil creature that has performed torture. does, it adds using Fear Touch once to its multiattack.
An Afflux-blooded creature gains the following special Paralyzing Gaze. The animus targets one creature within
traits: 30 feet that it can see and that can see the animus's eyes. The
Lifeforce Reserve. The Afflux-blooded creature can grant creature must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 +
itself 40 temporary hit points (no action required, but can proficiency bonus + Charisma modifier). On a failed save, it is
only be done on its turn). These hit points last until it stores paralyzed until the animus loses concentration (as if
them again on its turn, or until they are expended. If the hit concentrating on a spell). It can only paralyze one creature at
points are expended, all benefits from this template other a time.
than Torturer's Ear are lost. Suggest. The animus uses an effect identical to mass
Skills. The Afflux-blooded creature adds twice its suggestion, targeting only the creature it has paralyzed.
proficiency bonus to Insight and Intimidation checks. Charisma is its spellcasting ability.
Innate Spellcasting. The Afflux-blooded creature can cast Command (Recharge 5-6). The animus casts command as
blade of pain and fear and spare the dying, at will, as well as a 5th-level spell. It can only choose the Grovel command.
pain once a day. Charisma is the Afflux-blooded spellcasting Charisma is its spellcasting ability.
ability for these spells. Fear Touch. The animus touches one creature within its
Torturer's Ear. The Afflux-blooded creature knows if it reach. It forces the creature to make a Wisdom saving throw
hears a lie. (DC 8 + proficiency bonus + Charisma modifier). On a failed
An Afflux-blooded creature gains the following special save, the creature must drop whatever it is holding and be
action: frightened for 1 minute. While frightened in this way, a
Agony Touch. The Afflux-blooded creature touches a creature must take the Dash action and move away from the
creature, forcing it to make a Constitution saving throw animus by the safest available route on each of its turns,
against a DC of (8 + Afflux-blooded creature's Charisma unless there is nowhere to move. If the creature ends its turn
modifier + proficiency bonus). On a failure, it is stunned until in a location where it doesn’t have line of sight to the animus,
the start of the Afflux-blooded creature's next turn. Even on a the creature can repeat a Wisdom saving throw. On a
success, it is affected as if it had failed a save against the pain successful save, the effect end.
spell for the same duration. Challenge Rating. Base creature +3.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +1.
Animus
"Animus" is a template that can be added to any humanoid.
When a creature becomes an animus, it retains all its
statistics except as noted below.
Type. The animus's type changes to undead.
Ability Score Increase. The animus's Charisma increases
by 2.
Damage Resistance. The animus gains resistance to acid,
cold, and fire damage, as well as bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing damage from nonmagical weapons.
Damage Immunity. The animus gains immunity to
necrotic and poison damage.
Condition Immunities. The animus gains immunity to
poisoned, paralyzed, and exhaustion.
Turn Resistance. The animus has advantage on saving
throws against any effect that turns undead.
Undead Nature. An animus doesn't require air, food, drink,
or sleep.
Regeneration. The animus regains 5 hit points at the start
of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Lord of the Dead. All free mindless undead see the
animus as an ally and obey it.
Alignment. The animus's alignment changes to lawful evil.
Darkvision. The animus gains darkvision out to 60 ft.

3
 Bodak Creature Type. The crypt spawn's type changes to undead.
Damage Immunity. The crypt spawn gains immunity to
"Bodak creature" is a template that can be applied to any poison damage.
living, corporeal creature of CR 4 or more except constructs, Condition Immunities. The crypt spawn gains immunity
oozes, plants, and undead (referred to hereafter as the "base to poisoned and exhaustion.
creature"). It uses all the base creature's statistics and special Turn Resistance. The crypt spawn has advantage on
abilities except as noted here. saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
Type. The bodak's type changes to undead. Undead Nature. A crypt spawn doesn't require air, food,
Senses. The bodak gains darkvision to 120 feet. drink, or sleep.
Damage Resistances. The bodak gains resistance to cold, Natural Armor. When not wearing armor, the crypt
fire, and necrotic damage, as well as bludgeoning, piercing, spawn's AC is 13 + its Dexterity modifier.
and slashing from nonmagical attacks. Darkvision. The crypt spawn gains darkvision out to 60 ft.
Damage Immunities. The bodak gains immunity to Frightening. The crypt spawn gains proficiency in
lightning and poison damage. Intimidation.
Condition Immunities. The bodak gains immunity to Challenge Rating. Base creature +1.
being charmed, frightened, and poisoned.
Aura of Annihilation. The bodak can activate or deactivate
this feature as a bonus action. While active, the aura deals 5
necrotic damage to any creature that ends its turn within 30
feet of the bodak. Undead and fiends ignore this effect.
Death Gaze. When a creature that can see the bodak’s
eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of the bodak, the bodak can
force it to make a DC (8 + Con + Proficiency) Constitution
saving throw if the bodak isn’t incapacitated and can see the
creature. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature
is reduced to 0 hit points, unless it is immune to the
frightened condition. Otherwise, a creature takes 16 (3d10)
psychic damage on a failed save.
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the
saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it
has disadvantage on attack rolls against the bodak until the
start of its next turn. If the creature looks at the bodak in the
meantime, it must immediately make the saving throw.
Sunlight Hypersensitivity. The bodak takes 5 radiant
damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight,
it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
Necrotic Fists. The bodak's melee weapon attacks deal an
extra 9 (2d8) necrotic damage.
The bodak also gains the following action:
Withering Gaze. One creature that the bodak can see
within 60 feet of it must make a DC (8 + Con + Proficiency)
Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) necrotic damage
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Alignment. The bodak's alignment shifts to chaotic evil.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +4.
Bone Creature
This template is identical to the skeletal template, but retains
all class features, can speak, and lacks the penalty to Int and
Cha.
Corpse Creature
This template is identical to the zombified template, but
retains all class features, can speak, lacks the penalty to Int,
Wis, and Cha, and merits a +1 to CR.
Crypt Spawn
"Crypt spawn" is a template that can be applied to any willing,
living creature through the undeath after death spell.
When a creature becomes a crypt spawn, it retains all its
statistics except as noted below.

4
Curst
Cursts are undead humanoids trapped under a curse that will
not let them die. This template can be applied to any
humanoid.
Type. The curst's type changes to undead.
Damage Immunity. The curst gains immunity to cold, fire,
and poison damage.
Condition Immunities. The curst gains immunity to being
charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned, and
stunned.
Senses. The curst gains darkvision to a radius of 60 feet.
Magic Resistance. The curst has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Turn Immunity. The curst is immune to effects that turn or
rebuke undead.
Madness. A curst with a Wisdom of 1 or 2 is afflicted with
bouts of madness. In combat, it must roll a d20 at the start of
its turns. On a 1, it takes no actions that round.
Ability Score Adjustments. The curst's scores are
adjusted as follows: +2 Str, -6 Wis, -2 Cha.
Regeneration. A curst heals 1 point of damage each round
so long as it has at least 1 hit point. If reduced to 0 hit points,
it falls unconscious, and its regeneration stops. After 1 hour,
the curst makes a DC 15 Constitution check. If the check
succeeds, the curst regains 1 hit point, its regeneration
resumes, and it is no longer unconscious. If the check fails,
the curst must make another check at the same DC 24 hours
later, and every 24 hours thereafter until it succeeds and
begins to recover hit points again. Thus, even a dismembered
curst eventually recovers from its injuries.
Unkillable. Only two ways exist to destroy a curst
permanently. One is to destroy its body (by total immersion in
acid, or a disintegrate spell, for example). The other is to
remove the curse that keeps it from dying. The caster of the
remove curse spell must succeed on a DC 20 spellcasting
ability check to successfully remove the curse.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +3.
Dread Warrior
"Dread Warrior" is a template that can be applied to any
humanoid with at least 3 levels in a martial class. Dread
warriors are created through the animate dread warrior spell.
When a creature becomes a dread warrior, it retains all its
statistics except as noted below.
Type. The dread warrior's type changes to undead.
Damage Immunity. The dread warrior gains immunity to
poison damage.
Damage Resistance. The dread warrior gains resistance
to necrotic damage.
Condition Immunities. The dread warrior gains immunity
to poisoned and exhaustion.
Senses. The dread warrior gains darkvision to a range of
60 feet.
Alignment. The dread warrior's alignment changes to
lawful.
Ability Score Adjustment. The dread warrior's Strength
increases by 4, and its Charisma decreases by 6.
Undead Nature. A dread warrior doesn't require air, food,
drink, or sleep.

5
 Dry Lich
The dry lich template can only be applied to a living caster
that can cast 9th-level spells. Almost all dry liches are
members of the Walkers in the Waste, but a handful of dread
necromancers follow this path.
Type. The dry lich's type changes to undead.
Natural Armor. When not wearing armor, the dry lich's AC
is equal to 15 + its Dexterity modifier.
Damage Immunities. The lich gains immunity to
dessication, fire, necrotic, and poison damage, as well as
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks.
Condition Immunities. The dry lich gains immunity to
being charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, and
poisoned.
Senses. The dry lich gains truesight to 120 feet.
Legendary Resistance (3/day). If the dry lich fails a saving
throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Turn Resistance. The dry lich has advantage on saving
throws against any effect that turns undead.
Aura of Despair. As a bonus action, each creature of the
dry lich's choice that is within 60 ft. of it must succeed on a
DC (8 + spellcasting modifier + proficiency bonus) Wisdom
saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature
that fails this save by 5 or more is incapacitated while
frightened in this way, and its speed is 0. A creature can
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending
the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is
successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to
this dry lich's Aura of Despair for the next 24 hours.
Regeneration. The dry lich regains 2 hit points at the start
of its turn as long as it has at least 1 hit point remaining and
isn't in water or a humid climate, or the area of a water-based
spell such as fog cloud.
Rejuvenation. The dry lich gains a new body in 1d6 weeks
if at least one of its canopic jars is intact, regaining all its hit
points and becoming active again. The new body appears
within 5 feet of a canopic jar of its choice.
Turn Resistance. The dry lich has advantage on saving
throws against any effect that turns undead.
Water Weakness. All water damages the dry lich as if it
were holy water.
The dry lich gains the following action:
Dessicating Touch. Melee Spell Attack: + proficiency +
spellcasting modifier to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: ???
(4d8 + mod) dessication damage. The target must succeed on
a DC (8 + spellcasting modifier + proficiency bonus)
Constitution saving throw or have disadvantage on all attack
rolls and ability checks until it drinks at least a gallon of
water.
The dry lich gains the following legendary actions:
The lich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be used
at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The
lich regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Cantrip. The lich casts a cantrip.
Dessicating Touch (Costs 2 Actions). The lich uses its
Dessicating Touch.
6
Mournful Gaze (Costs 2 Actions). The lich fixes its gaze
on one creature it can see within 10 feet of it. The target
must succeed on a DC (8 + spellcasting modifier +
proficiency bonus) Wisdom saving throw against this magic
or suffer disadvantage on attack rolls for 1 minute. The target
can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns,
ending the effect on itself on a success. If a target’s saving
throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the target is
immune to the lich’s gaze for the next 24 hours.
Drain Moisture (Costs 3 Actions). Each non-undead
creature within 20 feet of the lich must make a DC 18
Constitution saving throw against this magic, taking 21 (6d6)
dessication damage on a failed save, or half as much damage
on a successful one.
Evolved Undead
Any undead can become an evolved undead. After existing for
100 years, and for every 100 years of subsequent existence,
an undead has a 1% chance of becoming evolved. Its chance
of evolving again increases by 1% for each time it has evolved.
Unlike most templates, this template can be applied
multiple times. Its effects stack with itself.
Natural Armor. The evolved undead's natural armor bonus
increases by 2.
Regeneration. The undead regains 5 hit points at the start
of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Ability Score Increase. Two ability scores of the undead's
choice increase by 2.
Innate Spellcasting. The evolved undead can innately cast
one of the following spells once a day using Intelligence,
Wisdom, or Charisma (its choice), requiring no material
components:
d10 Spell
1 circle of death
2 cloudkill
3 cone of cold
4 confusion
5 contagion
6 dispel magic (5th-level)
7 greater invisibility
8 haste
9 hold monster
10 true seeing
Challenge Rating. I recommend caution if you are using
this template on monsters of CR 7 or lower, as some of the
spells can be extremely devastating. When applied to a
higher-CR monster, it increases the CR by 1.
Favored Spawn of Kyuss
"Favored spawn of Kyuss" is a template that can be applied to
any living, corporeal creature.
When a creature becomes a favored spawn of Kyuss, it
retains all its statistics except as noted below.
Type. The favored spawn's type changes to undead and it
gains the wormspawn tag.
Damage Immunity. The favored spawn gains immunity to
poison damage.
Ability Score Increase. Two ability scores of the favored
spawn's choice increase by 2.
Damage Resistances. The favored spawn gains resistance
to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
attacks that aren't silvered.
Condition Immunities. The favored spawn gains
immunity to poisoned and exhaustion.
Turn Resistance. The favored spawn has advantage on
saving throws against being turned or rebuked.
Regeneration. The favored spawn regains 10 hit points at
the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point and isn’t in
sunlight or a body of running water. If the spawn takes acid,
fire, or radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start
of the spawn’s next turn. The spawn is destroyed only if it
starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.
Worms. If the favored spawn is targeted by an effect that
cures disease or removes a curse, it must make a
Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC.
On a failure, all the worms infesting it wither away, and it
loses its Burrowing Worm action, Infested Skin trait, Foul
Embrace action, and Wormburst action.
Senses. The favored spawn gains darkvision to a range of
60 feet.
Withering Weapons. Any weapon attacks the favored
spawn make do an extra 2d6 necrotic damage.
Infested Skin (Kyuss's Blessing). Whenever a creature
within 5 feet of the favored spawn of Kyuss hits it with a
melee attack, the creature must make a Dexterity saving
throw as if it has just been targeted by Burrowing Worm.
Creatures that move through it, such as through Tumble,
must make a Dexterity saving throw in the same way.
Kyuss's Blessing. A creature with a CR (or a level, if it
doesn't have a CR) of at least 8 also has one of the following
traits or options, as a gift from Kyuss himself:
Noxious Breath
Wormburst
Infested Skin
Actions. The favored spawn gains the following actions:
Multiattack. The favored spawn keeps its previous
multiattack options and can also use Burrowing Worm.
Foul Embrace. The favored spawn presses its face to the
face of a paralyzed, stunned, or unconscious creature, which
is infested with 2d6 worms. If it dies to these worms, it rises
as a favored spawn.
Wormburst (1/day) (Kyuss's Blessing). The favored
spawn ejects worms in a 20-foot radius around itself. Each
creature within that area must make a DC (8 + proficiency +
Dexterity modifier) Dexterity saving throw or have 2d4
worms land upon it.
Noxious Breath (Kyuss's Blessing). The favored spawn
exhales disgusting air in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that
area must make a DC (8 + proficiency + Constitution
modifier) Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for
one minute. It is incapacitated while poisoned in this way. It
can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns,
ending the effect on itself on a success.
Burrowing Worm. As a bonus action, the favored spawn
launches a worm at one humanoid that the spawn can see
within 10 feet of it. The worm latches onto the target’s skin
unless the target succeeds on a DC (8 + proficiency +
Dexterity modifier) Dexterity saving throw. The worm is a
Tiny aberration with AC 6, 1 hit point, a 2 (-4) in every ability
score, and a speed of 1 foot. While on the target’s skin, the
worm can be killed by normal means or scraped off using an
action (the spawn can use this action to launch a scraped-off
worm at a humanoid it can see within 10 feet of the worm).
Otherwise, the worm burrows under the target’s skin at the
end of the target’s next turn, dealing l piercing damage to it.
At the end of each of its turns thereafter, the target takes 7
(2d6) necrotic damage per worm infesting it. A worm-infested
target dies if it drops to 0 hit points, then rises 10 minutes
later as a spawn of Kyuss (not a favored spawn). If a worm-
infested creature is targeted by an effect that cures disease or
removes a curse, all the worms infesting it wither away.
Alignment. The favored spawn's alignment changes to
chaotic evil.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +4.
Fleshvigor
"Fleshvigor" is a template that can be applied to any non-
skeletal corporeal undead. An undead can acquire the
fleshvigor template through a magical process; fleshvigor
undead that can create spawn make spawn of the appropriate
type with the fleshvigor template (so a fleshvigor wight
creates fleshvigor zombies, and so on).
Ability Score Increase. Strength increases by 2.
Bite. A fleshvigor gains a bite attack if it didn't already have
one, using the table below for damage. It can make a bite as a
bonus action. It uses either Strength or Dexterity (its choice)
for this attack.
Size Damage
Tiny 1
Small 1d4
Medium 1d8
Large 2d8
Huge 3d8
Gargantuan 4d8
Cannibalistic Healing. By spending 1 minutes, a
fleshvigor may devour the flesh of a creature, leaving nothing
but bones. Upon finishing its meal, the fleshvigor regains hit
points equal to its Constitution modifier at the start of each of
its turns for 10 minutes as long as it has at least 1 hit point.
A creature consumed by this ability normally will not rise
as an undead, as there isn't enough material left to form a
creature. Likewise, they cannot be raised by a raise dead
spell, though resurrection works properly.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +1.
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 Ghost Brute
"Ghost brute" is a template that can be added to any
unaligned beast, monstrosity, or plant with a Charisma score
below 8.
Type. The ghost brute's type changes to undead.
Speed. The ghost brute gains a fly speed of 30, unless it
already had a higher fly speed. It can also hover.
Incorporeal Movement. The ghost brute can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult
terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn
inside an object.
Attacks. The ghost brute's attacks and abilities all do
necrotic damage.
Etherealness. The ghost brute enters the Ethereal Plane
from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the
Material Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice
versa, yet it can't affect or be affected by anything on the other
plane.
Ethereal Sight. The ghost brute can see 60 ft. into the
Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice
versa.
Rejuvenation. If it dies, the ghost brute returns to life in
1d6 days and regains all its hit points. Only a wish spell can
prevent this trait from functioning.
It can choose one of the following action options (DC of 8 +
proficiency bonus + Constitution modifier):
Bloodcurdling Howl. All creatures within 300 feet of the
ghost brute must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a
failure, the creature is frightened of the ghost for 1
minute. An affected creature can repeat the save on the
end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a
success. If the save fails by 5 or more, the creature must
drop whatever it is holding and take the Dash action and
move away from the ghost by the safest available route on
each of its turns, unless there is nowhere to move.
Loom (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The
ghost brute appears to grow in 2 sizes (from Medium to
Huge, for example) for 1 minute. This is purely illusory,
but it does give the ghost brute advantage on Intimidation
checks.
Ghoulish Creature
This template can be applied to any living creature that is not
a celestial, elemental, fiend, ooze, or plant. A creature must
have a mouth to become a ghoul.
Type. The ghoulish creature's type changes to undead.
Class Features. The ghoulish creature loses all class
features.
Damage Immunity. The ghoul gains immunity to poison
damage.
Condition Immunities. The ghoul gains immunity to being
poisoned.
Senses. The ghoul gains darkvision to a radius of 60 feet.
Attacks. Once per turn, when the ghoulish creature hits a
creature with a fist, slam, claw, or melee natural weapon
attack, the creature must succeed on a DC (8 + proficiency
bonus + Constitution modifier) Constitution saving throw or
be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success. Elves are immune to this.
Gravetouched Ghoul
8
This template can be applied to any living creature with an
Intelligence of at least 6 that is not a celestial, elemental,
fiend, ooze, or plant. A creature must have a mouth to
become a gravetouched ghoul.
Ability Score Increase. The creature's Strength,
Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma increase by 2, while its
Dexterity and Constitution increases by 4.
Damage Immunity. The ghoul gains immunity to poison
damage.
Condition Immunities. The ghoul gains immunity to the
poisoned condition.
Senses. The ghoul gains darkvision to a radius of 60 feet.
Attacks. Once per turn, when the gravetouched ghoul hits
a creature with a fist, slam, claw, or melee natural weapon
attack, the creature must succeed on a DC (8 + proficiency
bonus + Constitution modifier) Constitution saving throw or
be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success.
Stench. Any creature that starts its turn within 5 ft. of the
ghoul must succeed on a DC (8 + Constitution modifier +
proficiency bonus) Constitution saving throw or be poisoned
until the start of its next turn. On a successful saving throw,
the creature is immune to the ghoul’s Stench for 24 hours.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +2.
Hivenest
"Hivenest" is a template that combines two creatures. It can
be applied to any Large or larger corporeal construct, plant,
or undead, and to any swarm.
If the base swarm has blindsight, darkvision, or
tremorsense, the hivenest monster retains that ability. The
hivenest monster also retains any bonus on Perception
checks possessed by the base swarm.
If the base swarm has spellcasting or innate spellcasting,
the hivenest monster can use it.
When the hivenest monster dies, the swarm inside it is
released.
Challenge Rating. Neither creature's challenge rating is
increased, but when building an encounter with one, treat it
as if the creatures were separate.
Hoarder
"Hoarder" is a template that can be applied to any nongood
dragon with a hoard of at least 50,000 coins of any
denomination.
Hooded Pupil
A hooded pupil is a humanoid or a giant who was lured by
the promises of necromancy, envious of the power the
necromancer wields and the unending existence the vampire
enjoys, but yet are not ready to relinquish life.
Calloused Skin. When the hooded pupil isn’t wearing
armor, its AC equals 13 + its Dexterity modifier.
Darkvision. The hooded pupil gains darkvision out to a
range of 60 feet.
The hooded pupil also gains the following actions:
Drink Blood (1/day). A hooded pupil can suck blood from
a living victim who has damage that is yet unhealed (the
hooded pupil doesn’t have exceptionally sharp teeth, unless
the base creature has a bite attack, so it must sip from
wounds). As a bonus action, it drinks blood, dealing 10 (3d6)
necrotic damage. The target's hit point maximum is reduced
by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken, and the
hooded pupil regains hit points equal to that amount. The
reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target
dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Clutch of Orcus (1/day). The hooded pupil casts clutch of
Orcus (DC 8 + proficiency bonus + Charisma modifier).
Challenge Rating. Base creature +1.
Lich
The lich template is intended to make clerical, druidic, bardic,
sorcerous, and warlock liches easier to make. It can only be
applied to a living caster that can cast 9th-level spells. Dread
necromancers who choose lichdom at 20th level gain this
template.
Type. The lich's type changes to undead.
Natural Armor. When not wearing armor, the lich's AC is
equal to 14 + its Dexterity modifier.
Proficiency. The lich gains proficiency in Constitution
saving throws. If it is already proficient, it gains proficiency in
one save of its choice.
Damage Resistances. The lich gains resistance to cold,
lightning, and necrotic damage.
Damage Immunities. The lich gains immunity to poison,
and bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
attacks.
Condition Immunities. The lich gains immunity to being
charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, and poisoned.
Senses. The lich gains truesight to 120 feet.
Legendary Resistance (3/day). If the lich fails a saving
throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Turn Resistance. The lich has advantage on saving throws
against any effect that turns undead.
Rejuvenation. If it has a phylactery, a destroyed lich gains
a new body in 1d10 days, regaining all its hit points and
becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of
the phylactery.
The lich gains the following action:
Paralyzing Touch. Melee Spell Attack: + (proficiency
bonus + spellcasting modifier) to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.
Hit: 10 (3d6) cold damage. The target must succeed on a DC
(8 + proficiency bonus + spellcasting modifier) Constitution
saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending
the effect on itself on a success.
The lich gains the following legendary actions:
The lich can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the
options below. Only one legendary action option can be used
at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The
lich regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Cantrip. The lich casts a cantrip.
Paralyzing Touch (Costs 2 Actions). The lich uses its
Paralyzing Touch.
Frightening Gaze (Costs 2 Actions). The lich fixes its
gaze on one creature it can see within 10 feet of it. The target
must succeed on a DC (8 + proficiency bonus + spellcasting
modifier) Wisdom saving throw against this magic or become
Frightened for 1 minute. The Frightened target can repeat
the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the
effect on itself on a success. If a target’s saving throw is
successful or the effect ends for it, the target is immune to
the lich’s gaze for the next 24 hours.
Disrupt Life (Costs 3 Actions). Each non-undead creature
within 20 feet of the lich must make a DC (8 + proficiency
bonus + spellcasting modifier) Constitution saving throw
against this magic, taking 21 (6d6) necrotic damage on a
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Mummified Creature
This template can be applied to any living creature that is not
a celestial, elemental, fiend, ooze, or plant.
Type. The mummified creature's type changes to undead.
Class Features. The mummy loses all class features.
Damage Immunity. The mummy gains immunity to
necrotic and poison damage.
Damage Resistance. The mummy gains resistance to
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks.
Damage Vulnerability. The mummy gains vulnerability to
fire damage.
Condition Immunities. The mummy gains immunity to
being charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, and
poisoned.
Attacks. Once per turn, when the mummified creature hits
a creature with a fist, slam, or melee natural weapon attack,
the target creature must succeed on a DC (8 + proficiency
bonus + Constitution modifier) Constitution saving throw or
be cursed with mummy rot. The cursed target can't regain
Hit Points, and its hit point maximum decreases by 10 (3d6)
for every 24 hours that elapse. If the curse reduces the
target's hit point maximum to 0, the target dies, and its body
turns to dust. The curse lasts until removed by the remove
curse spell or other magic.
Senses. The mummy gains darkvision to a radius of 60
feet.
Challenge Rating. If the base creature has a CR of 5 or
lower, this template increases the CR by 2. If the base
creature has a CR of 6 or higher, this template increases the
CR by 1.
9
 Necrocarnum Zombie
"Necrocarnum zombie" is a template that can be added to Necropolitan
any zombie. Commoner
Ability Score Increase. The necrocarnum zombie's
intelligence increases to 6 and its Wisdom increases to 8, Medium undead, any alignment
unless the score was already higher. Armor Class 10
Essentia Pool. A necrocarnum zombie has as many Hit Points 4 (1d8)
essentia points as its proficiency bonus. As a bonus action, it Speed 30 ft.
can reassign any amount of these points up to its limit into
either Incarnum Speed or Incarnum Defense.
Incarnum Speed. The necrocarnum zombie's speed STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
increases by 10 feet for each essentia point invested. 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
Incarnum Defense. The necrocarnum zombie's AC
increases by 1 for each essentia point invested. Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Challenge Rating. Base creature +1. Damage Immunities poison
Senses passive Perception 10
Necromental Languages the languages it knew in life
"Necromental" is a template that can be added to any Challenge 0 (10 XP)
elemental.
Type. The elemental's type changes to undead. Resist Control. The necropolitan has advantage on
Create Spawn. An elemental slain by the necromental saving throws against spells that specifically control
rises 1d4 days later as a necromental. undead, such as command undead or control
Damage Immunity. The necromental gains immunity to undead, as well as against being turned or rebuked.
poison damage.
Condition Immunities. The necromental gains immunity Actions
to poisoned and exhaustion. Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5ft.,
Draining Blows. All of a necromental's melee weapon one target. Hit 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage.
attacks do an extra 1d10 necrotic damage.
Regeneration. The necromental regains 5 hit points at the
start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +1.
Necropolitan
"Necropolitan" is a template that can be applied to any
willing, living creature that is not a celestial, elemental, fiend,
ooze, or plant. The ritual takes 24 hours and costs 3,000 gold.
When it is finished, the creature dies and rises as a free-
willed necropolitan.
When a creature becomes a necropolitan, it retains all its
statistics except as noted below.
Type. The necropolitan's type changes to undead.
Damage Immunity. The necropolitan gains immunity to
poison damage.
Condition Immunities. The necropolitan gains immunity
to poisoned and exhaustion.
Turn Resistance. The necropolitan has advantage on
saving throws against any effect that turns or rebukes
undead.
Resist Control. The necropolitan has advantage on saving
throws against spells that specifically control undead, such as
command undead or control undead.
Undead Nature. A necropolitan doesn't require air, food,
drink, or sleep.
Willingly shifting from life to unlife, especially in so painful
a way, is an ordeal. The creature takes a -4 penalty to all
attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks. Every time the
creature finishes a long rest, the penalty is reduced by 1 until
it disappears.

10
Nether Hound (of Kiaransalee) Damage Resistance. The plaguelost gains resistance to
acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder, bludgeoning, piercing, and
"Nether hound" is a template that can be added to any slashing from nonmagical weapons that aren't silvered.
undead with an Intelligence of 4 or higher. Kiaransalee's Annihilation Aura. At the start of each of the plaguelost’s
hounds are chaotic evil, but hounds made by other entities turns, each creature within 5 feet of it takes 10 (3d6) necrotic
can have different alignments. damage, and must make a DC (8 + Con + Proficiency)
Ability Score Increase. Two ability scores of the hound's Constitution save or contract ashdoom.
choice increase by 2. Incorporeal Movement. The plaguelost can move through
Speed. A nether hound's speed increases by 10 feet, and it other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It
gains a climb speed equal to its new walking speed. takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an
Skills. A nether hound adds twice its proficiency bonus to object.
Investigation, Perception and Survival checks. Innate Spellcasting. The plaguelost can cast gaseous
Damage Immunity. The nether hound gains immunity to form at will. It retains its annihilation aura in this form.
cold damage. Turn Resistance. The plaguelost has advantage against
Condition Immunities. The nether hound gains immunity effects that turn undead.
to being charmed or frightened. The plaguelost cannot make the weapon attacks it
The nether hound gains the following traits: previously could but gains the following:
Keen Senses. The nether hound has advantage on Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +(Proficiency +
Intelligence (Investigation), Wisdom (Perception), or Wisdom dexterity) to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: ([CR-1)d8 +
(Survival) checks that rely on sight, hearing, or smell. dex) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC
Magic Weapons. The hound’s weapon attacks are magical. (8+Con + Proficiency) Constitution saving throw or its hit
The nether hound gains the following action option: point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the
Baleful Baying. The hound bays magically. Every enemy damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a
within 300 feet of the hound that can hear it must succeed on long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point
a DC (8 + proficiency + Con modifier) Wisdom saving throw maximum to 0.
or be frightened until the end of the hound’s next turn or until Alignment. Chaotic evil.
the hound is incapacitated. A frightened target that starts its Challenge Rating. Base creature +3
turn within 30 feet of the hound must use all its movement on
that turn to get as far from the hound as possible, must finish
the move before taking an action, and must take the most
direct route, even if hazards lie that way. A target that
successfully saves is immune to the baying of all nether
hounds for the next 24 hours.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +1.
Orcus-Blooded
"Orcus-blooded" is a template that can be added to any evil
undead that sacrifices at least 10 good-aligned creatures to
Orcus.
An Orcus-blooded creature gains the following special
traits:
Lifeforce Reserve. The Orcus-blooded creature can grant
itself 40 temporary hit points (no action required, but can
only be done on its turn). These hit points last until it stores
them again on its turn, or until they are expended. If the hit
points are expended, all benefits from this template other
than the minor wand of Orcus are lost.
Herald of Orcus. The save DCs of necromancy spells cast
by an Orcus-blooded creature increase by 1, as do the save
DCs of its attacks and special abilities.
Minor Wand of Orcus. The Orcus-blooded creature gains
possession of a minor wand of Orcus.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +1.
Plaguelost
"Plaguelost" is a template that can be applied to any
corporeal creature, living or undead, except fiends, celestials,
constructs, and elementals.
Type. The plaguelost's type changes to undead if it wasn't
already.
Damage Immunity. The plaguelost gains immunity to
necrotic and poison damage.

11
 Restless Prey Alignment. The skeleton's alignment changes to unaligned.
Challenge Rating. As base creature.
"Restless prey" is a template that can be applied to any or
beast. The restless prey creature's type changes to undead. It Soul-Locked
uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities This template can be applied to any creature.
except as noted here. Undying. Whenever the creature dies, it returns to life—or
Ability Score Increase. The restless prey's Intelligence undeath, or animation—4d20 days after being slain (or 8d20
and Charisma both increase by 6. days if the body is completely destroyed, such as by
Type. The restless prey's type changes to undead. disintegrate or immersion in lava). Each soul-locked creature
Speed. The restless prey's speed doubles. has one specific way in which it can be dispatched
Attacks. Although a restless prey creature has suffered permanently. In some cases, this might be a particular type of
from the brutal excision of its natural attacks, in its new form weapon, or even a specific weapon. In most instances, the
it has regrown these attacks as extensions of its once living creature can be permanently defeated only through indirect
body. Its attacks do force damage instead of the normal type, means. If the monster is the manifestation of a familial curse,
and the target creature must succeed on a DC (8 + it can be banished forever only by making amends for the sin
proficiency + Charisma) Constitution saving throw or have its that called the curse down on the family in the first place. If
max hit points reduced by the amount of force damage taken. it’s a demonic entity, the heroes must find the ancient
This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The symbols that drew it to the Material World and destroy them.
target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0. If the beast is a creature of taint, the characters might have to
Damage Resistance. The restless prey gains resistance to cleanse an entire area of taint or lure the creature to a sacred
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical purifying spring before it will stay dead.
weapons. Challenge Rating. As base creature. Even though being
Skills. The restless prey adds twice its proficiency bonus soul-locked makes a creature almost impossible to
to Perception and Stealth. permanently destroy, it does not increase the monster’s
Fear Aura. Any creature hostile to the restless prey that Challenge Rating, since it is no harder to defeat the monster
starts its turn within 15 feet of the prey must make a DC (8 + in any given encounter. However, permanently defeating this
proficiency + Charisma) Wisdom saving throw, unless the creature should net the players twice the normal amount of
prey is incapacitated. On a failed save, the creature is XP.
frightened until the start of its next turn. If a creature's saving In most campaigns, only one or at most two creatures
throw is successful, the creature is immune to the prey's Fear should be soul-locked. If you’re running a campaign in which
Aura for the next 24 hours. violence is not a viable solution—such as a campaign in
Restless Prey Symbiosis. A restless prey's Charisma which violence deals taint—a great many creatures (or even
score increases by +2 for each additional restless prey all of them) can be soul-locked.
creature within 30 feet. This bonus persists as long as the
creatures stay within 30 feet of each other. Additional
bonuses to Charisma scores from additional creatures within
30 feet stack with each other. For example, each member of a
group of 3 restless prey rhinoceroses gain a total +4 bonus to
their individual Charisma scores, as long as all three remain
within 30 feet of each other.
Alignment. Always chaotic evil.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +3.
Skeletal Creature
This template can be applied to any living creature that is not
a celestial, elemental, fiend, ooze, or plant. A creature must
have a skeleton or exoskeleton to become a skeleton.
Type. The skeletal creature's type changes to undead.
Class Features. The skeletal creature loses all class
features.
Damage Immunity. The skeleton gains immunity to
poison damage.
Damage Vulnerability. The skeleton gains vulnerability to
bludgeoning damage.
Condition Immunities. The skeleton gains immunity to
the poisoned and exhaustion conditions.
Ability Score Adjustments. The skeleton's scores are
adjusted as follows: +2 Dex, -4 lnt, -4 Cha.
Languages. The skeleton understands the languages it
knew in life but can't speak.
Senses. The skeleton gains darkvision to a radius of 60
feet.

12
Umbral Creature (Shadowy)
This template can be applied to any living creature that is not
a celestial, elemental, fiend, ooze, or plant. A creature must
cast a shadow to become an umbral creature.
Speed. The shadow's speed increases by 10 feet.
Class Features. The skeletal creature loses all class
features.
Type. The umbral creature's type changes to undead.
Damage Immunities. The shadow gains immunity to
necrotic and poison damage.
Damage Resistances. The shadow gains resistance to
acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical attacks.
Damage Vulnerability. The shadow gains vulnerability to
radiant damage.
Condition Immunities. The shadow gains immunity to
exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, and restrained.
Skills. The shadow gains proficiency in Stealth checks.
Amorphous. The shadow can move through a space as
narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
Shadow Stealth. While in dim light or darkness, the
shadow can take the Hide action as a bonus action. It adds
twice its proficiency bonus to Stealth checks.
Sunlight Weakness. While in sunlight, the shadow has
disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving
throws.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +2.
Undying
Note
This template is only available if the DM decides
that deathless exist in his or her setting.
"Undying" is a template that can be applied to any willing,
living creature that is not a celestial, elemental, fiend, ooze, or
plant. When a creature becomes an undying, it retains all its
statistics except as noted below.
Type. The undying's type changes to deathless.
Damage Immunity. The undying gains immunity to poison
damage.
Condition Immunities. The undying gains immunity to
poisoned.
Turn Resistance. The undying has advantage on saving
throws against any effect that turns or rebukes deathless.
Resist Control. The undying has advantage on saving
throws against spells that specifically control deathless, such
as command deathless or control deathless.
Undead Nature. A undying doesn't require air, food, drink,
or sleep.
Vecna-Blooded
"Vecna-blooded" is a template that can be added to any true
neutral or evil creature capable of casting 2nd-level or higher
arcane spells.
A Vecna-blooded creature gains the following special traits:
Lifeforce Reserve. The Vecna-blooded creature can grant
itself 40 temporary hit points (no action required, but can
only be done on its turn). These hit points last until it stores
them again on its turn, or until they are expended. If the hit
points are expended, all benefits from this template other
than Cloak of Mystery are lost.
Cloak of Mystery. All knowledge of the Vecna-blooded
creature fades from the world. Its original name, its deeds
before becoming Vecna-blooded, and so forth, disappear from
memory. Only Vecna and the Vecna-blooded creature retain
this knowledge. A Vecna-blooded creature gains immunity to
all divination spells cast against it or cast to learn information
about it. Such divination fails to reveal any information. The
Vecna-blooded creature immediately learns the name,
appearance, and location of the caster who attempted the
divination.
Hidden Spell (1/day). Once per day, as a bonus action, a
Vecna-blooded creature can cause surprised opponents to
take disadvantage on spells the Vecna-blooded creature cast
that turn.
A Vecna-blooded creature gains the following special
action:
Enigma Aura (1/day). The Vecna-blooded creature wraps
itself in an aura that makes creatures within 120 feet
intermittently forget it’s there. At the start of each affected
creature’s turn, that creature has a 50% chance to be unable
to target the Vecna-blooded creature in any way, including
with spells and special abilities. Area of effect spells can be
used against it as long as the area has at least one other
creature in its area. The aura lasts for 1 minute after it’s
activated.
Challenge Rating. Base creature +1.
Zombified Creature
This template can be applied to any living creature that is not
a celestial, elemental, fiend, ooze, or plant. A creature must be
composed of flesh to become a zombie.
When a creature becomes a zombie, it retains all its
statistics except as noted below.
Type. The zombified creature's type changes to undead.
Class Features. The zombified creature loses all class
features.
Damage Immunity. The zombie gains immunity to poison
damage.
Condition Immunity. The zombie gains immunity to the
poisoned condition.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit
points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of
5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a
critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point
instead.
Ability Score Adjustments. The zombie's scores are
adjusted as follows: +1 Str, +2 Con, -6 Int, -4 Wis, -4 Cha
Saving Throws. The zombie gains proficiency in Wisdom
saves.
Languages. The zombie understands the languages it
knew in life but can't speak.
Speed. The zombie's speed is reduced by 10.
Senses. The zombie gains darkvision to a radius of 60 feet.
Alignment. The skeleton's alignment changes to unaligned.
Challenge Rating. As base creature.
13

Variant Abilities
Ghosts
Ghosts are a varied bunch, and may have one or more of the
abilities listed below. Some traits may increase the ghost's
CR.
When an effect requires a save, the DC is equal to
8+Cha+Proficiency. All to-hit bonuses are Cha+Proficiency.
Any spells listed here require no material components.
Traits
The majority of ghosts have the Rejuvenation trait.
Rejuvenation. If it dies, the ghost returns to life in 2d4
days and regains all its hit points. Only a wish spell can
prevent this trait from functioning.
Aura of Despair. Whenever a creature starts its turn
within 30 feet of the ghost, it must make a Wisdom saving
throw. On a failure, the creature cannot take any actions this
turn.
Charm Animals. The ghost can cast animal friendship at
will.
Charm Person. The ghost can cast charm person at will.
Coldfire Radiance. At the start of each of the ghost's
turns, each creature within 5 feet of it takes 7 (2d6) frostburn
damage. A creature that touches the ghost or hits it with a
melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 7 (2d6) frostburn
damage.
Create Illusions. The ghost can innately cast minor
illusion, major image and phantasmal force at will.
Dimension Door. The ghost can innately cast dimension
door at will.
Disease. When the ghost uses its Possession ability, it
does not exercise control. Instead, the creature suffers the
effects of one disease (chosen by the DM) as long as the
ghost remains within it.
Ghost Light. The ghost can innately cast ghost light at will.
Haunt Dreams. The ghost can cast dream once per day.
Immunity or Resistance. The ghost is immune to one or
more of the following types of damage: acid, fire, lightning, or
thunder.
Magical Radiance. As a bonus action, the ghost causes all
magic items within 60 feet of it to to glow a cold, white
radiance. The radiance provides 5 feet of dim light.
Magic Resistance. The ghost has advantage on saves
against spells and other magical effects.
Sagacious. The ghost adds half its proficiency bonus,
rounded down, to any ability check it makes that doesn't
already include its proficiency bonus. It also chooses two
skills or tools it has proficiency in, and doubles its proficiency
in those skills.
Actions
Cause Revulsion (Recharge 5 or 6). The ghost touches one
creature within 5 feet. The creature must succeed on a
Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. If the
save fails by 5 or more, the creature is also incapacitated for
the duration, unable to do more than walk weakly and vomit.
Chill Ray (Recharge 5 or 6). Ranged Spell Attack: range
90 ft., one target. Hit 16 (3d10) cold damage, and the
creature must make a Wisdom saving throw or be affected as
if by a slow spell.
14
Deathsong (1/day). The ghost sings a hollow dirge that
lasts for 1 minute or until it loses concentration. All living
creatures within 90 feet of the ghost that can hear it must
succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or drop whatever they are
holding and become frightened for the duration.
While frightened by this ability, a creature must take the
Dash action and move away from the ghost by the safest
available route on each of its turns, unless there is nowhere
to move. If the creature ends its turn in a location where it
doesn't have line of sight to the ghost, the creature can make
a Wisdom saving throw. On a successful save, the spell ends
for that creature.
The ghost deals triple damage with its melee attacks
against creatures affected by its Deathsong.
Drain Memories. Melee Spell Attack: reach 5 ft., one
creature. Hit: The target forgets everything that has
happened in the last 2d10 days, and the target must make an
Intelligence saving throw. On a success, the memory loss is
temporary, and the memories will return naturally over the
next 2d4 days. On a failure, the memory loss is permanent
until cured with heal, greater restoration, or wish.
Inhabit Objects (1/day). The ghost casts animate objects
on one or more objects within 10 feet. While animated, the
ghost disappears. If all animated objects are destroyed, the
ghost is forced back into its normal form.
Laughter of Madness (Recharge 6). The ghost laughs. All
other creatures within 20 feet of it must make a Wisdom
saving throw or be affected as if by a confusion spell for 1
minute. While confused in this way, affected creatures have
disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saves.
Luring Song. The ghost sings an enticing song that lasts
until it loses concentration. All creatures within 300 feet of
the ghost must make a Wisdom saving throw, unless they are
deafened or immune to being charmed. On a failure, the
creature feels an overpowering urge to head towards the
ghost. It must take the Dash action every turn and move as
close to the ghost as it can. Once adjacent to the ghost, it can
act normally, but it cannot move away willingly. This effect
lasts as long as the ghost continues to sing. A target that
succeeds on the saving throw is immune to the luring song of
all ghosts for the next 24 hours.
This effect is audible up to 900 feet away.
Improved Withering Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to
hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) necrotic damage,
and the target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a
failure, it has disadvantage on any saving throw that uses
Strength or Constitution until it finishes a long rest.
Paralyzing Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (3d4) necrotic damage. If the target is a
creature, it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or
be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success
Rebuke Undead (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest).
The ghost can channel negative energy to make other undead
awestruck. As an action, each undead that can see or hear
the ghost within 30 feet of it must make a Wisdom saving
throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is rebuked for 1
minute or until it takes any damage.
A rebuked creature must spend its turns cowering in awe.
Creatures that are adjacent to it have advantage on attack
rolls against it. If an undead of CR 1/2 or lower fails its saving
throw against the ghost's Rebuke feature, it can place the
creature under your permanent control.
The amount of undead the ghost can maintain control on
depends on its challenge rating. It can command up to its
challenge rating + its Charisma modifier of undead in this
way. If it attempts to command more undead after already
being at this limit, it must first release control of other
undead.
Wrongs to Put Right
Below are listed 10 possible ways to lay a ghost (or other
restless spirit) to rest.
# Wrong
1 The ghost (or someone it protected) was murdered in
cold blood. Bring the killer to justice.
2 The ghost (or someone it protected) was murdered in
cold blood. Bring the killer to the ghost.
3 The ghost (or someone it protected) was murdered in
cold blood. Destroy the killer.
4 The ghost (or someone it protected) was slain. Return
the slain individual to life.
5 Something guarded by the ghost was stolen. Return
the object to its rightful place.
6 The ghost left an important task unfinished, such as
delivering a message, rescuing a lost individual, or
recovering a stolen item. Complete the task.
7 The ghost was a thief in life. Repay the victim(s) of the
ghost’s crimes.
8 The ghost was a murderer. Apologize to the
family/descendants of the victim(s).
9 The ghost was a murderer. Bring the ghost’s victim(s)
back to life.
10 The ghost committed a crime. Bring the ghost before
its victim(s) to apologize.
Skeletons
Baneguard
The baneguards are a rare type of undead. They have 39 (6d8
+ 12) HP, gain immunity to cold damage, and can cast magic
missile on a recharge of 5 or 6 and blink once per short or
long rest.
Direguard
The direguard is an improvement upon the original
baneguard. It can cast shield at will, and it can see invisible
and ethereal creatures and objects within 120 feet. They are
always surrounded by a cloud of blackish energy.
Doomfinger Skeleton
The doomfinger skeleton can cast Lahm's finger darts at will.
Fiery Skeleton
A fiery skeleton burns with unquenchable flame. A fiery
skeleton has immunity to fire damage. Its weapon attacks do
an extra 1d6 points of fire damage. Variants of the fiery
skeleton include the lightning skeleton (deals lightning
damage, immunity to lightning), the frost skeleton (deals cold
damage, immunity to cold), the ooze skeleton (deals acid
damage, immunity to acid), and the storm skeleton (deals
thunder damage, immunity to thunder).
Nimble Skeleton
A nimble skeleton can pursue characters across unsteady
terrain, rock walls, narrow ledges, and the like. A nimble
skeleton's Dexterity increases by 4, and gains a climb speed
equal to its walking speed.
Revived Fossil
The revived fossil gains +5 natural armor, and immunity to
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical
weapons that aren't adamantine.
Soldier Skeleton
The soldier skeleton works best in groups, and often
originates from mass battlefield graves. Soldier skeletons are
always skeletal humanoids, giants, or similar creatures. The
skeleton has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if
at least one of the skeleton’s allies is within 5 ft. of the
creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated. Soldier skeletons
also usually carry martial weapons and wear better armor.
Vicious Skeleton
Vicious skeletons seem to take mindless pleasure in
disemboweling their victims with their devastating claw
attacks. Skeletons without claws can’t be vicious skeletons.
The vicious skeleton gains the following action options:
Multiattack. The skeleton attacks twice with its claws. If
two claws hit the same target, the skeleton rends the target,
dealing an extra 2d4 slashing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) piercing damage.
Zombies
Ash Zombie
An ash zombie has the following trait:
Ash Puff. The first time the zombie takes damage, any
living creature within 5 feet of the zombie must succeed on a
DC 10 Constitution saving throw or gain disadvantage on
attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks for 1 minute. A
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on it early with a successful save.
Bloodthirsty Zombie
The bloodthirsty zombie doesn’t just want to destroy you, it
wants to crack open your skull and feast on the goo inside. A
bloodthirsty zombie gains a bite attack that does the same
amount of damage as its slam attack as piercing, unless its
bite already does more. If it scores a critical hit with its bite,
the target is stunned until the start of the zombie's next turn
as the bloodthirsty zombie bites into its head.
15
 Diseased Zombie
What better carrier for a horrible disease than a rotting
corpse? Whenever the zombie hits or touches an enemy, that
enemy is affected as if by a DC 13 contagion spell, but with
only one disease chosen by the DM (typically filth fever). A
grappled target has disadvantage on its save.
Fast Zombie
Slow zombies are funny. They’re easy to escape on foot. After
an encounter with fast zombies, the characters won’t be
laughing. Add 30 to the zombie's speed.
Hunting Zombie
It’s pretty easy to hide from a normal zombie, but hunter
zombies can follow and find enemies.
A hunter zombie's Wisdom increases to 14 unless it was
already higher, and it adds twice its proficiency bonus to
Perception and Survival.
Oozespawn Zombie
An oozespawn zombie has immunity to acid damage, and its
slam attacks do an extra 1d6 acid damage.
Tyrantfog Zombie
Tyrantfog zombies are created when the worshippers of one
evil deity were struck down by another. They are surrounded
by a permanent stinking cloud effect, and have 67 (9d8+27)
HP.
Unkillable Zombie
The zombies in the Monster Manual are tough, but an
unkillable zombie is nigh-unstoppable. An unkillable zombie
regenerates 5 hit points at the start of its turn as long as it
has at least 1 hit point, its Constitution increases by 4, and it
gains proficiency in Constitution saving throws.
Mummies
Clay Mummy
A clay mummy loses vulnerability to fire and gains
vulnerability to bludgeoning.
Ice Mummy
An ice mummy gains immunity to cold damage.
Liches
A lich may have one or more of the following special traits.
Be aware that some of these are very powerful abilities.
Animate Dead by Touch
With but a touch, the lich creates skeletons or zombies. To
reassert control, the lich must cast animate dead as normal.
Some very powerful liches can instead create other undead
(as if with create undead) with a touch.
Bone Command
The lich is able to animate bone and shape it at its will. As an
action, the lich can call up splinters of bone from anywhere
bones are present and animate them into a wall of slashing
death identical to blade barrier, except the damage is 8d10.
This effect does not require concentration, but the lich can
have only wall of slashing bones active at once.
16
The lich may also form bones into any structure it desires
—the only limit is the amount of bone available to the lich.
Structures created in this way are only as strong as the bones
used to craft them (but some creatures have very strong
bones). They last until destroyed, and cannot be dispelled, for
they are not innately magical.
Doom Gaze
When a creature that can see the lich’s eyes starts its turn
within 30 feet of the lich, the lich can force it to make a DC
18 Constitution saving throw if the lich isn’t incapacitated
and can see the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5 or
more, the creature is reduced to 0 hit points, unless it is
immune to the frightened condition. Otherwise, a creature
takes 55 (10d10) psychic damage on a failed save.
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the
saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so. it
has disadvantage on attack rolls against the lich until the
start of its next turn. If the creature looks at the lich in the
meantime, it must immediately make the saving throw.
Grasp of Enfeeblement
When the lich hits with its Paralyzing Touch, the target's
Strength score is reduced by 1d10. The target dies if this
reduces its Strength to 0. Otherwise, the reduction lasts until
the target finishes a short or long rest.
Ignore Metal
As a bonus action, the lich shifts its body out of phase with
reality, turning all metal insubstantial to it. All weapons made
of metal (even magical ones) pass through the lich dealing no
damage. The lich can ignore metal walls or other barriers as
it pleases. This ability lasts for 1 minute.
The lich can use this power once per day.
Imitation
Immediately after a spell is cast in the presence of the lich,
the lich may recast it without expending any slots. For
example, if a wizard casts a fireball at a lich, the lich makes
its normal saving throw and suffers damage accordingly, but
it also captures the magical energy, reshapes it into another
fireball, and sends it back at the attacking party. Note that the
lich must perform the Imitation in the round immediately
following the spell effect, or the magic dissipates.
Voice of Maleficence
If the lich spends at least 1 minute talking to someone, they
must make a Wisdom saving throw or become entranced.
While entranced in this way, they will answer all of the lich's
questions honestly and fully. They can repeat this save after a
minute passes and every subsequent minute that passes,
ending the effect on themself on a success.
Miscellaneous
Contagious Paralysis
This trait can be applied to any creature that inflicts
paralysis.
A creature paralyzed by the paralyzer carries its paralysis
like a disease. Any creature that touches a paralyzed creature
must make a save or become paralyzed itself. This can
continue to spread.
Endure Sunlight
This trait can be applied to any creature that suffers adverse
affects from being in sunlight.
The creature can resist all adverse effects of sunlight for a
number of rounds equal to 1 + its Constitution modifier
(minimum 1 round). After this time, if it is still exposed to
sunlight, it takes the normal effects as appropriate for its
kind.
After reentering shade, the creature's timer resets.
Lifesense
This trait can be applied to any construct or undead.
In addition to any normal light that might be present, the
creature sees its surroundings as being are illuminated by
roving points of brightness created by living creatures. To its
eyes, a Medium or smaller creature gives off life force
sufficient to provide bright illumination in a 60-foot radius,
revealing itself and all features and objects in range to the
creature's life-adapted sight. This life-light behaves like
regular light—it can’t see into solid objects, or past solid
walls.
A Large creature gives off life-light in a 120-foot radius, and
the radius doubles again for each additional size category
larger than Medium, up to a maximum radius of 480 feet for
a Gargantuan creature.
Hungry for Negative Energy
This trait can be applied to any undead creature
Whenever the creature would take necrotic damage, it
instead gains a number of hit points equal to the damage
done.

17
 For general powers, consult table C-4. Powers with a † are
Expanded Variant Powers described further below. Spells listed are cast innately and
If you wish to create an unusually powerful undead creature, require no material components.
I have converted over the following rules from Dragon 209's Table C-4
article 1001 Faces of Undeath. 1d100 roll Power
You can choose how many of these special powers your
undead has. However, if you are looking for guidance, roll 01-07 (1d4+2) * 10 flight speed (hover)
1d10, apply modifiers from Table C-1, using level in place of 08-11 levitation at will (self only)
CR if applicable: 12-14 blink at will
Table C-1 15-17 dimension door at will
Condition Modifier
18-19 teleport 1/day
CR 2 or lower -2
20-22 telekinesis at will
CR 6 through 9 +6
23-26 Detect magic use †
CR 10 or higher +12
27-30 Detect psionic use †
Each two additional CR past 10 +1
31-35 Detect life †
Died of natural causes -1
36-39 Special tracking †
Died with a calm, peaceful emotional state and -5
few regrets 40-43 Detect presence †
Died under unusually violent conditions (normal +2 44-45 animate dead 3/day
combat is not considered unusually violent) 46-50 minor illusion at will
51-54 major image at will
Then compare your result with Table C-2:
55-57 invisibility at will (self only)
Table C-2
1d10 roll # of powers 58-59 disguise self at will
0 or less None 60-62 Generate darkness †

1-3 1 63-67 Increased strength †

4-7 2 68-70 Increased dexterity †

8-10 3 71-73 Ambulatory body parts †

11-13 4 74-76 Doppleganger effect †

14-16 5 77-78 Increased magical ability †

17-18 6 79-83 Become corporeal/incorporeal †

19-20 7 84-87 Rot living material †

21-22 8 88-91 Putrefying touch †

23-24 9 92-95 DM choice

25+ 10 96-98 Roll again, doubling next power rolled

99-00 Roll twice more
You can either select the types of power yourself or roll
randomly on table C-3. In addition to the special powers of Detect magic or Detect psionics
general, offensive, or defensive nature, some undead may The undead can detect any magic or psionic power used
have special vulnerabilities as well. These should be created within 120 feet. This effect is similar to detect magic but is
by the DM as necessary; literary sources concerning undead not itself magical.
and game monster listings offer many possibilities, or the DM
could make some up. Special tracking
Table C-3
Once the undead has focused on a target familiar to itself, it
can unerringly track that target over any distance; it can even
1d10 roll Type of power track a target onto another plane 50% of the time, if the
1-3 General power undead also can perform extraplanar travel. Only magic and
4-6 Offensive power
psionic powers that prevent the target from being scried can
hinder this power.
7-9 Defensive power
10 Vulnerability (chosen by DM)

18
Detect presence Contact with the undead destroys purity and freshness. Any
The undead can detect the presence of a particular substance food or drink touched by the undead is affected by the
or race within 300 feet. A vague impression of the amount of equivalent of a putrefy food and drink spell. This power will
substance or number of the race present can be determined never be found in combination with the Dehydration Touch
("one", "a few," or "many," for example). The type of substance power.
or race must be determined at the time the power is chosen; Table C-5
additional rolls on this result either increases the detection 1d100 roll Power
range or allows additional substances or races to be detected.
01-04 Additional physical attack form †
Generate darkness 05-06 Acid touch †
The undead can generate a 10 foot radius area of magical
darkness around itself or any target up to 60 feet away. 07-10 Cold touch †
11-12 Shocking touch †
Increased Strength or Dexterity 13-15 Superheated touch †
The undead's natural Strength or Dexterity is increased by
four points. These results cannot be repeated or doubled. 16-18 Dehydration touch †
19-20 Poison touch †
Ambulatory body parts
The undead's body parts can function independently of each 21-22 Withering touch †
other if detached from the body. Unattached body parts retain 23-24 Aging touch (10d4 years)
all attack forms, psionic abilities, and magical abilities 25-27 Disease touch †
particular to that body part (e.g. a severed head would retain
psionic abilities and a bite attack, while a severed arm would 28-29 Blinding touch †
retain its claw attack). They also retain any physical, magical, 30-21 Inflict insanity †
and psionic traits not keyed to a specific body part (such as
flying). Detached heads and arms have a movement speed of 32-34 Mummy rot †
5 feet, while individual detached arms and legs have half of 35-39 Paralysis †
the creature's normal movement rate. All limbs share a hit 40-42 Life disruption †
point pool. Spells requiring verbal components only may be
cast by the head, while spells requiring somatic components 43-45 Drain ability score †
may be cast only if the arms are within 5 feet of the head. 46 Soul drain †
Since the undead's soul controls the body even if the head
is destroyed, each detached part must be destroyed 47-49 Energy drain
separately. This power is often found in combination with the 50-52 Vampiric drain †
Regeneration power. The undead must be corporeal to use 53-54 Teleport victim †
this power. If this result is doubled or chosen a second time,
the undead may detach and reattach its body parts at will. 55-57 Fatal foresight †
58-60 Curse †
Doppleganger effect
Similar to a doppleganger, the undead can perfectly mimic 61-63 Aging appearance †
the voice and appearance of any humanoid of the same size 64 Guilt stare †
class as the undead. This power is rarely found in undead of 65-69 Fear †
size classes other than Medium.
70-71 Charm gaze †
Increased magical ability 72-73 Death gaze †
The undead gains another spell slot of its highest level
available to cast. If the undead formerly had no magical 74-75 Death cry †
powers, then it gains magical ability equivalent to a 1st-level 76-78 Nauseous stench †
sorcerer. 79-81 Possession †
Rot living material 82-85 Minor spell abilities †
The presence of the undead is anathema to all life. Any living 86-87 Major spell abilities †
material touched by the undead immediately rots and
becomes useless. If used against a living creature, the 88-90 Superheated blast †
undead's touch causes 2d6 points of necrotic damage, and 91-92 Breath weapon †
the creature's maximum hit points is reduced by the same 93-96 DM choice
amount.
97-99 Roll again, doubling power
Putrefying touch 00 Roll twice

19
 Monster Statblocks
Abyssal Ghoul
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 145 (17d8 + 68)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 22 (+6) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws Dex +10, Int +6
Skills Acrobatics +14, Investigation +10, Stealth +14
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, necrotic
Damage Immunities lightning, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned
Senses blindsight 120 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
passive Perception 10
Languages Abyssal, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Assassinate. During its first turn, the ghoul has
advantage on attack rolls against any creature that
hasn’t taken a turn. Any hit the ghoul scores against a
surprised creature is a critical hit.
Evasion. If the ghoul is subjected to an effect that
allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only
half damage, the ghoul instead takes no damage if it
succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if
it fails.
Magic Resistance. The ghoul has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
See Lifeforce. The ghoul can determine the current and
maximum HP of any creature within 120 feet, no
action requreid.
Abyssal Ghoul
Abyssal ghouls are native to the Abyss, and typically serve
Doresain, King of the Ghouls.
20
Actions
Multiattack. The ghoul makes two front claw attacks,
two rear claw attack, a bite attack, and a smoky tongue
attack. If it hits a creature with both its front claw
attacks, the target is grappled (escape DC 15).
Front Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6 + 6) slashing damage.
Rear Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 8 (1d4 + 6) slashing damage. If the
target is a creature other than an undead, it must
succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be
paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the
saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the
effect on itself on a success.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) piercing damage.
Smoky Tongue. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach
5ft., one creature grappled by the ghoul. Hit: 21 (3d10
+ 6) necrotic damage, and the ghoul regains hit points
equal to the damage done. The target must succeed on
a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or its hit point
maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the
damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target
finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect
reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Mind Fog. The abyssal ghoul conjures a 60-foot-radius
cloud of heavily obscured fog centered on a point
within 30 feet of it. The fog lasts for 1 minute or until
dispersed with moderate or higher wind. Creatures
within the fog have disadvantage on Intelligence,
Wisdom, and Charisma checks and saving throws.
Reactions
Uncanny Dodge. When the ghoul is hit by an attack, it
can use its reaction to halve the damage.
 All-Consuming Hunger
Huge swarm of Tiny undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 179 (17d12 + 68)
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 14 (+2) 19 (+4) 8 (-1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Damage Immunities acid, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained, stunned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages all its components know
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space
and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any
opening large enough for a Tiny bone. The swarm can’t
regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
Turn Vulnerability. Because the swarm is a collective of
weak undead, the swarm has disadvantage on saving
throws against any effect that turns or rebukes undead.
All-Consuming Hunger
An all-consuming hunger is a horror made up of the bones of
countless creatures, amalgamated into one unholy
abomination.
Fear Aura. When a creature that can see the all-
consuming hunger starts its turn within 60 ft. of the
all-consuming hunger, the all-consuming hunger can
force it to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a
failure, the creature is affected as if by a fear spell.
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid
the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature
does so, it can’t see the all-consuming hunger until the
start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If
the creature looks at the all-consuming hunger in the
meantime, it must immediately make the save.
Create Spawn. Any living creature killed by an all-
consuming hunger rises as an all-consuming hunger in
1d4 rounds.
Actions
Bone Spikes. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
0ft., one target in the swarm’s space. Hit 21 (6d6)
piercing damage and 21 (6d6) acid damage, or 10
(3d6) damage each if the swarm has half of its hit
points or fewer. If the target is a creature, it must
succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be
cursed with all-consuming wasting. The cursed target
can’t regain hit points, and its hit point maximum
decreases by 10 (3d6) for every 24 hours that elapse.
If the curse reduces the target’s hit point maximum to
0, the target dies, and a new all-consuming hunger
rises from its corpse 1d4 rounds later. The curse lasts
until removed by the remove curse spell or other
magic.
21
 Apparition
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)
Speed 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (-5) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 16 (+3)
Skills Stealth +9, Intimidation +9
Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
attacks that aren't silvered
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained, unconscious
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Ephemeral. The apparition can’t wear or carry anything.
Rejuvenation. A destroyed apparition gains a new body
in d4 + 4 days, regaining all its hit points and becoming
active again, unless it was killed on the Ethereal Plane.
Apparitions killed on the Ethereal Plane stay dead.
Detect Sentience. The apparition can sense the
presence and location of any creature within 120 feet
of it that has an Intelligence of 3 or higher, regardless
of interposing barriers, unless the creature is protected
by a mind blank spell. This works on targets on the
Material Plane while the apparition is on the Ethereal,
and vice versa.
Ethereal Sight. The apparition can see 60 ft. into the
Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice
versa.
Apparition
Apparitions are undead creatures who cannot deal damage to
the living. They can, however, convince the living that they are
dying, and only magical or silvered blades can hurt their
semiexistent substance.
22
Terrifying Incorporeal Movement. The apparition can
move through other creatures and objects as if they
were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if
it ends its turn inside an object. Any creature it moves
through must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or
be frightened until the end of its next turn.
Ambush Hunter. Any creature surprised by the
apparition has disadvantage on saving throws against
its Terrifying Incorporeal Movement and Scare to
Death for as long as it is surprised.
Actions
Scare to Death. The apparition terrifies one creature
within 5 feet of it. The creature must make a DC 14
Intelligence saving throw against this magic. On a
success, it suffers no ill effects and is immune to this
apparition's Scare to Death for 24 hours. On a failure, it
must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. If it fails
this saving throw, it drops to 0 hit points, unless it is
immune to being frightened. On a success, it must
drop whatever it is holding and becomes frightened for
1 minute.
While frightened in this way, it must take the Dash
action and move away from the apparition by the safest
available route on each of its turns, unless there is
nowhere to move, in which case it must take the
Dodge action. If it ends its turn where it can't see the
apparition, it can repeat the Intelligence save, ending
the effect on a success.
A creature reduced to 0 hit points by this attack that
subsequently dies before being healed rises 2d4 hours
later as a free-willed apparition. Even if the creature is
healed or resurrected before then, it will always fail its
Intelligence save against this apparition in the future.
Etherealness. The apparition enters the Ethereal Plane
from the Material Plane, or vice versa.
 Ashen Husk
Medium undead, unaligned

Armor Class 11 (natural armor)

Hit Points 53 (7d8 + 21)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

15 (+2) 8 (-1) 16 (+3) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 15 (+2)

Saves Wis +2
Damage Resistances fire, necrotic
Damage Immunities dessication, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Dehydrating Aura. At the start of each of the ashen

husk’s turns, each creature within 10 feet of it
takes 9 (2d8) dessication damage and it is
considered to not have drunk any water today,
regardless of how much it has drunk. It must drink
twice its normally daily amount the rest of the day
to avoid exhaustion due to dehydration (see the
Player's Handbook).
A humanoid slain by this ability rises 24 hours later
as a free-willed ashen husk, unless the humanoid is
restored to life or its body is destroyed.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the ashen husk
to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5+the damage taken, unless the
damage is cold or from a critical hit. On a success,
the ashen husk drops to 1 hit point instead.

Actions
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage. If
the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Ashen Husk
Ashen husks are created when someone dies of thirst in a
desert environment.

23
 Avolakia
Large aberration (shapechanger, wormspawn), neutral
evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 158 (21d10 + 42)
Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 15 (+2) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 22 (+6)
Skills Acrobatics +7, Arcana +11, Deception +14,
Persuasion +14, Religion +11
Damage Resistanes fire, necrotic
Damage Immunities cold
Condition Immunities paralyzed
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Avolakia, Common, Deep Speech,
Undercommon
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Freedom of Movement. When in its true form, the
avolakia ignores difficult terrain, and magical effects
can't reduce its speed or cause it to be restrained. It
can spend 5 feet of movement to escape from
nonmagical restraints or being grappled.
Innate Spellcasting. The avolakia's spellcasting ability is
Charisma (+10 to hit, spell save DC 18). The avolakia
can innately cast the following spells, requiring no
material components:
At will: chill touch (3d8), call undead, command
undead, detect magic, ghoul touch, halt undead, mage
hand, reaving aura (30 ft.), spectral hand, vampiric
touch, watchful eye
3/day each: animate dead, dread blast, fear
Avolakia
These horrid sluglike aberrations are cultists of Kyuss, and
love creating undead in his honor.
24
1/day each: animate infectious zombie, create undead,
door of decay, elemental shroud, feast of flesh, rally of
the damned, undead conduit, undead lieutenant
Magic Resistance. The avolakia has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Shapechanger. The avolakia can use its action to
polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid, or back
into its true form. Other than its size, its statistics are
the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or
carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it
dies.
Regeneration. The avolakia regains 5 hit points at the
start of its turn. If the avolakia takes acid or lightning
damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of the
avolakia's next turn. The avolakia dies only if it starts its
turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate.
Actions
Multiattack. The avolakia makes one bite attack and
eight tentacle claw attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: + to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage and the
target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw,
taking 14 (4d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half
as much damage on a successful one.
Tentacle Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
Instead of dealing damage, the avolakia can grapple the
target (escape DC 15).
Suggestion. The avolakia targets one humanoid it can
see within 30 ft. of it. If the target can hear the
avolakia, the target must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom
saving throw against this magic or be affected as if by a
suggestion spell. The suggestion lasts for up to 8
hours.
 Banedead
Medium undead, lawful evil
Armor Class 14 (studded leather)
Hit Points 37 (5d8 + 15)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)
Saves Wis +3
Skills Stealth +4, Perception +3
Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical weapons that
aren't silvered
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed,
poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Rampage. When the banedead reduces a creature to
0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, it can
take a bonus action to move up to half its speed
and make a bite attack.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the banedead
to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a
success, the banedead drops to 1 hit point instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The banedead makes two attacks: one
with its bite and one with its claws, or two with its
claws.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage, and
the target's speed is halved and it has disadvantage
on Dexterity checks and saves until the end of the
banedead's next turn.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Banedead
Banedead are a form of undead created from the fanatical
worshipers of an evil deity.
The creatures appear as withered humans, drained of life
and vitality. The malevolent force that animates them
manifests in their glowing red eyes. One of a banedead’s
hands is always twisted into a hideous claw.
Beastwraith
Beastwraiths are malevolent spirits that form when a large
number of animals are killed and left to rot, such as through
years of sport hunting, great forest fires, or magical
cataclysms.
Beastwraith
Small undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (-5) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 6 (-2) 15 (+2) 13 (+1)
Skills Stealth +6, Perception +3, Survival +3
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,
thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical attacks that aren't silvered
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages understands Sylvan but can't speak
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Savage Nature. Beasts are unnerved by the presence
of a beastwraith. Any beast within 30 feet of a
beastwraith must make a DC 12 Wisdom saving
throw or become driven by bloodlust to attack the
nearest non-beast living creature. A creature can
repeat the saving throw at the end of its turns,
ending the effect on itself on a success. Whether or
not the save is successful, a creature cannot be
affected again by the same beastwraith's savage
nature aura for 24 hours.
Incorporeal Movement. The beastwraith can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Actions
Natural Attack. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (3d6) necrotic
damage, if this damage reduces the creature to 0
hit points, it must make a DC 12 Constitution
saving throw. On a failure, it dies, the beastwraith
gains 1d8 + 2 temporary hit points, and if the killed
creature was a beast it rises as a beastwraith.
Terrifying Howl. The beastwraith howls. Any living
creature within 300 feet of the beastwraith and
able to hear its howl must succeed on a DC 12
Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for l minute.
A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at
the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success. If a target's saving throw is
successful or the effect ends for it, the target is
immune to any beastwraith's Terrifying Howl for
the next 24 hours.
25
 Blackskate
Large undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 77 (9d10 + 27)
Speed 5 ft., swim 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 17 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1)
Skills Nature +4, Perception +6, Survival +9
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed,
poisoned
Senses darkvision 300 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Aquan, Sahuagin
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Blood Rage (3/day). If the blackskate starts its turn
within 30 feet of a living creature that is below its
hit point maximum, it can enter a blood rage as a
bonus action. While raging, it gains the following
benefits:
It has advantage on all Strength checks and
Strength saving throws.
When it makes a melee weapon attack using
Strength, it deals an extra 2 damage.
It has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing damage.
The blackskate's rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends
early if it is knocked unconscious. It can also end its
rage on its turn as a bonus action.
Swimby. The blackskate doesn't provoke
opportunity attacks when it swims out of an
enemy's reach.
Blood Tracker. A blackskate is capable of tracking
anyone whose has lost hit points within 30 feet of
it in the water. It can follow any such trail infallibly,
as long as its quarry remains in the same body of
water as the blackskate. It succeeds automatically,
unless the quarry uses some magical means of
concealing its path. In such an instance, the
blackskate can make a Survival check (against the
caster's spell save DC) in order to continue tracking
its prey.
Actions
Multiattack. The blackskate makes one bite attack
and one stinger attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Stinger. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 8 (1d6 + 5) piercing damage and
the target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving
throw, taking 21 (6d6) poison damage on a failed
save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
26
Blaspheme
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 136 (16d8+64)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 13 (+1) 18 (+4) 7 (-2) 15 (+2) 10 (+0)
Skills Perception +5, Survival +5
Saving Throws Intelligence +1, Wisdom +5
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical sources
Damage Immunities cold, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 15
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the
blaspheme has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well
as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on
sight.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the blaspheme
to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a
success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.
Turn Resistance. The blaspheme has advantage on
saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
Actions
Multiattack. The blaspheme bites once and uses its
claws twice.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.
Blasphemous Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) necrotic
damage. If the target is nonevil, it is incapacitated
for 1 round and its Strength score is reduced by
1d6. The target dies if this reduces its Strength to
0.
Blackskate
These rays are found at the very bottom of ancient trenches.
They hungrily prey upon any life they encounter.
Blaspheme
The blaspheme is a legendarily powerful undead, found in
ancient tombs.
Bleakborn/Moil Zombie
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 71(11d8 + 22)
Speed 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 12 (+1)
Skills Athletics +7, Insight +4, Intimidation +4,
Perception +4, Stealth +5
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, frightened,
poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Moilian, Common
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Fire Absorption. Whenever the bleakborn is
subjected to fire damage, it takes no damage and
instead regains a number of hit points equal to the
fire damage dealt.
Heat-Draining Aura. At the start of each of the
bleakborn's turns, each creature within 30 feet of it
takes 7 (2d6) cold damage, or half damage with a
successful DC 13 Constitution save. A creature that
touches the bleakborn or hits it with a melee attack
while within 5 feet of it takes 3 (1d6) cold damage.
Contingent Regeneration. The bleakborn regains 10
hit points at the start of its turn if in range of a
living creature that it can affect with its heat-
draining aura. Even if brought to 0 hit points or
killed, a bleakborn eventually heals if a living
creature at some future date wanders within 30
feet of the bleakborn’s remains, automatically
triggering its heat-draining aura.
Cold to the Touch. The touch of a bleakborn deals
2d6 points of cold damage (included in the attack).
Actions
Multiattack. The bleakborn makes two slam attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 9 (1d10 + 4) bludgeoning damage
plus 7 (2d6) cold damage, and the bleakborn
regains hit points equal to the cold damage done.
Create Zombie. The bleakborn targets a humanoid
within 10 feet of it. The target's body rises as a
zombie in the space of its corpse or in the nearest
unoccupied space. The zombie is under the
bleakborn's control. The bleakborn can have no
more than twelve zombies under its control at one
time.
Sometimes a newly created spawn becomes a
bleakborn instead of a mere zombie, though the
wiles of the dark gods determine such instances
(that is, the DM decides when this occurs).
Bloodhulk
Large undead, unaligned
Armor Class 11 (natural armor)
Hit Points 224 (14d10 + 84)
Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 9 (-1) 22 (+6) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 1 (-5)
Saves Con +9, Wis +3
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
poisoned
Damage Immunities poison
Damage Vulnerabilities piercing, slashing
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Blood Bloated. The bloodhulk always gains the
maximum possible hit points from hit dice.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the bloodhulk
to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a
success, the bloodhulk drops to 1 hit point instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The bloodhulk makes two slam attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Bleakborn/Moil Zombie
An ancient city was cursed by Orcus so that its citizens would
sleep whenever the sun was down. Then he sent them to a
pocket dimension with no sun, and they all died and rose as
Moil zombies.
Bloodhulk
Created by necromancers, bloodhulks are mighty
juggernauts. Bloodhulks can withstand an immense amount
of punishment from spells and blunt weapons, though they
die more quickly from blades.
27
 Boneclaw
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 157 (15d10 + 75)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
21 (+5) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 19 (+4)
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Damage Immunities cold, poison
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Retractable Claws. As a bonus action, the boneclaw
increases its reach to 20 until the start of its next
turn.
Reactive. The boneclaw can take one reaction on
every turn in combat.
Tunnel Fighter. As a bonus action, the boneclaw can
enter a defensive stance that lasts until the start of
its next turn. While in its defensive stance, it can
make opportunity attacks without using its
reaction, and it can use its reaction to make a
melee attack against a creature that moves more
than 5 feet while within its reach.
Actions
Multiattack. The boneclaw makes two claw attacks.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10ft.,
one target. Hit 12 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage.
Boneclaw
Created by powerful necromancers, boneclaws love to
slaughter the living.
Note
An alternate boneclaw is presented in
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes.
Bonedrinker
These creatures are created from bugbears, or sometimes
goblins, by hobgoblin clerics and wizards. They liquify and
drink bones, much like how vampires feast on blood.
28
Bonedrinker
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (hide armor)
Hit Points 120 (16d8 + 48)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 11 (+0) 9 (-1)
Skills Stealth +6, Survival +2
Saving Throws Wisdom +2
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Goblin
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Nimble Escape. The bonedrinker can take the
Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on
each of its turns.
Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra die of its
damage when the bonedrinker hits with it (included
in the attack).
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the
bonedrinker to 0 hit points, it must make a
Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5+the
damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from
a critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1
hit point instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The bonedrinker makes two claw
attacks and one tentacle attack.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage and
the target is grappled (escape DC 13).
Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 8 (2d4 + 3) acid damage, and
the target’s Constitution score is reduced by 1d6.
The target dies if this reduces its Constitution to 0.
Otherwise, the reduction lasts until the target
finishes a short or long rest.
 The bonespitter is a horrid creature created when planar rifts
tear multiple creatures apart and then reassemble them into
Bonespitter an amalgamation.
Large undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 19 (natural armor)

Hit Points 38 (3d10 + 21)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

13 (+1) 24 (+7) 24 (+7) 13 (+1) 1 (-5) 19 (+4)

Skills Acrobatics +9, Arcana +5, Stealth +9

Damage Vulnerabilities force
Damage Resistances electricity, thunder
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, poisoned, prone
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 5
Languages Abyssal, Common, Celestial, Infernal
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Displacement. The bonespitter's planar magic

distorts light around it, causing attack rolls against
it to have disadvantage. If it is hit by an attack, this
trait is disrupted until the end of its next turn. This
trait is also disrupted while the bonespitter is
incapacitated or has a speed of 0. Truesight
negates this effect, but seeing invisibility doesn't.
Many Heads. The bonespitter has advantage on
saving throws against being blinded, deafened,
stunned, knocked unconscious, or turn undead.
Innate Spellcasting. The bonespitter’s innate
spellcasting ability is Charisma. The bonespitter can
innately cast the following spells, requiring no
material components:
At will: counterspell, dispel magic
Reactive. The bonespitter can take one reaction on
every turn in combat.

Actions
Whirlwind Blows. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: The target takes 14 (2d6
+ 7) bludgeoning damage and the target is grappled
(escape DC 13). If the target is a creature, it must
succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or
be cursed with dripping decay. The cursed target's
hit point maximum decreases by 2 (1d4) for every
24 hours that elapse. If the curse reduces the
target’s hit point maximum to 0, the target dies,
and its body turns to slime. 1 round later, it rises as
a free-willed bonespitter. The curse lasts until
removed by the remove curse spell or other magic.
Bone Shards. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
range 30 ft., one target. Hit: The target takes 13
(1d12 + 7) piercing damage. If the target is a
creature, see Whirlwind Blows for dripping decay.

Bonespitter

29
 Boneworm
Gargantuan undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 11 (natural armor)
Hit Points 165 (10d20+60)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
29 (+9) 3 (-4) 22 (+6) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 17 (+3)
Saving Throws Con +10, Wis +4
Damage Immunities fire, necrotic, poison
Damage Vulnerabilities cold
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, prone
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands Common but rarely speaks
Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)
Desiccation Aura. Any creature that starts its turn
within 90 feet of a boneworm takes 10 (3d6)
dessication damage. If the boneworm has at least 1
hit point remaining, it regains hit points equal to
the damage done.
Dreadful Chanting. A boneworm's numerous
mouths constantly chant half-remembered hymns
and prayers. This chanting, consisting as it does of
dozens of different hymns, sounds like a swarm of
giant flies trying to mimic human voices with their
buzzing. A living creature that starts its turn within
90 feet of a boneworm that can hear the
boneworm must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC
15) against this effect or become frightened until
the start of its next turn. Divine spellcasters have
disadvantage on this saving throw. Additionally, a
divine spellcaster must make a successful
spellcasting ability check (DC 15 + spell level) to
cast a divine spell in while in the area of the
boneworm's chanting.
Magic Resistance. The boneworm has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Siege Monster. The boneworm deals double damage
to objects and structures.
Actions
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 35 (4d12 + 9) bludgeoning
damage, and if the target is a creature, it must
succeed at a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or
contract bonefire. See under Diseases in the
companion document.
30
Boneyard
Huge undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 188 (15d12 + 90)
Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
25 (+7) 12 (+1) 22 (+6) 18 (+4) 17 (+3) 18 (+4)
Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Terran, Abyssal
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)
Regeneration. The boneyard regains 10 hit points at
the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 23 (3d10 + 7) piercing damage,
and the target is grappled (escape DC 20). If the
target is a creature that has a skeletal structure, it
must make a DC 19 Constitution saving throw. On
a failure, it takes an additional 44 (8d10) piercing
damage and suffers the effects of a ray of
enfeeblement for 1 minute as its bones slough out
to join the boneyard. The creature takes half
damage and suffers no other effects on a success.
Utter Subsumption. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to
hit, reach 5 ft., one creature with a skeletal
structure grappled by the boneyard. Hit: The target
takes 110 (20d10) piercing damage. If this damage
reduces the target to 0 hit points, the boneyard
kills the target by pulling out every bone from its
body.
Boneworm
The dreaded boneworm is an amalgamation of dead desert-
dwelling monks and priests. The insane tangle of bodies is
fueled by a hatred of the deity and religion that failed to
protect them all from starvation, thirst, and general insanity.
Boneyard
A boneyard is a huge collective of bones from thousands of
creatures, animated into one horrific mass.
 Brain in a Jar Madness. Anyone targeting a brain in a jar with a
thought detection, mind control, or any sort of
Tiny undead, neutral evil
telepathic or psionic ability that makes direct contact
Armor Class 16 with its tortured mind with any method other than the
Hit Points 35 (10d6) brain's own telepathy must make a DC 14 Intelligence
Speed 0 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover) saving throw. On a failure, it takes 21 (6d6) psychic
damage and is insane until it finishes a long rest. While
insane, it can’t take actions, can’t understand what
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA other creatures say, can’t read, and speaks only in
gibberish. A greater restoration spell cast on it ends
1 (-5) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) this effect.

Skills Arcana +8, History +8, Insight +4, Investigation Actions

+6, Persuasion +7
Damage Immunities poison Rebuke Undead. Each undead that can see or hear the
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed, brain within 30 feet of it must make a DC 14 Wisdom
poisoned, prone saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is
Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), rebuked for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.
passive Perception 12 A rebuked creature must spend its turns cowering in
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but awe. Creatures that are adjacent to it have advantage
can't speak, telepathy 120 ft. on attack rolls against it.
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Undead of CR 1/2 or lower that fail their saving throws
Mental Fortification. The brain in a jar adds its against its Rebuke Undead feature can be placed under
Intelligence bonus to its AC. its permanent control. It can control 9 undead in this
way.
Turn Resistance. The brain in a jar has resistance against Control Undead. As an action, the brain targets one
all effects that turn undead. undead creature within 30 feet of it. The target must
Psionics. The brain has 27 psi points and a psi limit of make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save,
5. It can innately manifest the following powers (DC the target must obey its commands for the next 24
14): hours, or until it uses this Channel Negative Energy
option again. An undead over CR 4 is immune to this
Talents: blind spot, delusion, mind thrust, mystic hand effect.
Disciplines: mastery of force, nomadic mind, telepathic
contact

Brain in a Jar
Brilliant scholars and expert manipulators, brains-in-a-jar are
hated by the living and dead alike. They possess fearsome
psionic powers.

Brains in Jars Without Psionics

If you are not using psionics in your campaign,
replace the brain's Innate Psionics with the
following one:
Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The brain in a jar’s
innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save
DC 14). It can innately cast the following spells,
requiring no components:
At will: detect thoughts, dissonant whispers,
mage hand
3/day each: dominate monster, telekinesis

31
 Broodfiend
Huge fiend (wormspawn), neutral evil
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 473 (35d12 + 245)
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
26 (+8) 14 (+2) 24 (+7) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 19 (+4)
Saving Throws Con +13, Wis +8
Damage Resistances cold, lightning, thunder;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
attacks that aren't silvered
Damage Immunities acid, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned
Senses blindsight 120 ft., truesight 120 ft., passive
Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, Common, Infernal, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 20 (25,000 XP)
Regeneration. The broodfiend regains 20 hit points at
the start of its turn. If the broodfiend takes radiant
damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of the
broodfiend’s next turn. The broodfiend dies only if it
starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.
Magic Resistance. The broodfiend has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Undead Affinity. The broodfiend can choose to be
considered undead for the purposes of any spell or
effect (so a negative energy flood aids it, while turn
undead has no effect upon it).
Magic Weapons. The broodfiend’s weapon attacks are
magical.
Innate Spellcasting. The broodfiend’s spellcasting ability
is Charisma (spell save DC 18). The broodfiend can
innately cast the following spells, requiring no material
components:
At will: dispel magic (5th level), grasping worms,
mindworms, path of worms
Broodfiend
Kyuss's clerics have invented these horrific fiends. They exist
to spread his dark influence and bring about the Age of
Worms.
32
3/day: feeblemind, servant of the green corruption
Noxious Mist. The broodfiend constantly breathes out a
noxious gas forming a 15 foot sphere centered upon it.
This fog clouds both sight and thought. The
broodfiend is lightly obscured against any creature
within 15 feet of it, and heavily obscured against any
creature further away. Any creature that enters the fog
or starts its turn there must make a DC 21 Constitution
saving throw. On a failure, it is poisoned until the start
of its next turn, and incapacitated while poisoned in
this way. On a success, it is immune being poisoned by
the obscuring mist of all broodfiends for 24 hours.
Dead bodies within the area of this mist quickly
become saturated with necromantic energy, and rise as
favored spawn of Kyuss in 24 hours.
Actions
Multiattack. The broodfiend makes two bite attacks and
uses its wing attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 27 (3d12 + 8) piercing damage, and
the target’s Intelligence score is reduced by 1d8. The
target dies if this reduces its Intelligence to 0.
Otherwise, the reduction lasts until cured by greater
restoration or similar magic.
If a creature dies from this attack, it rises as a favored
spawn of kyuss under the broodfiend's control in 1d4
rounds.
Wing Attack. Each creature within 15 ft. of the
broodfiend must succeed on a DC 22 Dexterity saving
throw or take 11 (1d6 + 8) bludgeoning damage and
be knocked prone.
Noxious Breath (Recharge 5-6). The broodfiend exhales
acid in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must
make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking 35
(10d6) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much
damage on a successful one. Also on a failed save, the
creature deals only half damage with weapon attacks
that use Strength for 1 minute.
Teleport. The broodfiend magically teleports, along with
any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 120 feet
to an unoccupied space it can see.
Church Grim Cinderspawn
Medium undead, lawful good or neutral good Large undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor) Armor Class 14

Hit Points 105 (14d8 + 42) Hit Points 82 (11d8 + 33)
Speed 40 ft. Speed 50ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 19 (+4) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) 17 (+3)

Skills Insight +9, Intimidation +7, Perception +9 Damage Immunities fire, poison
Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder; Damage Vulnerabilities cold
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed,
nonmagical attacks poisoned
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison, radiant Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 5
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, Languages Ignan
frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 19 Fire Absorption. Whenever the cinderspawn is
Languages understands Common, Celestial, Infernal, subjected to fire damage, it takes no damage and
and Abyssal but can't speak instead regains a number of hit points equal to the
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) fire damage dealt.

Bound. The church grim is magically bound to a Frostfire Shield. A creature that touches the
graveyard, church, or other holy place and cannot cinderspawn or hits it with a melee attack while
go further than 60 feet from it. As long as this within 5 feet of it takes 5 (1d10) cold damage.
place exists, if the grim is destroyed it is reborn the Water Susceptibility. For every 5 ft. the cinderspawn
next night with all of its hit points. moves in water, or for every gallon of water
splashed on it, it takes 1 cold damage.
Daylight Ethereality. If the grim starts its turn in
sunlight, it is transported to the Ethereal Plane.
While sunlight shines on the spot from which it
Actions
vanished, the hound must remain in the Ethereal. Siphon Warmth. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
Once the sunlight is gone, it returns to the Material. reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d8 + 4) cold
damage. If the target took any cold damage, it must
Incorporeal Movement. The grim can move through succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or
other creatures and objects as if they were difficult gain one level of exhaustion.
terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its
turn inside an object.
Keen Hearing and Smell. The grim has advantage on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or Church Grim
smell. Church grims are holy protectors, the spirits of those who
Pure. All evil creatures have disadvantage on attack have died and now guard a sacred place against defilers.
rolls against the grim, and it has advantage on all
saving throws against their spells and abilities. Cinderspawn
Soul Scent. As a bonus action, the grim can target Cinderspawn are fire elementals who have burned out.
any number of creatures it can smell within 60 feet.
If a target fails a DC 14 Charisma saving throw, it
learns the creature’s alignment. Celestials, fiends,
and undead automatically fail the saving throw. Any
evil creature that fails this saving throw is
frightened until the end of the grim's next turn.
Turn Immunity. The grim is immune to effects that
turn undead. However, it can still be rebuked.

Actions
Spectral Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 35 (7d8 + 4) radiant damage. If
the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 16
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

33
 Cursed Spirit
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 30 (4d8 + 12)
Speed 0 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 9 (-1) 8 (-1) 15 (+2)
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,
thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical attacks that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Incorporeal Movement. The cursed spirit can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the cursed
spirit has disadvantage on attack rolls and on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Actions
Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) necrotic
damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13
Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum
is reduced by an amount equal to the damage
taken. If this attack reduces the target’s hit point
maximum to 0, the target dies. This reduction to
the target’s hit point maximum lasts until the target
finishes a long rest.
Cursed Aura. All creatures of the cursed spirit's
choice within 5 feet of the cursed spirit suffer
disadvantage on all saving throws until the start of
the cursed spirit's next turn.
Cursed Spirit
Those who die while under terrible curses or inimical
enchantments sometimes linger on as cursed spirits,
bringing their misfortune to others.
34
Crypt Thing
Medium undead, neutral
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 38 (5d8 + 15)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 16 (+3)
Skills Insight +5, Intimidation +7, Perception +5
Damage Resistances cold, necrotic
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned, unconscious
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Undercommon
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Turn Immunity. The crypt thing is immune to effects
that turn undead.
Bound. A crypt thing is bound to a specific crypt or
tomb, and can never leave it willingly. It has
disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and
saving throws as long as it is outside its crypt.
Actions
Multiattack. The crypt thing makes two claw attacks.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Scatter Defilers (1/day). The crypt thing chooses any
number of creatures within 30 feet of it. Each
creature must make a DC 13 Charisma saving
throw. On a failure, the creature is teleported
10d10 * 10 feet in a random direction.
Crypt Thing
Created by the create crypt thing spell or sometimes arising
naturally when the spirits of the departed rise to protect the
bodies of their descendants, crypt things are strange
creatures. They are happy to ignore those who come to pay
respects or are peaceful; those who come to defile the tombs
or are aggressive are teleported away if possible. It will
maintain that the teleported victims have been disintegrated.
Variant: Aberrant Crypt Things
There are rumors of crypt things that possess the
following trait instead of Scatter Defilers:
Cloak Defilers (1/day). The crypt thing chooses
any number of creatures within 30 feet of it. Each
creature must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving
throw. On a failure, the creature is paralyzed for 24
hours, and invisible while paralyzed in this way.
 Deadwood Revenant
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (16 with barkskin)
Hit Points 60 (8d8 + 24)
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 18 (+4)
Skills Intimidation +10, Perception +5, Stealth +9
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
attacks that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Elvish, Sylvan
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Incorporeal Movement. The deadwood can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. She takes 5 (1d10) force damage if she
ends her turn inside an object.
Innate Spellcasting. The deadwood's innate spellcasting
ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). The deadwood
can innately cast the following spells, requiring no
material components:
At will: bestow curse, bestow eternal curse, druidcraft
3/day each: entangle, inflict wounds
1/day each: barkskin, pass without trace, shillelagh
Tree Stride. Once on her turn, the deadwood can use
10 feet of her movement to step magically into one
living or dead tree within her reach and emerge from a
second living or dead tree within 500 feet of the first
tree, appearing in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of
the second tree. Both trees must be Large or bigger.
Curse Upon Mankind. The presence of a deadwood
revenant has an ill effect on the fate of humanoids, for
her very existence is an act of sacred retribution
against them. Any humanoid within 120 feet of a
deadwood revenant suffer disadvantage on all attack
rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.
If the existence of a deadwood revenant is caused by
non-humanoids, then her ability might affect creatures
of a different type, although this is rare.
Deadwood Revenant
Deadwood revenants are ghostlike beings who arise when a
dryad's sacred oak is among the trees felled in a massive act
of deforestation. Nature itself is the source of the dark
energies that give the restless soul of the dryad unlife: its very
existence is an act of retribution against mankind. Deadwood
revenants exist to make humanoids pay for their crimes
against nature.
Magic Resistance. The deadwood has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Speak with Beasts and Plants. The deadwood can
communicate with beasts and plants as if they shared a
language.
Actions
Multiattack. The deadwood makes two darkfire ray
attacks.
Darkfire Ray. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
60 ft., one target. Hit 11 (2d10) necrotic damage. This
damage bypasses resistance and immunity. The target
must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or
its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal
to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the
creature finishes a long rest. The target dies if this
effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Fey Charm. The deadwood targets one humanoid or
beast that she can see within 30 feet of her. If the
target can see the deadwood, it must succeed on a DC
15 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed. The
charmed creature regards the deadwood as a trusted
friend to be heeded and protected. Although the target
isn't under the deadwood's control, it takes the
deadwood's requests or actions in the most favorable
way it can.
Each time the deadwood or its allies do anything
harmful to the target, it can repeat the saving throw,
ending the effect on itself on a success. Otherwise, the
effect lasts 24 hours or until the deadwood dies, is on
a different plane of existence from the target, or ends
the effect as a bonus action. If a target's saving throw is
successful, the target is immune to the deadwood's
Fey Charm for the next 24 hours.
The deadwood can have no more than up to three
humanoids and up to three beasts charmed at a time.
True Curse (3/day). The deadwood revenant bestows an
even more powerful curse on a creature she has already
cursed with her bestow curse or bestow eternal curse.
The target, no matter how far away, must then succeed
at a DC 15 Will save. Failure indicates that no spell
short of a wish can lift the curse for as long as the
deadwood revenant exists.
Because of the bond forged between the victim's fate
and the deadwood revenant's existence, anyone
affected in this way who is aware of the cause of its
curse may attempt a DC 20 Wisdom check as an
action. On a success, it learns the exact distance and
direction to the deadwood revenant's current location.
35
 Deathlock
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 14 (mage armor)
Hit Points 39 (7d8 + 7)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
9 (-1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 16 (+3)
Skills Arcana +6
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Turn Resistance. The deathlock has advantage on
saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the deathlock
has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Innate Spellcasting. The deathlock's spellcasting
ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). The
deathlock can innately cast the following spells,
requiring no material components
At will: detect magic, inflict wounds
3/day: fear, magic missile, mage armor
2/day: hold monster
Actions
Death Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +5 to hit, reach
120ft., one target. Hit 9 (2d8) necrotic damage.
The target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution
saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced
by an amount equal to the damage taken. This
reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long
rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit
point maximum to 0.
Deathlock
When a spellcaster dies, sometimes their corpse rises, still
charged with magic. This is not a lich, and indeed is only a
pale echo of the living caster.
Note
An alternate deathlock is presented in
Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes.
Deathshrieker
Deathshriekers are the remains of the dying screams of
thousands of souls. Sometimes, their former haunts continue
to ring out with screams even centuries after being destroyed.
36
Deathshrieker
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 48(1d4 + 5)
Speed 0ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 22 (+6) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 19 (+4)
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,
thunder
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common and one other
Challenge 15 (6530 XP)
Death Rattle. When a deathshrieker is destroyed, it
releases a final, devastating shriek. All creatures
within 300 feet must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom
saving throw or drop to 0 hit points. On a success,
they instead take 10d10 psychic damage. Creatures
in a silence spell gain advantage on the saving
throw.
Despair. At the mere sight of a deathshrieker, a
creature must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving
throw or become frightened for 1 minute. It can
repeat the saving throws at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on it on a success. While
frightened in this way, the creature is also
paralyzed. If a target's saving throw is successful,
the target is immune to the deathshrieker's Despair
for the next 24 hours.
Incorporeal Movement. The deathshrieker can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Silence Sensitivity. When it starts its turn in a silence
spell or similar effect, the deathshrieker takes 22
(4d10) force damage and has disadvantage on its
attack rolls until the start of its next turn.
Actions
Touch of Horror. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit 61 (10d10 + 6) psychic
damage, and the target has disadvantage on
Wisdom checks and saving throws for 1 minute.
Scream of the Dying (1/day). All creatures within
300 feet must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving
throw. On a failure, they drop to 0 hit points.

Artaaglith
Medium fiend (demon), chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 113 (15d8 + 45)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 13 (+1) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +6, Wis +5, Cha +5
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Lord of the Dead. All free mindless undead see the
demon as an ally and obey it. Even sentient undead
or controlled mindless undead must make a DC 13
Charisma saving throw to harm it.
Magic Resistance. The artaaglith has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Innate Spellcasting. The artaaglith’s spellcasting
ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). The artaaglith
can innately cast the following spells, requiring no
material components:
At will: animate dead, cause fear, clutch of Orcus,
desecrate, exhume, Kelgore's grave mist
1/day each: fear, finger of agony, stinking cloud
Actions
Multiattack. The artaaglith makes two attacks.
Flail. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
If the creature has 10 hit points or fewer after
taking this damage, it instantly dies.
Order Undead (Recharges on a Short or Long Rest).
The artaaglith causes one of these to happen:
Rebuke Undead. Each undead that can see or hear it
within 30 feet of it must make a DC 13 Wisdom
saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it
is rebuked for 1 minute or until it takes any
damage. A rebuked creature must spend its turns
cowering in awe. It is incapacitated and can’t move.
The rebuked automatically fails Strength and
Dexterity saving throws. Attack rolls against the
creature have advantage.
Command Undead. The artaaglith targets one
undead creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The
target must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw.
On a failed save, the target must obey its
commands for the next 24 hours, or until it uses
this Order Undead option again.
A blo
Blood Fiend
Large undead (demon), chaotic evil
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 179 (21d10 + 63)
Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 15 (+2) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws Dex +8, Con +8, Wis +7, Cha +9
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning, necrotic;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)
Magic Resistance. The blood fiend has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Regeneration. The blood fiend regains 5 hit points
at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Actions
Multiattack. The blood fiend makes 4 claw attacks
and a bite attack. If two or more claws hit the same
target, the fiend rends the target, dealing an extra
2d6 slashing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.
Instead of dealing damage, the blood fiend can
grapple the target (escape DC 19).
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one willing creature, or a creature that is grappled
by the blood fiend, incapacitated, or restrained. Hit:
13 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6)
necrotic damage. The target’s hit point maximum is
reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic
damage taken, and the blood fiend regains hit
points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts
until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies
if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0. A
fiend slain in this way rises as a free-willed blood
fiend 24 horus later.
Dominate (Recharge 6). The blood fiend forces one
target within 30 feet that can see its eyes to make a
DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, it is
dominated, as if by dominate monster. On a
success, it can't dominate the target for 24 hours.
Demon, Artaaglith
These demons are created by Orcus to spread his plague of
undeath.
Demon, Blood Fiend
37
 Desiccator
Small undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)
Speed 20 ft., swim 60 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

12 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) 11 (+0) 13 (+1)

Skills Perception +2
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Aquan
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Actions
Fatiguing Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit 10 (2d6 + 3) necrotic
damage and the target must make a DC 11
Constitution saving throw or gain one level of
exhaustion. If the creature fails this save, the
desiccator regains 5 hit points. Creatures made
mostly of water have disadvantage on this saving
throw. The desiccator cannot advance a creature's
exhaustion level past 3.
Desiccating Breath (Recharge 5-6). The desiccator
exhales parched air in a 15-foot cone. Each creature
in that area must make a DC l1 Constitution saving
throw, taking 14 (4d6) necrotic damage and
gaining a level of exhaustion on a failed save, or half
as much damage and no additional exhaustion on a
successful one. Creatures made mostly of water
have disadvantage on this saving throw. The
desiccator cannot advance a creature's exhaustion
level past 3.

Desiccator
A dessicator is an undead water elemental that is tormented
by perpetual thirst. It constantly seeks to quench its thirst
with the blood and other vital fluids of the living.

38
 Dragotha
Gargantuan undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 24 (natural armor)
Hit Points 574 (28d20 + 280)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 80 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
30 (+10) 15 (+2) 30 (+10) 26 (+8) 24 (+7) 28 (+9)
Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +18, Wis +15, Cha +17
Skills Arcana +24, Deception +25, History +24, Insight
+23, Intimidation +25, Investigation +24,
Perception +23, Persuasion +25, Stealth +10
Damage Immunities fire, necrotic, poison
Damage Resistances acid, cold, lighting, thunder
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned
Senses blindsight 60 ft., truesight 120 ft., passive
Perception 33
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Dwarven,
Elven, Halfling, Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Ignan,
Infernal, Orc, Undercommon
Challenge 27 (105,000 XP)
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Dragotha fails a saving
throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Innate Spellcasting. Dragotha’s innate spellcasting
ability is Charisma (spell save DC 25, +17 to hit with
spell attacks). He can innately cast the following spells,
requiring no material components:
3/day: Abi Dalzim's horrid wilting, counterspell (6th-
level), dispel magic (6th-level), feeblemind, forcecage
1/day: avascular mass, bodak's glare, blackfire,
devastate undead, plane shift, panacea, wave of pain
Magic Resistance. Dragotha has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Healing Anathema. Any healing on a target within 30
feet of Dragotha functions only if he allows it.
Necrotic Absorption. Whenever Dragotha is subjected
to necrotic damage, he instead regains a number of hit
points equal to the necrotic damage dealt. His
maximum HP and ability scores can't be reduced.
Magic Claws. Dragotha’s weapon attacks are magical.
Actions
Multiattack. Dragotha can use his Exhausting Presence.
He then makes three attacks: one with his bite and two
with his claws.
Dragotha
One of the mightiest dracoliches in the world, Dragotha is
Kyuss's favorite servant. He keeps a horde of zombies around
him at all times, and if severely injured casts devastate
undead to protect himself. He likes to tear into his foes with
tooth and claw when he can.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 10) piercing damage plus
14 (4d6) fire damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 17 (2d6 + 10) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 20 ft., one
target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage.
Exhausting Presence. Each creature of Dragotha’s
choice that is within 120 feet of him must succeed on
a DC 25 Constitution saving throw or gain one level of
exhaustion that lasts for 1 minute. If a creature’s saving
throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the
creature is immune to Dragotha's Exhausting Presence
for the next 24 hours.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). Dragotha exhales fire in a
90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a
DC 26 Dexterity saving throw, taking 91 (26d6) fire
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one. Additionally, a creature hit by the
breath must succeed at a DC 26 Strength saving throw
or become restrained until the start of Dragotha's next
turn, as lingering tendrils of fire bind the creature. The
area of his breath is difficult terrain for the same
duration.
Death Wind (1/day). Dragotha exhales absolute doom in
a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a
DC 26 Constitution saving throw, taking 91 (26d6)
necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much
damage on a successful one. Undead within the
breath's area instead gain 26d6 temporary hit points.
The wind also counts as strong wind for the purposes
of dispelling fog. Finally, a creature slain by this damage
rises as an incorporeal undead of Dragotha's choice.
Using this ability expends Fire Breath as well, requiring
Dragotha to roll to regain Fire Breath as if he'd used it.
Legendary Actions
Dragotha can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
the options below. Only one legendary action option
can be used at a time, and only at the end of another
creature’s turn. Dragotha regains spent legendary
actions at the start of his turn.
Detect. Dragotha makes a Wisdom (Perception) or
Intelligence (Investigation) check.
Tail Attack. Dragotha makes a tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). Dragotha beats his
wings. Each creature within 15 ft. of him must succeed
on a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw or take 17 (2d6 +
10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
Dragotha can then fly up to half his flying speed.
He fires off feebleminds at clerics and druids, blackfire at
wizards and sorcerers, and reserves his reactions for
counterspell instead of attacks of opportunity. But he loves to
get his claws dirty, and engages in melee if he can.
39
 Dread
Small undead, unaligned

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)

Hit Points 22 (5d6 + 5)
Speed 5ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

14 (+2) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 12 (+1)

Saving Throws Con +3, Wis +2

Damage Immunities cold, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned, prone
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 19
Languages understands all languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Reflective Fear. If the dread is affected by an ability

that could make it frightened, the effect is reflected
back at the caster or creator, with the same DC.

Actions
Multiattack. The dread can use its Frightful
Presence. It then attacks once.
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 9 (2d6 + 2) slashing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 6 (1d4 + 4) slashing damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dread's
choice that is within 30 feet of the dread and aware
of it must succeed on a DC 11 Wisdom saving
throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of
each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a
success. A target that succeeds on the saving throw
is immune to the Frightful Presence of all dreads
for the next 24 hours.

Dread
A dread is a pair of animated skeletal arms created for use as
an undead guardian. Like a skeleton, it is a mindless
automaton that obeys the commands of its master, but it also
carries an aura of supernatural terror. Each of a dread’s arms
is 2 to 4 feet long and weighs 10 to 40 pounds.
Dreads do only what they are ordered to do, but they can
accept reasonably complex commands based on observable
characteristics such as race, equipment, spoken passwords,
or specific actions. For example, a dread might be ordered to
attack all intruders except elves and creatures displaying a
certain token.

40
 Dream Vestige
Huge undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 18
Hit Points 294 (30d12 + 120)
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (-5) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 20 (+5)
Saving Throws Constitution +9, Wisdom +9
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, psychic;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
weapons
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses blindsight 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages all languages its victims knew
Challenge 16 (15,000 XP)
Dream Shield. The dream vestige adds its Charisma to
AC (included).
Descrated Aura. The dream vestige projects an aura of
descrated terrain out to 20 feet.
Incorporeal Movement. The dream vestige can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Dream Vestige
The first dream vestige was created by Orcus. Since then, the
creature has duplicated itself many times. Vestiges even prey
upon other undead, seeking to consume all they can.
Split. If the dream vestige ever has as much temporay
HP as regular, it becomes two vestiges at its current
HP.
Actions
Multiattack. The dream vestige can use its Frightful
Presence and Absorb. It then makes four tendril
attacks.
Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 20ft.,
one target. Hit 15 (3d6 + 5) psychic damage and the
target’s Intelligence score is reduced by 1d4. If this
reduces its Intelligence to 0, it is stunned until it
regains at least one point of Intelligence. Otherwise,
the reduction lasts until the target receives a greater
restoration spell or similar magic.
The dream vestige gains 5 temporary hit points per
point of Intelligence it drains. These temporary hit
points stack with themselves, but do not stack with
those from any other source.
Absorb. The dream vestige kills any number of
creatures within 20 feet with 0 Intelligence, totally
subsuming them.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the dream vestige's
choice that is within 30 feet of the dream vestige and
aware of it must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving
throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature
can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. A target
that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to the
dream vestige's Frightful Presence for the next 24
hours.
41
 Drowned
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 200 (21d8 + 105)
Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 11 (+0) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1)
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren't
silvered
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Abyssal
Challenge 8 (6305 XP)
Drowning Aura. Any creature that comes within 30
feet of a drowned has its lungs or other respiratory
organs fill with water. It then has the normal
amount of time to survive. The water can be
removed by a DC 20 Constitution saving throw as
an action by the afflicted creature, or a DC 20
Wisdom (Medicine) check as an action by a
creature within 5 feet.
This ability has no effect on creatures that don't
breathe or those that breathe water, whether
innately or through magic.
Regeneration. The drowned regains 5 hit points at
the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the drowned
to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a
success, the drowned drops to 1 hit point instead.
Actions
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) bludgeoning
damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed
on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked
prone.
Drowned
The drowned lost their lives in the watery deep. The evidence
of their gasping death always saturates their clothing and
flesh, and fills the air around them.
Many drowned came to their current circumstances when
their ships went down at sea with all hands. Others, more
ancient, first arose when their island homes sank beneath the
waves ages ago, drowning all.
Dust Wight
Dust wights are hateful creatures formed by a conjunction of
elemental earth and negative energy. They seek to tear down
and destroy all creations of stone and metal, and if they have
to kill living creatures to do that, so much the better.
42
Dust Wight
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 120 (16d8 + 48)
Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 8 (-1) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 11 (+0) 11 (+0)
Saves Str +7, Wis +3
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +2
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
that aren't adamantine
Damage Immunities poison
Damage Vulnerabilities thunder
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages Terran
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Earth Glide. The wight can burrow through
nonmagical, unworked earth and stone. While
doing so, the wight doesn’t disturb the material it
moves through.
Petrifying Cloud. When a creature starts its turn
within 5 ft. of the wight, it must make a DC 14
Constitution saving throw. If the saving throw fails
by 5 or more, the creature is instantly petrified.
Otherwise, a creature that fails the save begins to
turn to stone and is restrained. The restrained
creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of
its next turn, becoming petrified on a failure or
ending the effect on a success. The petrification
lasts until the creature is freed by the greater
restoration spell or other magic.
Actions
Multiattack. The dust wight makes two crumbling
slam attacks.
Crumbling Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 4)
bludgeoning damage. If the target is an object or
structure, or a creature mostly made of rock or
metal (such as an iron golem or petrified creature),
this attack does double damage and is magical.
Additionally, if the target is wearing nonmagical
armor or a shield made of metal or stone, one of
those takes a permanent and cumulative -2 penalty
to the AC it offers. Armor reduced to an AC of 10
or a shield that drops to a +0 bonus is destroyed.
 Earthcancer Centipede
Gargantuan undead (wormspawn), chaotic evil
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 245 (14d20 + 98)
Speed 60 ft., burrow 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
28 (+9) 18 (+4) 24 (+7) 3 (-4) 14 (+2) 3 (-4)
Saves Str +14, Con +12, Wis +7
Skills Perception +12, Stealth +9, Survival +7
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 120 ft., passive
Perception 22
Languages —
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)
Alacrity. The earthcancer centipede has advantage on
Dexterity saving throws, ignores difficult terrain, and
has advantage on saving throws against being knocked
prone. It also gains an additional action on each of its
turns. That action can be used only to take the Attack
(one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or
Use an Object action.
Earthcancer Aura. The earthcancer centipede is
surrounded by an aura of supernatural energy that
invades and corrupts nearby earth and stone. Leprous
growths of rancid fungi and aberrant rock formations
writhe out of any stony or earthen surface within 60
feet of an earthcancer centipede. This condition
weakens and damages structures. It also counts as
difficult terrain to move through for all non-
wormspawn creatures.
Earthcancer Centipede
Earthcancer centipedes are the result of Kyuss’ attempt to
generate undead useful in sieges. An earthcancer centipede
is thirty-five feet long and weighs 18 tons.
Centurypede
Centurypedes are the creatures that Kyuss creates
earthcancer centipedes from. They do not have the
Earthcancer Aura nor Obey the Wormtouched.
They are beasts instead of undead, unaligned, lack
the wormspawned tag, have a 1 (-5) in Intelligence
and Charisma, and lose the earthcancer's damage
and condition immunities.
Additionally, contact with the tainted earth and stone
nauseates living creatures. Any creature who touches
this tainted earth or stone for the first time on a turn
(including those who walk upon it) must make a DC 14
Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the
start of its next turn. If it fails this save by 5 or more, it
is incapacitated while poisoned in this way.
Creatures predominately made of earth (such as earth
elementals) that start their turns within 60 feet of an
earthcancer centipede or enter that radius for the first
time on a turn must also make a DC 14 Fortitude save
or take 33 (6d10) necrotic damage, or half on a
successful save.
Obey the Wormtouched. Although it is nearly mindless,
an earthcancer centipede unerringly understands and
follows commands given by other undead servants of
Kyuss.
Regeneration. The earthcancer centipede regains 10 hit
points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Siege Monster. The earthcancer centipede deals double
damage to objects and structures.
Tunneler. The earthcancer centipede can burrow
through solid rock at half its burrowing speed and
leaves a 20-foot-wide tunnel in its wake.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 31 (4d10 + 9) piercing damage and if
the target is a creature it must succeed on a DC 20
Constitution saving throw or take 10 (3d6) poison
damage. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0
hit points, the target is stable but poisoned until cured,
even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while
poisoned in this way.
43
 Elhoriad
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 60 (8d8 + 24)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1)
Saves Wis +2
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Entropic Reflection. Whenever the elhoriad would
take necrotic damage, it is instead reflected back at
the damage's source.
Magic Weapons. The elhoriad's weapon attacks are
magical.
Tharizdun's Blessing. The elhoriad has advantage on
saving throws against being charmed or frightened,
as well as against being turned or rebuked.
Actions
Multiattack. The elhoriad makes two attacks. If two
claws hit the same target, the elhoriad rends the
target, dealing an extra 5 (2d4) slashing damage.
Entropic Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) slashing
damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed
on a DC 13 Constitution save or have its Strength
and Constitution scores reduced by 1d4 (roll
separately). The target dies if this reduces its
Constitution to 0, and is paralyzed if this reduces
its Strength to 0 until it regains at least 1 point of
Strength. Otherwise, the reductions last until the
target receives a greater restoration spell or similar
magic.
Nightforged Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5
to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3)
slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) if used with both
hands. A creature who dies with unhealed wounds
from this weapon cannot be brought back from the
dead by any means short of true resurrection or
wish.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing
damage.
44
Entomber
Medium undead, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 90 (12d8+36)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
21 (+5) 10 (0) 17 (+3) 4 (-3) 14 (+2) 15 (+2)
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical weapons that aren't
silvered
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Turn Resistance. The entomber has advantage
against all abilities that turn undead.
Actions
Entombing Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5)
bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it
must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity save or be
pounded into a shallow grave. The location of the
entombed creature is visible to other creatures. It
takes two actions to excavate the creature, or one if
using a shovel, which is considered to be grappled
by the ground (escape DC 20) and restrained by the
ground while grappled in this way. If the creature is
not excavated, it may run out of air (adjudicated by
the DM)
Exhume. As an action, an entomber touches a place
where a creature is buried no deeper than 10 feet.
The body immediately rises to the surface, leaving
no hole or tunnel. A body is not harmed when
brought to the surface in this manner.
Elhoriad
The cult of Tharizdun created the elhoriads to act as
guardians. The cult researched the various methods of
undead creation for several years and even went so far as to
recruit accomplished necromancers into their ranks to
unlock the secrets that would allow them to manipulate the
various forms of undead. Cultists produced elhoriads by
taking the base skeleton and infusing them with the very
power of entropy channeled from unearthed remnants of
Tharizdun's once-mighty artifacts. This grants these
creatures their above average intelligence and their deadly
entropic touch ability, as well as their nightforged swords.
Entomber
Beloved by necromancers, entombers specialize in bringing
corpses out of the ground—or pounding them back in.
 Ephemeral Swarm
Large swarm of Tiny undead, unaligned

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 68 (9d10 + 18)
Speed 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

1 (-5) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 15 (+2)

Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,

thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages —
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Ephemeral. The ephemeral swarm can’t wear or

carry anything.
Incorporeal Movement. The swarm can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Turn Vulnerability. Because the swarm is a collective
of weak undead, the swarm has disadvantage on
saving throws against any effect that turns or
rebukes undead.
Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s
space and vice versa, and the swarm can move
through any opening large enough for a Tiny rat.
The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary
hit points.
Evasion. If the swarm is subjected to an effect that
allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take
only half damage, the swarm instead takes no
damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only
half damage if it fails.

Actions
Necrotic Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm’s space. Hit: 18
(4d8) necrotic damage, or 9 (2d8) necrotic damage
if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer. If the
target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14
Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum
is reduced by an amount equal to the damage
taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a
long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its
hit point maximum to 0.

Ephemeral Swarm
These swarms are the result of hundreds of little creatures
that died together.

45
 Euralden Eye
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 117 (18d6 + 54)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 13 (+1) 16 (+3)
Skills Arcana +10, Perception +4, Stealth +8
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities cold, psychic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but
can't speak, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the eye to 0 hit
points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a
DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is
radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the eye
drops to 1 hit point instead.
Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The euralden eye’s innate
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 15). It
can innately cast the following spells, requiring no
components:
At will: detect magic, faerie fire, light, no light
Spider Climb. The eye can climb difficult surfaces,
including upside down on ceilings, without needing to
make an ability check.
Actions
Multiatattack. The eye makes two claw attacks and a
bite attack.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
Euralden Eye
The euralden eye is a potent psionic undead.
46
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage plus 6 (1d12)
psychic damage.
Energy Stun. The eye chooses a point within 30 feet of
it. Each creature within 5 feet of this point must make
a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, the
creature takes 14 (4d6) acid, cold, fire, lightning, or
thunder damage (eye's choice when taking this action),
or half on a success.
Additionally, any creature affected by this ability must
make a DC 15 Intelligence saving throws or be stunned
until the start of the eye's next turn.
Recall Agony. The eye bends the fabric of time, forcing
a creature within 120 feet of it to make a DC 15
Intelligence saving throw. The creature takes 39
(6d12) psychic damage on a failure, or half on a
success. After a failed save, the creature has muddled
thoughts for 1 minute. During that time, it rolls a d6
and subtracts the number rolled from all its attack rolls
and ability checks, as well as its Constitution saving
throws to maintain concentration. The target can make
an Intelligence saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on itself on a success
Calcifying Cone. The eye's gaze creates a 60-foot cone.
Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 14
Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a target
begins to turn to stone and is restrained. The restrained
target must repeat the saving throw at the end of its
next turn. On a success, the effect ends on the target.
On a failure, the target is petrified until freed by the
greater restoration spell or other magic.
While petrified in this way, the creature animates as a
stone version of itself (use the stats described for the
creatures made by animate objects for its size). The
construct is under the eye's control.
Reactions
Catfall. When the euralden eye falls, it can take this
reaction. The euralden eye takes no damage from
falling and does not land prone. It also has advantage
on Dexterity saves until the end of its next turn.
 Eye of Fear and Flame
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 127 (17d8 + 51)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 17 (+3) 19 (+4)
Skills Stealth +5, Intimidation +10
Saves Con +6, Wis +6
Damage Resistances piercing, slashing
Damage Immunities cold, fire, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities blinded, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Eye of Fear. As a bonus action, the eye of fear and
flame can cast fear (DC 15), no concentration
required. It can still use Eye of Flame on this turn.
Turn Resistance. The eye of fear and flame has
advantage on saving throws against any effect that
turns undead.
Madness. The eye of fear and flame has advantage
on saving throws against being charmed.
Blindness Reflection. When targeted by a spell or
effect that could cause blindness, the spell is
automatically reflected back at its caster, who must
make a save against their own ability.
Innate Spellcasting. The eye’s spellcasting ability is
Charisma (spell save DC 15). The eye can innately
cast the following spells, requiring no material
components:
At will: detect magic, detect thoughts
Actions
Multiattack. The eye of fear and flame makes two
claw attacks.
Eye of Flame (Recharge 5 or 6). The eye of fear and
flame casts fireball as a 5th-level spell (DC 15). This
fireball deals vile damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Etherealness. The eye of fear and flame enters the
Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice
versa. It can't affect or be affected by anything on
the other plane.
Eye of Fear and Flame
Eyes of fear and flame roam about underground and in dark
forests, forcing good people to do evil things.
Famine Spirit
Large undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 9
Hit Points 609 (42d10 + 379)
Speed 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 8 (-1) 28 (+9) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 16 (+3)
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 19 (22,000 XP)
Regeneration. The famine spirit regains 50 hit
points at the start of its turn. If the famine spirit
takes radiant damage, this trait doesn't function at
the start of the famine spirit's next turn. The famine
spirit dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points
and doesn't regenerate.
Aura of Pain. As a bonus action, the famine spirit
causes all creatures of its choice within 60 feet to
suffer crippling pain. Affected creatures must make
a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature
is incapacitated with excruciating pain for 1
minute. Success indicates the creature is immune
to this famine spirit's aura of pain for the next
minute, after which it must save again. Constructs
ignore this effect.
Magic Resistance. The famine spirit has advantage
on saves against spells and other magical effects.
Actions
Vorpal Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit: The target takes 12 (2d8 + 3)
slashing damage. On a critical hit, the famine spirit
bites the target's head off. This attack scores a
critical hit on rolls of 19 or 20. If the creature
doesn't have or need a head, it instead takes an
extra 6d8 slashing damage.
Etherealness. The famine spirit enters the Ethereal
Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is
visible on the Material Plane while it is in the
Border Ethereal, and vice versa, yet it can't affect or
be affected by anything on the other plane.
Famine Spirit
A famine spirit eats everything and anything that a living
being could, but its hunger is never sated. They ignore the
living unless the living get in the way of their feasts, but a
single famine spirit can eat more than a hundred men do.
47
 Fleshless Reaper
Large undead, same alignment as its creator (usually
neutral evil)
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 102 (12d10 + 36)
Speed 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 3 (-4)
Saves Dex +9, Con +7, Wis +4
Skills Investigation +6, Perception +4, Stealth +9,
Survival +4
Damage Resistances cold, necrotic; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive
Perception 14
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Assassinate. During its first turn, the reaper has
advantage on attack rolls against any creature that
hasn’t taken a turn. Any hit the reaper scores against a
surprised creature is a critical hit.
Avoidance. If the reaper is subjected to an effect that
allows it to make a saving throw to take only half
damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on
the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Caged Soul. The ritual that creates a fleshless reaper
also creates a soul cage keyed to that reaper. Anyone
possessing the soul cage can use the fleshless reaper’s
senses and give it orders telepathically as long as both
are on the same plane. A fleshless reaper cannot
disobey any order given to it by any individual in
possession of the soul cage. If a fleshless reaper’s soul
cage is destroyed (the cage has hardness 8 and 30 hit
points, and counts as a Tiny object) it may attempt to
revert to the original alignment of the humanoid soul
within by succeeding on a Wisdom saving throw
against its creator's spell save DC. Otherwise it retains
the alignment of its creator.
Fleshless Reaper
A foul undead stalker created by paranoid necromancers, the
fleshless reaper has the intelligence to further its master’s
plans without the free will to interfere. Created from
humanoid bones stewed in blood and assembled with
psionically charged obsidian and crystal, the intellect of a
reaper comes from a humanoid soul bound to the macabre
frame; what little remains of his or her personality is then
twisted to resemble that of its new master. Only once the soul
cage to which it is bound is smashed can these unfortunates
find peace, though the vast majority find themselves sold to
whoever will pay for such a loyal, if macabre, servant.
48
Shadow Action. While in dim light or darkness, the
reaper can use a bonus action to take the Dash,
Disengage, or Hide action.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The reaper deals an extra 7 (2d6)
damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and
has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is
within 5 ft. of an ally of the reaper that isn’t
incapacitated and the reaper doesn’t have disadvantage
on the attack roll.
Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The reaper's spellcasting
ability is Intelligence. The reaper can innately cast the
following spells, requiring no components:
At will: darkness, pass without trace (self only), silence
1/day: dimension door
Actions
Multiattack. The reaper uses its Chilling Gaze. It then
makes two claw attacks or one soul scythe attack.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit: The target takes 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing
damage. Instead of dealing damage, the reaper can
grapple the target (escape DC 16).
Soul Scythe. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: The target takes 14 (2d8 + 5) necrotic
damage. On a critical hit, the reaper rolls four times as
many dice instead of two.
The soul of a creature killed by this attack is sucked
into one of the obsidian shards set in the fleshless
reaper, and cannot be released without destroying the
fleshless reaper unless they possess its soul cage. If a
fleshless reaper or its soul cage is destroyed, all souls
trapped within the reaper are released. A fleshless
reaper without a soul cage cannot trap souls. A
fleshless reaper can hold up to 15 souls at a time, and
cannot trap more if it is already storing 15 souls.
Chilling Gaze. The reaper targets one creature within 30
feet it can see. The creature must succeed on a DC 14
Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, it is paralyzed until
the start of the reaper's next turn. Even on a success,
the target's speed is halved until the start of the
reaper's next turn.
Fleshless reapers usually try to avoid direct combat,
instead picking on individuals when their guard is down, and
will use their spell-like abilities to escape if pressed. They are
at their greatest advantage when stalking prey in cluttered or
enclosed environments where cover is easy to find,
assassinating targets one at a time and returning the souls
collected to their masters—often to serve as the animating
force behind yet more fleshless reapers.
Reapers likes to cast darkness on their scythes, thus
enabling them to take full advantage of their blindsight and
Shadow Action. When not expecting battle, they always have
Pass Without Trace active. Virtually all are created against
their will, but a very few willingly choose to become one.
 Forsaken Shell
Medium undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 15 ft., swim 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

21 (+5) 17 (+3) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)

Skills Stealth +9
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned, prone
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive
Perception 12
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 6 (2,900 XP)

Amorphous. The shell can move through a space as

narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
Damage Transfer. While grappling a creature, the
shell takes only half the damage dealt to it (rounded
down), and that creature takes the other half.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the shell to 0
hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a
success, the shell drops to 1 hit point instead.

Actions
Multiattack. The forsaken shell makes a skin slap
attack and a constrict attack.
Skin Slap. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10
ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 5) bludgeoning
damage and the target must make a DC 18
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning
damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 18).
Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained,
blinded, and at risk of suffocating, and the shell
can't constrict another target.
A creature killed by this ability rises as a forsaken
shell at initiative count 20 in 1d4 rounds.

Forsaken Shell
Forsaken shells are what they appear to be—the empty skins
of past victims, purged of their bloody and visceral former
contents. The loose skins possess an amazing strength and
elasticity, driven by necromantic élan and a predatory nature
that cannot be denied.

49
 Ghostly Visage Gaze of Terror. When a creature that can see the ghostly
visage's manifested face starts its turn within 30 feet
Tiny undead, same alignment as its host (chaotic evil
when hostless) of the visage, the visage can force it to make a DC 13
Wisdom saving throw if the visage isn’t incapacitated
Armor Class 18 (natural armor) and can see the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5
Hit Points 7 (2d4 + 2) or more, the creature is frightened of the visage and
Speed 0 ft., fly 10 ft. (hover) paralyzed while frightened in this way. Otherwise, a
creature is frightened of the visage on a failed save. In
either case, the creature can repeat the save at the end
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. A
target that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to
1 (-5) 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 9 (-1) 16 (+3) the Gaze of Terror of all ghostly visages for the next 24
hours.
Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical does so, it has disadvantage on attack rolls against the
weapons visage and its host until the start of its next turn. If the
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison creature looks at the visage or its host in the
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9 meantime, it must immediately make the saving throw.
Languages the languages it knew in life Manifest. While melded, the ghostly visage can
Challenge 1 (450 XP) superimpose a horrific face over the creature it is
melded with as a bonus action. The face lasts until the
Ephemeral. The visage can’t wear or carry anything. start of the visage's next turn. The visage must be
manifesting to use its Gaze of Terror ability. While
Incorporeal Movement. The visage can move through manifested, the visage can be targeted with attacks and
other creatures and objects as if they were difficult harmful spells. If an attack misses the visage but rolled
terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its high enough to hit the creature it's melded with, the
turn inside an object. attack hits the host creature.

Actions
Meld. As an action, the ghostly visage fuses with a
corporeal creature it touches. An unwilling creature can
make a DC 13 Charisma save, negating the effect on a
success. Upon successfully melding, the ghostly visage
vanishes into the corporeal creature's body, becoming
untargetable and invulnerable unless it uses Manifest.

Ghostly Visage
A minor undead spirit, a ghostly visage cannot harm any
creature by itself. However, it has a frightening gaze that can
paralyze opponents. It is often found melded with a more
powerful creature, who gives it a home and it can bestow its
talents upon.

50
 Black Ice Golem Magic Resistance. The golem has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Huge construct, unaligned
Siege Monster. The golem deals double damage to
Armor Class 17 (natural armor) objects and structures.
Hit Points 184 (16d12 + 80)
Speed 30 ft. Uttercold Magic Weapons. The golem's weapon attacks
are magical. When the golem hits with any weapon, the
weapon deals an extra 2d6 cold damage and an extra
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 2d6 necrotic damage (included in the attack).
24 (+7) 9 (-1) 20 (+5) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 1 (-5) Actions
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison, psychic; Multiattack. The golem makes two slam attacks and
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical uses Ice Shards if it's available.
attacks that aren't adamantine Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
Damage Vulnerabilities fire one target. Hit: 17 (3d6 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, 7 (2d6) cold damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. If
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 18
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 9 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is
Languages understands the languages of its creator but reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage
can't speak taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP) long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit
point maximum to 0.
Cold Aura. At the start of each of the golem’s turns,
each creature within 20 feet of it other than itself takes Ice Shards (Recharge 5-6). Every creature within 10 feet
7 (2d6) cold damage. A creature that touches the of the black ice golem must make a DC 18 Dexterity
golem or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet saving throw. On a failure, it takes 7 (2d6) piercing
of it takes 7 (2d6) cold damage. damage, 7 (2d6) cold damage, 7 (2d6) necrotic
damage, and is blinded until the end of the golem's
Uttercold Absorption. Whenever the golem is subjected next turn. On a success, it takes half damage and is not
to cold or necrotic damage, it takes no damage and blinded. Any creature hit by this ability must also
instead regains a number of hit points equal to the cold succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or its
or necrotic damage dealt. hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to
the necrotic damage taken. This reduction lasts until
Immutable Form. The golem is immune to any spell or the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this
effect that would alter its form. effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Golem, Black Ice

Black ice golems are made of blood-filled ice charged with
negative energy.

51
 Bone Golem
Large construct, unaligned
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 123 (13d10 + 52)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 3 (-4) 8 (-1) 1 (-5)
Damage Immunities poison, psychic; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
that aren't adamantine
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands the languages of its creator
but can't speak
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Consume Skeleton. As a bonus action, the bone
golem can destroy one animated skeleton within 5
feet of it. The bone golem then regains hit points or
temporary hit points (its choice) equal to the
skeleton's current hit points.
Immutable Form. The golem is immune to any spell
or effect that would alter its form.
Magic Resistance. The golem has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Magic Weapons. The golem's weapon attacks are
magical.
Actions
Multiattack. The golem makes two claw attacks.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) piercing damage.
Instead of dealing damage, the golem can grapple
the target (escape DC 17). Every time a creature
tries to escape this grapple, it takes 10 (4d4)
piercing damage regardless of the outcome.
Dread Roar (Recharge 5-6). The golem roars
magically. Every enemy within 300 feet of the
golem that can hear it must succeed on a DC 16
Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1
minute. A frightened creature can repeat the save at
the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success. A frightened target within 60
feet is paralyzed. A target that successfully saves is
immune to the dread roar of all bone golems for
the next 24 hours.
Golem, Bone
Bone golems are made up of once-animated bones, but they
are constructs, not undead.
52
Grave Dirt Golem
Large construct, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 133 (14d10 + 56)
Speed 20ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 9 (-1) 18 (+4) 3 (-4) 8 (-1) 1 (-5)
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, psychic;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
nonmagical attacks that aren't adamantine
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands the languages of its creator
but can't speak
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
Necrotic Absorption. Whenever the golem is
subjected to necrotic damage, it takes no damage
and instead regains a number of hit points equal to
the necrotic damage dealt.
Berserk. Whenever the golem starts its turn with 60
hit points or fewer, roll a d6. On a 6, the golem
goes berserk. On each of its turns while berserk,
the golem attacks the nearest creature it can see. If
no creature is near enough to move to and attack,
the golem attacks an object, with preference for an
object smaller than itself. Once the golem goes
berserk, it continues to do so until it is destroyed or
regains all its hit points.
Immutable Form. The golem is immune to any spell
or effect that would alter its form.
Magic Resistance. The golem has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Magic Weapons.The golem's weapon attacks are
magical.
Actions
Multiattack. The golem makes two slam attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 16 (2d10+5) bludgeoning damage
and 7 (2d6) necrotic damage on the golem's next
turn. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a
DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its hit
point maximum reduced by an amount equal to the
necrotic damage taken. The target dies if this
reduces its hit point maximum to 0. The reduction
lasts until removed by the greater restoration spell
or other magic.
Golem, Grave Dirt
Grave dirt golems are very unpleasant to fight, for their blows
foul the flesh of those they hit.
 Shadesteel Golem
Medium construct, unaligned
Armor Class 27 (natural armor)
Hit Points 95 (10d8 + 50)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 25 (+7) 20 (+5) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 1 (-5)
Skills Stealth +15
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, psychic;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
attacks not made with adamantine weapons
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands the languages of its creator but
can't speak
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Avoidance. If the golem is subjected to an effect that
allows it to make a saving throw to take only half
damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on
the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Necrotic Absorption. Whenever the golem is subjected
to necrotic damage, it takes no damage and instead
regains a number of hit points equal to the necrotic
damage dealt.
Light Haste. If the golem takes radiant damage, it
speeds up as if affected by the spell haste for 1 minute.
The golem is also hasted whenever it is subject to a
positive energy effect, such as the turning attempt of a
cleric. This might happen if the cleric has mistakenly
identified the creature as a nightwalker or other
undead, or if the golem is standing near undead.
Immutable Form. The golem is immune to any spell or
effect that would alter its form.
Magic Resistance. The golem has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons. The golem's weapon attacks are
magical.
Shadow Blend. In any lighting other than true daylight,
the golem can choose to be heavily obscured to all
other creatures (no action required).
Actions
Multiattack. The golem makes two fist attacks and uses
Negative Pulse Wave if it can.
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit: 20 (2d12 + 7) bludgeoning, piercing, or
slashing damage. Instead of dealing damage, the golem
can grapple the target (escape DC 13).
Negative Pulse Wave (Recharge 5-6). All creatures within
40 feet of the golem must make a DC 17 Constitution
saving throw or take 35 (10d6) necrotic damage. On a
successful save, they instead take half. Undead are
healed instead of damaged.

Golem, Shadesteel
Shadesteel golems are constructs that closely resemble
undead. Unlike clunking iron golems, shadesteel golems are
precise and silent. Many golems are actually disguised as
undead, to make adventurers try to turn them.

Variant: Tombstone Golem

To create a tombstone golem, start with the stone
golem, increase the CR to 12, remove the Slow
action, and add the trait below:
Slay Living (Recharge 5-6). When it hits a creature
with a melee attack, the golem can force the
creature to make a DC 17 Constitution saving
throw against this magic. On a failed save, the
target drops to 0 hit points. This has no effect on
undead or constructs.

53
 Although gravecrawlers are most certainly undead, it's
unclear what they were in life. It's possible they represent a
Gravecrawler collective will and guardian of the graveyard's inhabitants.
Small undead, lawful neutral

Armor Class 21 (natural armor)

Hit Points 52 (8d6 + 24)
Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

10 (+0) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 11 (+0)

Skills History +9
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing damage from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive
Perception 10
Languages Common, Terran, three local
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Innate Spellcasting. The gravecrawler's spellcasting

ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 14). The
gravecrawler can innately cast the following spells,
requiring no material components:
At will: earthbind, earth tremor, Maximilian's
earthen grasp, mold earth, speak with dead
Earth Glide. The gravecrawler can burrow through
nonmagical, unworked earth and stone. While
doing so, the gravecrawler doesn’t disturb the
material it moves through.
Calcifying Aura. At the start of each of the
gravecrawler’s turns, every non-gravecrawler
creature made of flesh within 30 feet has its
Constitution score is reduced by 1. A creature
whose Constitution is reduced to 0 is petrified until
it regains at least one point of Constitution.
Otherwise, the reduction lasts until the target
finishes a short or long rest.

Actions
Calcifying Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit 8 (2d4 + 3) piercing
damage and the target must succeed on a DC 14
Constitution saving throw or be affected as if by a
slow spell. If the gravecrawler hits the target again
while the target is slowed, the target must make
another DC 14 Constitution saving throw, suffering
the effects of a flesh to stone spell on a failure.
Neither of these effects require concentration. A
creature killed by this attack is petrified.

Gravecrawler
A small sluglike undead, the gravecrawler is a guardian spirit
of graveyards. It is despised by necromancers, for its
presence in a graveyard gradually petrifies the corpses.

54
 Gravehound
Large undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 75 (10d10 + 20)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 7 (-2) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
Skills Perception +5
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Damage Immunities poison
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Giant, Winter Wolf
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Keen Hearing and Smell. The gravehound has
advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely
on hearing or smell.
Pack Tactics. The gravehound has advantage on an
attack roll against a creature if at least one of the
gravehound’s allies is within 5 ft. of the creature
and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage. If
the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 12
Constitution saving throw or saving throw or be
stunned until the end of its next turn.
Gravehound
The reanimated remains of winter wolves, these creatures
gain a fearsome stunning bite.
Graveyard Sludge
Graveyard sludges result from the defilement of corpses.
They bridge the gap between the living and the dead, and
Graveyard Sludge
Large ooze, unaligned
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 72 (8d10 + 32)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 feet
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 19 (+4) 1 (-5) 6 (-2) 1 (-5)
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened,
exhaustion, frightened, prone
Damage Immunities acid, cold, necrotic, radiant
Senses blindsight 120 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
passive Perception 8
Languages —
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Amorphous. The sludge can move through a space
as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
Between Worlds. Whenever the graveyard sludge is
subjected to necrotic or radiant damage, it takes no
damage and instead regains a number of hit points
equal to the necrotic or radiant damage dealt.
Spider Climb. The pudding can climb difficult
surfaces, including upside down on ceilings,
without needing to make an ability check.
Actions
Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning
damage plus 18 (4d8) acid damage.
Oozespawn Zombies. The graveyard sludge targets
any number of humanoids within 20 feet of it who
died in the last minute. All affected humanoids rise
as ooze zombies (see the Variant Abilities section
above) under the graveyard sludge's control.
Spirit Resurgence. The graveyard ooze releases its
latent spirit energy. All creatures within 5 feet must
succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be
affected as if by a fear spell.
Vigor of the Dead. The graveyard ooze touches one
undead creature within 5 feet. Until the start of the
ooze's next turn, that creature has advantage on
saving throws, resistance against piercing,
bludgeoning, and slashing from nonmagical
weapons that aren't silvered, and its necromancy
spells are cast as if one level higher.
55
 Grimweird
Medium undead, lawful evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 60 (24d8 - 48)
Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (-3) 13 (+1) 6 (-2) 18 (+4) 17 (+3) 20 (+5)
Skills Arcana +12, Deception +9, Investigation +8,
Intimidation +9, Persuasion +9, Religion +8
Saving Throws Constitution +2, Intelligence +8,
Wisdom +7, Charisma +9
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, poison
Senses darvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Grimweird Cunning. The grimweird has advantage on
Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.
Mage Sight. The grimweird can determine all spell
effects upon creatures within 60 feet it can see
unerringly.
Innate Spellcasting. The grimweird can innately cast
conjure undead as a 9th-level spell at will, requiring no
material components.
Actions
Multicast. The grimweird can use Benign Transposition,
Reave Magic, Summon Undead Minions, and/or
Summon Undead if they are available.
Grimweird
Grimweirds are humanoids who have bonded body and soul
with the Negative Energy Plane, and can call undead out of it
inherently. They try to have a hulking corpse summoned at all
times.
56
Benign Transposition (Recharge 5, 6). The grimweird
chooses a space within 30 feet that is occupied by a
willing creature and swaps places with that creature.
Reave Magic (Recharge 6). The grimweird dispels all
spells of 3rd level or lower on one target within 30
feet. For each spell of 4th level or higher, it makes a
Charisma check against a DC of 10 + the spell's level.
On a success, it dispels that spell. It can choose to
steal any or all spells dispelled with this ability for itself.
Summon Undead (Recharge 6). The grimweird
summons one undead creature of CR 6 or lower within
90 feet. The creature is friendly to the grimweird and
follows its orders. It stays for 1 minute or until it drops
to 0 hit points, at which time it disappears.
Summon Undead Minions (Recharge 4, 5, 6). The
grimweird summons undead as if by the summon
undead minions spell, no concentration required.
These undead last for 1 minute or until they drop to 0
hit points, at which time they disappear.
Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 19 (4d8 + 1) necrotic damage. The
target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving
throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an
amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts
until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if
this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Reactions
Duck Behind. When the grimweird would take damage,
it can cause one willing creature within 5 feet of it to
take the damage instead.
 Taunting Haunt
Medium undead, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 11 (+0) 18 (+4)
Skills Acrobatics +7, Arcana +5, Deception +8, History
+5, Intimidation +8, Nature +5, Perception +2,
Performance +8, Religion +5, Sleight of Hand +7
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
weapons
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Encore. If it dies, the taunting haunt returns to life in 24
hours and regains all its hit points. Not even a wish
spell or the direct intervention of a deity can prevent
this trait from functioning. These creatures can be
driven away only when defeated in a battle of wits or
put to rest only when their final wishes are met.
Incorporeal Movement. The haunt can move through
other creatures and objects as if they were difficult
terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its
turn inside an object.
Haunt, Taunting
Haunts are spirits that left unfinished business in life and
have returned to seek recompense. Victims of injustice,
haunts have no qualms about causing others to suffer as they
did. A haunt can’t be permanently defeated by normal means,
instead, someone must right the wrongs that led to its grim
state.
A taunting haunt is the twisted, jealous spirit of a deceased
bard, jester, or other performer. Bitter and angry, and
resentful of the living, a taunting haunt uses its sharp wit,
cruel humor, and spiteful performances to create havoc and
chaos wherever it goes.
Taunting haunts pose a minimal physical threat, yet they
are dreaded by almost anyone unfortunate enough to
encounter them. With their biting sense of humor and
relentless spirit, they can prove more difficult to handle than
foes in a stand-up f ght.
Innate Spellcasting. The haunt’s spellcasting ability is
Charisma (spell save DC 14). The haunt can innately
cast the following spells, requiring no material
components:
At will: create equipment, dancing lights, douse,
friends, hex, minor illusion, prestidigitation
3/day: charming lie, grease, invisibility (self only),
Tasha's hideous laughter
1/day: fear, glibness, major image, Nystul's magic aura
Actions
Stupefy (Recharge 5-6). One creature within 30 feet of
the haunt must make a DC 14 Intelligence save. On a
failure, it is incapacitated until the start of the haunt's
next turn, and its speed is 0 for the same duration. It
also has disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and
Charisma checks for 1 minute.
Reactions
Tripping Tongue (3/day). A taunting haunt can force an
opponent to speak the opposite of an intended
statement as a reaction. An entreaty for peace becomes
a challenge to battle. A friendly greeting becomes an
insulting threat. If that foe succeeds on a DC 14
Wisdom save, this ability has no effect. Anyone
listening to a creature affected by this ability can make
a DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check to notice that the
affected creature has been compelled to speak
unintended words.
Vicious Lampoon. When an opponent within 30 feet
misses with an attack, a taunting haunt can, deliver a
short, scathing commentary on that foe’s competence
(or lack thereof). The subject must succeed on a DC 14
Wisdom save or take disadvantage on attack rolls,
ability checks, and saving throws until the end of its
next turn.
57
 Hopping Vampire
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 68 (9d8 + 27)
Speed 20ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 4 (-3) 16 (+3) 7 (-3) 9 (-1) 12 (+1)
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from jade weapons
Damage Resistances cold, lightning
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical weapons that
aren't made of jade
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Breath Sight. The hopping vampire can never see
living creatures, but it can sense their breaths as if
it had blindsight to 120 feet. If they hold their
breath, they are effectively invisible to it. A creature
that falls unconscious stops holding its breath.
Actions
Multiattack. The hopping vampire makes two claw
attacks.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage, and
the target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving
throw. On a failure, it begins a gradual
transformation into a hopping vampire itself. This
transformation takes 1d4 + 1 days. A creature can
extend the limit by spending 1 hour dancing on
pure sticky rice. For each hour spent in this way
before taking a long rest, the creature must make a
DC 10 + number of hours Constitution saving
throw or gain one level of exhaustion. A remove
curse spell ends the vampiric curse.
Hopping Vampire
If a corpse is buried at an inauspicious location, it often
returns as a hopping vampire, a dreadful creature that
desires only to slay the living.
Huecuva
Huecuvas are created when the chosen of good gods betray
those gods. Unlike liches or death knights, huecuvas are not
intelligent and are little more than cruel beasts. Although
cleric huevucas are the most common, other types of
huecuvas do exist, such as monks, druids, paladins, and
rangers. Cleric huecuvas usually switch to the Death domain.
58
Huecuva
Medium undead, any evil
Armor Class 17 (scale mail, shield)
Hit Points 91 (14d8 + 28)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 7 (-2) 18 (+4) 10 (+0)
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning,
piercing and slashing from nonmagical attacks
that aren't silvered
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Turn Resistance. The huecuve has advantage on
saving throws against effects that turn undead.
Spellcasting. The huecuva is a 5th-level spellcaster.
Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 15,
+7 to hit with spell attacks). The huecuva has the
following cleric spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): chill touch (2d8), guidance,
thaumaturgy, toll the dead (2d8/2d12)
1st-level (4 slots): bane, bless, charm person,
command, false life, ray of sickness
2nd-level (3 slots): blindness/deafness, hold
person, lesser restoration, ray of enfeeblement,
silence
3rd-level (2 slots): animate dead, dispel magic,
spirit guardians, vampiric touch
Touch of Death (Recharge 6). When the huecuva
lands a melee attack, it adds 15 necrotic damage.
Actions
Multiattack. The huecuva attacks once with its
battleaxe and once with its blighted fist.
Battleaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 8 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage
plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.
Blighted Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 7 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning
damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. If the target
is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13
Constitution saving throw or be cursed with
huecuva blight. The cursed target's Strength and
Constitution scores decrease by 1d2 points for
every 24 hours that elapse. If the curse reduces the
target's Strength score to 0, the target is paralyzed
until it regains at least 1 point of Strength. If the
curse reduces the target's Constitution score to 0,
the target dies. The curse lasts until removed by the
remove curse spell or other magic.
 Hulking Corpse
Large undead, unaligned

Armor Class 9
Hit Points 199 (19d10 + 95)
Speed 40 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

23 (+6) 8 (-1) 21 (+5) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 5 (-3)

Saving Throws Con +9, Wis +5

Damage Resistances cold, necrotic; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

Siege Monster. The hulking corpse deals double

damage to objects and structures.
Regeneration. The corpse regains 10 hit points at
the start of its turn. If the corpse takes radiant
damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of
the corpse's next turn. The corpse dies only if it
starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t
regenerate.

Actions
Multiattack. The hulking corpse slams twice. If both
slams hit the same target, the hulking corpse
pulverizes the target, dealing an extra 28 (8d6)
bludgeoning damage.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10ft.,
one target. Hit 20 (4d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
If the target a is Medium or smaller creature, it is
grappled (escape DC 17).

Hulking Corpse
Mindless brutes, hulking corpses excel at destroying things.
Any army of the undead would love to count one among their
ranks, but few can control one.

59
 Inquisitor Torturer's Eye. The inqusitor targets one creature it can
see as a bonus action. The target must contest its
Medium undead, lawful evil
Charisma (Deception) check against the inquisitor’s
Armor Class 16 (natural armor) Wisdom (Medicine) check. If the inquisitor wins, it
Hit Points 60 (8d8 + 24) ignores the target's damage resistances and
Speed 30 ft. immunities and the target has disadvantage on
Concentration checks caused by the inquisitor until the
start of its next turn.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Regeneration. The inquisitor regains 10 hit points at the
13 (+1) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.

Saves Con +5 Actions

Skills Insight +6, Intimidation +7, Investigation +6,
Medicine +6
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common and two local
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Innate Spellcasting. Charisma is the inquisitor's
spellcasting ability (DC 13). The inquisitor can innately
cast the following spells, requiring no material
components:
At will: angry ache, spare the dying
1/day: pain
Torturer. When torturing a creature, the inquisitor has
advantage on Intimidation checks against it, and the
creature has disadvantage on Deception checks.
Instead of dealing damage, the inquisitor can reduce
the target's Charisma by 1. This reduction lasts until
the target takes a long rest.
Multiattack. The inquisitor makes two attacks.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) slashing damage plus 2 (1d4)
vile necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, it must
succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be
frightened until the end of the inquisitor’s next turn. If
it fails the save by 5 or more, it is paralyzed while
frightened in this way.
While the vile damage is unhealed, the creature's
wounds have purple-black streaks. After festering for 1
minute, the vile damage causes the creature to have
disadvantage on saving throws against being frightened
by the inquisitor, and the inquisitor can pinpoint the
creature's location with perfect accuracy as long as
they are on the same plane.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, ranged
150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing
damage.
Horrifying Visage. Each creature within 60 ft. of the
inquisitor that can see it must succeed on a DC 13
Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A
frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the
end of each of its turns, with disadvantage if the
inquisitor is within line of sight, ending the effect on
itself on a success. If a target’s saving throw is
successful or the effect ends for it, the target is
immune to the inquisitor’s Horrifying Visage for the
next 24 hours.

Inquisitor
Horrible ancient undead, these abominations exist only to
torture the secrets out of other creatures, be they living or
undead. They are believed to be an invention of Afflux, though
this is not clear. Some find employment as interrogators for
liches or other powerful undead, while others strike out on
their own. They always seek to incapacitate instead of kill, so
that they can extract all their targets' secrets.

60
 The undead remains of ships' captains or dread pirates, jolly
rogers are feared for their endless, dark chuckling. One jolly
Jolly Roger roger typically commands a crew of sea zombies (use the
Medium undead, chaotic evil zombie statblock but add a swim speed of 20).
Their ships are not seaworthy and are only kept aloft by
Armor Class 14 (natural armor) their will. If a jolly roger is destroyed, its ship sinks beneath
Hit Points 102 (12d8 + 48) the waves in 2d4 minutes.
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

14 (+2) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Con +6, Wis +4

Damage Resistances fire
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Master of the Sea. The jolly roger never suffers ill

effects from nonmagical storms or waves. It has
advantage against magical storms or waves.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the jolly roger
to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a
success, the jolly roger drops to 1 hit point instead.
Wicked Chuckle. When a creature that can hear the
jolly roger's chuckling starts its turn within 30 feet
of the jolly roger, the jolly roger can force it to
make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw if the jolly
roger isn’t incapacitated and can speak. On a
failure, the creature falls prone, becoming
incapacitated and unable to stand up for the
duration. A creature with an Intelligence score of 4
or less isn’t affected.
At the end of each of its turns, and each time it
takes damage, the creature can make another
Wisdom saving throw. The target had advantage on
the saving throw if it’s triggered by damage. On a
success, this effect ends.

Actions
Cackling Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5ft., one creature. Hit: The target must make
a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, it
falls prone, becoming incapacitated and unable to
stand up for the duration. A creature with an
Intelligence score of 4 or less isn’t affected.
At the end of each of its turns, and each time it
takes damage, the creature can make another
Wisdom saving throw. The target had advantage on
the saving throw if it’s triggered by damage. On a
success, this effect ends.
While this effect is in place, the target loses 1d6
points of Constitution at the start of each of its
turns. These reductions last until cured with greater
restoration or similar magic.

Jolly Roger

61
 Karrnathi Dread
Marshal
Medium undead, any lawful
Armor Class 23 (plate, tower shield, Defense)
Hit Points 93 (11d8 + 44)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
Skills History +4, Investigation +4, Intimidation +5
Saving Throws Wisdom +4
Damage Resistance cold, necrotic; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, spoken in an cold tone
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Innate Spellcasting. Charisma is the dread marshal's
spellcasting ability (DC 13, +5 to hit). The dread
marshal can innately cast the following spells,
requiring no somatic or material components:
3/day: black sand, boneblade, Kelgore's grave mist
Auras. A dread marshal constantly projects one of
the auras described below. That aura affects all
allied undead (including the dread marshal itself)
within 60 feet. A dread marshal can project only
one such aura at a time, but can shift to a new aura
as a bonus action. Individual auras don't stack, but a
creature can benefit from different auras at once.
Harden Flesh: All allied undead within range gain
+1 to AC.
Negative Energy Emanation: Any being that
strikes an allied undead with a melee attack
suffers 1d6 points of necrotic damage.
Negative Energy Infusion: All allied undead
within range do an extra 1d6 points of necrotic
damage on melee attacks. Each time an allied
undead deals this negative energy damage, it
heals for half the necrotic damage done.
Rush: All allied undead increase their speed by
15 feet.
Spirit of Defiance: All allied undead within range
add 1d4 to all saving throws.
Actions
Multiattack. The Karrnathi Dread Marshal makes two
attacks. It can replace one or both attacks with
Commander's Order.
Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach
5ft, one target. Hit 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning
damage, and the target is pushed 5 feet away.
Commander's Order. One friendly undead within 60
feet can use its reaction to make a single attack.
62
Karrnathi Skeleton
Medium undead, any lawful
Armor Class 17 (breastplate)
Hit Points 16 (3d8 + 3)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 5 (-3)
Skills Perception +2, Stealth +7
Saving Throws Wisdom +2
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Damage Immunities cold, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, spoken in an airy whisper
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Cunning Action. The skeleton can take the Dash,
Disengage, or Hide action as a bonus action on
each of its turns.
Pack Tactics. The skeleton has advantage on an
attack roll against a creature if at least one of the
skeleton's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and
the ally isn't incapacitated.
Actions
Multiattack. The skeleton makes two attacks with its
scimitars.
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range
150/600 ft., one target. Hit 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing
damage.
Karrnathi Dread Marshal
Karrnathi dread marshals serve as captains and majors in
undead armies. They have powerful auras that mightily
strengthen their allies, and a tactical, cunning intelligence.
Karrnathi dread marshals retain their position on the good-
evil axis from life, but they shift to lawful.
Karrnathi Skeleton
Often employed for intelligence missions, karrnathi skeletons
are experts at infiltration and scouting.
Karrnathi skeletons retain their position on the good-evil
axis from life, but they shift to lawful.
 Karrnathi Zombie
Medium undead, any lawful

Armor Class 17 (half plate, mariner fighting style)

Hit Points 37 (1d4 + 5)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft., climb 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

16 (+3) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 5 (-3)

Skills Perception +2
Saving Throws Wisdom +2
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, spoken in a deep, scratchy,
and guttural voice
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to

0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a
success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.
Pack Tactics. The zombie has advantage on an
attack roll against a creature if at least one of the
zombie's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the
ally isn't incapacitated.

Actions
Halberd. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
10ft., one target. Hit 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage.
Heavy Crossbow. +3 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one
target. Hit 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage.

Karrnathi Zombie
Karrnathi zombies serve loyally even after death, fighting on
the front lines with supernatural resilience.
Karrnathi skeletons retain their position on the good-evil
axis from life, but they shift to lawful.

Variant Karrnathi Undead

The dread marshal above has the Defense fighting
style, the skeleton has the Archery fighting style,
and the zombie has the Mariner fighting style.
However, you could easily swap one of these
fighting style for another. A Karrnathi zombie with
tunnel fighter would be a fearsome foe.
If you cast create Karrnathi undead, you can swap
one fighting style for another with your DM's
approval.

63
 Knight Haunt
Medium undead, lawful good
Armor Class 21 (full plate, shield, Defense)
Hit Points 85 (10d8 + 40)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 14 (+2)
Skills History +6, Perception +4, Persuasion +5
Saves Con +7, Wis +4, Cha +5
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren't
made of adamantine
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common and one ancient
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Honorbound. The knight can't be magically
compelled to do anything that goes against its oath.
Magic Resistance. The knight haunt has advantage
on saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Rejuvenation. A destroyed knight haunt rises at the
next full moon. If its armor or weapons have been
taken from it, it can take control of them and cause
them to reform around itself.
Actions
Multiattack. The knight haunt makes two attacks.
Blinding Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to
hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing
damage plus 9 (2d8) radiant damage, and if the
target is a creature, it must succeed at a DC 13
Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the
start of the knight's next turn.
Starfire Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +4 to hit, range
120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d10) force damage plus
5 (1d10) radiant damage.
Horrifying Visage. Each non-undead creature within
60 ft. of the knight haunt that can see it must
succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be
frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, with disadvantage if the knight haunt is
within line of sight, ending the effect on itself on a
success. If a target’s saving throw is successful or
the effect ends for it, the target is immune to the
knight’s Horrifying Visage for the next 24 hours.
64
Kyuss Spawnling
Tiny undead (wormspawn), chaotic evil
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 9 (2d4 + 4)
Speed 10 ft., swim 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (-3) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 4 (-3) 12 (+1) 3 (-4)
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages —
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Remove Disease Vulnerability. If the Kyuss spawnling
is targeted by an effect that cures disease or
removes a curse, it dies, as do all of the worms
within it.
Actions
Create Spawn of Kyuss (1/day). The Kyuss spawnling
infests a humanoid corpse it touches with worms.
The corpse animates as a spawn of Kyuss in 10
minutes.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage plus 3
(1d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed
at a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be
poisoned until the end of the spawnling's next turn.
Knight Haunt
Sometimes the spirits of knights refuse to pass on to the
afterlife, and continue to fight for the order they belonged to
in life. All knight haunts are honorable, just, and continue to
possess the knowledge of the code they held to when they
were living.
Kyuss Spawnling
These morbid little undead monsters are one of many
variations of Kyuss’ spawn. They are created from modified
Kyuss worms applied to lizardfolk eggs. They are far weaker
than true Kyuss spawn, but can create those horrors if
brought into contact with humanoid corpses.
 Necrosis Carnex
Medium undead, unaligned
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 60 (8d8 + 24)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, prone, poisoned,
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages understands the language it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Necrotic Aura. All effects that do necrotic damage
within 30 feet of the carnex have their damage
rolled twice and the larger value used.
Death Throes. When the carnex dies, it explodes,
and each creature within 30 feet of it must make a
DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 16 (3d10)
necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much
damage on a successful one. Undead do not take
this damage—instead, they are healed by 3d10.
Actions
Multiattack. The carnex uses makes two necrotic
touches, two restoring touches, or one of each.
Necrotic Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 3) necrotic
damage.
Restoring Touch. The carnex touches an undead
creature within 5 feet. That creature regains 1d8 +
3 hit points.
Necrosis Carnex
Necrosis carnexes serve as field medics in undead armies,
healing their fellow troops. Unlike living medics, when killed
they massively heal their allies while brutally hurting their
foes.
Nerephtys
A rare form of wormlike earth elemental with crystalline
teeth primarily found in the Wormcrawl Fissue, these
creatures are sometimes hunted by adventurers for their
petrifying abilities. They have the consistency of flowstone,
except when they crystallize and turn to hard crystal. When in
this form, they are incredibly durable and almost
indestructible.
Nerephtyses are believed to originate from heavy
tampering by Kyuss with earth elementals, and their form
certainly evokes his uniquely dark imagination. They prefer to
feed on undead, similar to his avolakias.
Nerephtys
Large elemental (wormspawn), neutral
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 126 (12d10 + 60)
Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 8 (-1) 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) 11 (+0)
Damage Vulnerabilities thunder
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned, unconscious
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive
Perception 10
Languages Terran
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Crystallization. As a bonus action, the nerephtys
turns to colorful, durable crystal, petrifying itself
(bypassing its normal immunity). While petrified, it
is immune to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical attacks not made of adamantine.
Unlike normal petrification, it is still aware of its
surroundings, and it can end this condition
whenever it pleases (no action required). After
ending its petrification, it is restrained until the end
of its next turn.
Magic Resistance. The nerephtys has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Siege Monster. The nerephtys deals double damage
to objects and structures.
Actions
Multiattack. The nerephtys makes one crystallizing
bite attack and one constrict attack.
Crystallizing Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) piercing
damage, and if the target is a creature, it must make
a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. If the saving
throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly
petrified. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save
begins to turn to crystal and is restrained. The
restrained creature must repeat the saving throw at
the start of the nerephtys's next turn, becoming
petrified on a failure or ending the effect on a
success. The petrification lasts until the creature is
freed by the greater restoration spell or other
magic.
This petrification turns the target to colorful crystal.
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning
damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16).
Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained,
and the nerephtys can’t constrict another target.
65
 Nightcrawler Nightcrawler
Gargantuan undead, neutral evil Gargantuan undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 16 Armor Class 16

Hit Points 121(1d4 + 5) Hit Points 121(1d4 + 5)
Speed 11ft. Speed 11ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (-3) 5 (-2) 6 (-2) 9 (+0) 5 (-2) 7 (-1) 4 (-3) 5 (-2) 6 (-2) 9 (+0) 5 (-2) 7 (-1)

Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,
thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, frightened,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained
Senses passive Perception 18
Languages Pottymouth
Challenge 15 (3709 XP)
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,
thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, frightened,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained
Senses passive Perception 18
Languages Pottymouth
Challenge 15 (3709 XP)

Desecrating Aura. All undead within 20 feet of the Desecrating Aura. All undead within 20 feet of the
nightcrawler have advantage on all saving throws. nightcrawler have advantage on all saving throws.

Actions Actions
Dual Cobra Wristlock. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to Dual Cobra Wristlock. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to
hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 5 (1d6 + 2) hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 5 (1d6 + 2)

Nightshade, Nightcrawler Nightshade, Nightcrawler

Nightshades?
The nightwalker listed in Mordenkainen's Tome of
Foes is a type of nightshade. Nightshades are
powerful undead composed of equal parts
darkness and absolute evil. Their chilling
malevolence hangs heavily about them, along with
the smell of an open grave on a winter’s morning.
Nightwalkers gain the Descrating Aura trait other
nightshades have, but are otherwise unchanged.

66
 Odem
Small undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 35 (10d6)
Speed 0 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

1 (-5) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 16 (+3)

Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,

thunder, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical weapons that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Incorporeal Movement. The odem can move

through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Naturally Invisible. The odem is always naturally
invisible and stays so even inside an antimagic field.

Actions
Weaken Will. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: The target has disadvantage on
Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saves until the
end of the odem's next turn.
Possession (Recharge 6). One humanoid that the
odem can see within 5 ft. of it must succeed on a
DC 13 Charisma saving throw or be possessed by
the odem; the odem then disappears, and the
target loses control of its body. The odem now
controls the body but doesn’t deprive the target of
awareness. The odem can’t be targeted by any
attack, spell, or other effect, except ones that turn
undead, and it retains its alignment, Intelligence,
Wisdom, Charisma, and immunity to being
charmed and frightened. It otherwise uses the
possessed target’s statistics.
The possession lasts until the body drops to 0 hit
points, the odem ends it as a bonus action, or the
odem is turned or forced out by an effect like the
dispel evil and good spell. When the possession
ends, the odem reappears in an unoccupied space
within 5 ft. of the body. The target is immune to
this odem's Possession for 24 hours after
succeeding on the saving throw or after the
possession ends.

Odem
Odems are awful undead that possess the living and force
them to carry out evil acts as they watch helplessly.

67
 Overworm
Gargantuan aberration (wormspawn), chaotic evil
Armor Class 11 (natural armor)
Hit Points 350 (20d20+140)
Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
28 (+9) 8 (-1) 24 (+7) 2 (-4) 14 (+2) 8 (-1)
Saving Throws Constitution +12
Damage Resistances acid, cold; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren't
silvered
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, frightened,
poisoned
Senses blindsight 120 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
tremorsense 120 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages —
Challenge 15 (1,800 XP)
Call of the Wormgod. As a bonus action, the overworm
targets one creature within 120 feet of it. That creature
must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure,
it is frightened until the start of the overworm's next
turn, and stunned while frightened in this way.
Wormspawn creatures are immune this effect.
Holy Water Vulnerability. Holy water damages the
overworm and its worms as if they were undead.
Obey the Wormtouched. Although it is nearly mindless,
an overworm unerringly understands and follows
commands given by undead servants of Kyuss.
Worm Infested. Whenever a creature within 5 feet of
the overworm strikes it with a melee attack, it is
showered in worms. The target must succeed at a DC
20 Dexterity saving throw or 2d4 worms land upon it.
The worms are Tiny aberrations with AC 6, 1 hit point,
a 2 (-4) in every ability score, and a speed of 1 foot.
Overworm
Whether they are the source of his power or the expression of
his deranged will, the worms of Kyuss come in many sizes
and variety. From the worms of corruption no larger than a
finger to the enormous overworm, the one thing that binds
their kind is their malignant intent.
Overworms are never less than 80 feet in length, and
weigh at least 40,000 pounds.
68
While on the target’s skin, the worms can be killed by
normal means or scraped off using an action.
Otherwise, the worms burrow under the target’s skin at
the end of the target’s next turn, dealing l piercing
damage to it for each worm that burrows. At the end of
each of its turns thereafter, the target takes 7 (2d6)
necrotic damage per worm infesting it. A worm-
infested target dies if it drops to 0 hit points, then rises
10 minutes later as a sword of Kyuss if it is a Small,
Medium, or Large humanoid, or as a favored spawn of
Kyuss otherwise. If a worm-infested creature is targeted
by an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all
the worms infesting it wither away.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 35 (4d12 + 9) piercing damage. If the
target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 22). Until
this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the
overworm can’t bite another target.
Swallow. The overworm makes one bite attack against a
Large or smaller creature it is grappling. If the attack
hits, that creature takes the bite’s damage and is
swallowed, and the grapple ends. While swallowed, the
creature is blinded and restrained, it has total cover
against attacks and other effects outside the
overworm, and it takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the
start of each of the overworm’s turns.
If the overworm takes 30 damage or more on a single
turn from a creature inside it, the overworm must
succeed on a DC 22 Constitution saving throw at the
end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures,
which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the
overworm. If the overworm dies, a swallowed creature
is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the
corpse using 15 feet of movement, exiting prone.
 Plague Blight
Medium undead, any evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 75 (10d8+30)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Deception +7, Stealth +6
Saving Throws Constitution +6
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
that aren't silvered
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Gangrenous Stench. Any creature that starts its turn
within 10 feet of the plague blight must succeed
on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be
poisoned until the start of the creature's next turn.
On a successful saving throw, the creature is
immune to the stench of all plague blights for 1
hour.
Born of the Plague. Plague blights are immune to all
diseases, magical or mundane.
Actions
Multiattack. The plague blight makes two
gangrenous fist attacks.
Gangrenous Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3)
bludgeoning damage plus 17 (5d6) necrotic
damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed
on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be
infected with gangrenous touch. The diseased
target must make a new save at the start of each of
its turn. On a failure, its hit point maximum
decreases by 17 (5d6). If the disease reduces the
target's hit point maximum to 0, the target dies.
The disease lasts until removed by the lesser
restoration or remove curse spells or other magic.
Plague Blight
Plague blights are animated corpses of humanoids who died
from plague or rot. In undeath, they seek to putrefy all that is
pure. They are wily and may attempt to trick their victims into
allowing themselves get close enough to touch.
Quell
Quells long to commit deicide, but have nowhere near
enough power. They settle for killing the servants of gods.
Quell
Medium undead, lawful evil
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 38 (5d8 + 15)
Speed 0ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (-5) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,
thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical attacks that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Incorporeal Movement. The quell can move through
other creatures and objects as if they were difficult
terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its
turn inside an object.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the quell has
disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Concerted Intercession. If at least two quells are
within 10 feet, all creatures have disadvantage
against their Intercession.
Actions
Intercession (2/Short or Long Rest). As an action, a
quell attempts to snuff out divine magic around it.
Every divine caster within 30 feet must make a DC
13 Charisma saving throw. If a caster fails its saving
throw, it cannot cast divine spells or use Channel
Divinity, Dark Knowledge, or Wild Shape for 1
minute. If the quell attacks the creature, this effect
immediately ends. If the caster is 1st-level (or up to
2nd level for paladins and rangers), it cannot cast
divine spells or use Channel Divinity, Dark
Knowledge, or Wild Shape for 24 hours.
Withering Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit 10 (2d6 + 3) necrotic
damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13
Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum
is reduced by an amount equal to the damage
taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a
long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its
hit point maximum to 0.
Anathema Glyph. One creature within 120 feet of
the quell must make a DC 13 Constitution saving
throw. It takes 7 (2d6) psychic damage on a failure,
or half on a success. If it is a divine spellcaster, it
must also make a DC 13 Intelligence saving throw
be stunned until the start of the quell's next turn.
69
 Quell, Greater
Medium undead, lawful evil
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 38 (5d8 + 15)
Speed 0ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (-5) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 22 (+6)
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
attacks that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Incorporeal Movement. The quell can move through
other creatures and objects as if they were difficult
terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its
turn inside an object.
Concerted Intercession. If at least two quells are within
10 feet, all creatures have disadvantage against their
Intercession.
Divine Hatred. The quell can't be affected or detected
by divine spells unless it wishes to be. It has advantage
on saving throws against all other spells and magical
effects.
Actions
Withering Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit 71 (10d12 + 6) necrotic
damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18
Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is
reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This
reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The
target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum
to 0.
Quell, Greater
Much like their lesser kin, greater quells hate deities.
70
Anathema Glyph. One creature within 120 feet of the
quell must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. It
takes 65 (10d12) psychic damage on a failure, or half
on a success. If it is a divine spellcaster, it must also
make a DC 18 Intelligence saving throw be stunned
until the start of the quell's next turn.
Intercession (Recharge 4, 5, or 6). As an action, a quell
attempts to snuff out divine magic around it. Every
divine caster within 30 feet must make a DC 18
Charisma saving throw. If a caster fails its saving throw,
it cannot cast divine spells or use Channel Divinity,
Dark Knowledge, or Wild Shape for 24 hours. If the
quell attacks the creature, this effect immediately ends.
Blasphemy (Recharge 6). The quell utters a word of
absolute hate. Each creature of its choice within 300
feet that can hear it must make a DC 18 Wisdom
saving throw. On a failure, it is frightened of the quell.
While frightened by this effect, a creature must take
the Dash action and move away from the quell by the
safest available route on each of its turns, unless there
is nowhere to move. If the creature ends its turn in a
location where it doesn’t have line of sight to the quell,
the creature can make a Wisdom saving throw. On a
successful save, the spell ends for that creature.
A divine spellcaster that fails the save is paralyzed
while it is frightened in this way.
Additionally, the quell can dispel (as dispel magic) all
divine magic within 300 feet of it. Its modifier on the
dispel check is +10.
Finally, the awesome power of the blasphemy
interferes with divine magic. Until the start of the
quell's next turn, anyone trying to cast a divine spell
within 300 feet of the quell must succeed at a DC 18
spellcasting ability check. On a failure, the spell fails,
but the slot or use is expended all the same.

Raam
Huge undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 207 (18d12 + 90)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS
29 (+9) 14 (+2) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 18 (+4)
Saving Throws Str +13, Dex +6, Con +9, Wis +8
Skills Athletics +17, Stealth +6, History +11,
Perception +12, Performance +8
Damage Immunities cold, lightning, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 22
Languages Giant
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Stone Camouflage. The giant has advantage on
Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in rocky
terrain.
The raam are all that remains of an ancient race of giants
whose culture died out from attrition and an inability to
sustain a viable birth rate. As their culture fell into
melancholy and malaise, the remaining giants constructed
monolithic granite cairns for themselves in deep canyons and
beneath domelike hills, and in the end the last survivors
descended into their self-made tombs and interred
themselves alive. The despair and anger they felt at their fate
cursed them to live on after death as undead relics, forever
CHA preserving their lost society.
Shambling Bones
Shambling Bones are variant shambling mounds
created out of mounds of bones.
The shambling mounds are undead.
Instead of immunity to lightning damage, they
have immunity to necrotic and poison damage.
They are also immune to the poisoned
condition.
They have Necrotic Absorption instead of
Lightning Absorption. The new trait is
functionally identical to the old one, except that
it affects necrotic damage.

Actions
Multiattack. The giant can use its Frightful Presence.
It then flings, makes two slam attacks, or makes
one rock attack.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10
ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d6 + 9) slashing damage.
Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, range
60/240 ft., one target. Hit: 31 (4d10 + 9)
bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it
must succeed on a DC 21 Strength saving throw or
be knocked prone.
Fling. The giant tries to throw a Small or Medium
creature within 10 feet of it. The target must
succeed on a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw or be
hurled up to 60 feet horizontally in a direction of
the giant’s choice and land prone, taking 1d6
bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it was
thrown.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the giant’s
choice that is within 120 feet of the giant and
aware of it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom
saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of
each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a
success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful
or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to
the giant’s Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Reactions
Rock Catching. If a rock or similar object is hurled at
the giant, the giant can, with a successful DC 10
Dexterity saving throw, catch the missile and take
no bludgeoning damage from it.

Raam

71
 Invisibility. The ragewind can surpress its whirlwind
Ragewind to become invisible (no action required) until it
Large undead, chaotic evil chooses to resume its whirlwind.
Reactive. The ragewind can take one reaction on
Armor Class 15 every turn in combat.
Hit Points 33 (5d6 + 15)
Speed 0 ft., fly 120 ft. (hover) Actions
Multiattack. The ragewind makes six attacks: two
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA each with its greatswords, greataxes, and glaives.
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit,
16 (+3) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing
damage.
Damage Resistances cold, necrotic; bludgeoning, Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d12 + 5) slashing
Damage Immunities poison damage.
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, Glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d12 + 5) slashing
restrained, unconscious damage.
Senses blindsight 120 ft., darkvision 120 ft.,
passive Perception 11
Languages —
Reactions
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) Parry. The ragewind adds 5 to its AC against one
melee attack that would hit it.
Whirlwind. The ragewind can enter a hostile
creature’s space and stop there. The first time it
enters a creature’s space on a turn, that creature
takes 22 (4d10) slashing damage A creature must
make a Dexterity saving throw the first time on a
turn that it enters the whirlwind or that the
whirlwind enters its space, including when the
whirlwind first appears. A creature takes 10d6
bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one. In addition, a
Large or smaller creature that fails the save must
succeed on a Strength saving throw or become
restrained in the whirlwind until the spell ends.
When a creature starts its turn restrained by the
whirlwind, the creature is pulled 5 feet higher
inside it, unless the creature is at the top. A
restrained creature moves with the whirlwind and
falls when the spell ends, unless the creature has
some means to stay aloft.

A restrained creature can use an action to make a Strength

or Dexterity check against your spell save DC. If successful,
the creature is no longer restrained by the whirlwind and is
hurled 3d6 × 10 feet away from it in a random direction.

72
 Raiment
Small undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 33 (5d6 + 15)
Speed 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

16 (+3) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 7 (-2) 13 (+1) 7 (-2)

Skills Stealth +7
Damage Vulnerabilities fire
Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened,
exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned,
unconscious
Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
passive Perception 11
Languages —
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

False Appearance. While the raiment remains

motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal set
of clothing.
Turn Immunity. The raiment is immune to effects
that turn undead.

Actions
Strangle. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning
damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 13).
Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and
can't breathe, the raiment can automatically hit the
target with its strangle, and the raiment can't make
strangle attacks against other targets.

Raiment
The raiment is a bit of clothing that is animated by the
tortured spirit of its original owner. Sometimes someone who
suffers a cruel death was so weak they cannot even manifest
as a ghost. Instead, their spirit inhabits the clothes they were
murdered in, and the seek to share their death with others.

73
 Remnant
Medium undead, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 132(1d4 + 5)
Speed 5 ft., swim 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
1 (-5) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained, unconscious
Senses darkvision 60 ft., blindsight 60 ft., passive
Perception 11
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 2 (6723 XP)
Incorporeal Movement. The remnant can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Actions
Chill Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 7 (1d10 + 2) necrotic damage,
and the target's speed drops to 0 until the start of
the remnant's next turn. For the same duration, it
automatically fails Dexterity saving throws.
Etherealness. The remnant enters the Ethereal Plane
from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible
on the Material Plane while it is in the Border
Ethereal, and vice versa, yet it can’t affect or be
affected by anything on the other plane.
Remnant
Remnants are the spirits of humanoids whose bodies were
thrown into a watery, unconsecrated grave after they had
been worked to death. They are not hostile to the living, and
only seek to find rest. A remnant can be laid to rest by finding
its physical remains and burying them in consecrated or
hallowed ground.
74
Salt Mummy
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 111 (13d8 + 52)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 8 (-1) 19 (+4) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 15 (+2)
Skills Stealth +5, Perception +3
Saving Throws Con +7, Wis +3
Damage Immunities dessication, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Regeneration. The salt mummy regains 10 hit points
at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Water Weakness. All water deals damage to a salt
mummy as if it were holy water.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the salt
mummy to 0 hit points, it must make a
Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5+the
damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from
a critical hit. On a success, the zombie drops to 1
hit point instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The salt mummy makes two slam
attacks.
Dessicating Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit 11 (2d6 + 4)
bludgeoning damage plus 18 (4d8) dessication
damage.
Salt Mummy
Unlike normal mummies, salt mummies are not created by
priests. They arise of their own accord when the bodies of
wicked people are left to dehydrate away in salt mines.
 Sheet Phantom Dolphin Skeleton
Medium undead, chaotic evil Medium undead, unaligned

Armor Class 12 Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 30 (4d8 + 12) Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover) Speed 0 ft., swim 60 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 13 (+1) 2 (-4) 12 (+1) 3 (-4)

Damage Vulnerabilities fire Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning

Damage Immunities bludgeoning, poison Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned Senses darkvision 60 ft., blindsight 60 ft., passive
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Perception 10
Languages the languages it knew in life Languages —
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)

Damage Transfer. While it is grappling a creature, Charge. If the dolphin moves at least 30 feet
the sheet phantom takes only half the damage dealt straight toward a target and then hits it with a slam
to it, and the creature grappled by the rug takes the attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 3
other half. (1d6) bludgeoning damage.

False Appearance. While the sheet phantom remains Actions

prone and motionless, it is indistinguishable from a
normal bedsheet. Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the wight has
disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Dolphin Skeletons
Actions
Dolphin skeletons make superb aquatic steeds, as they don't
Smother. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one Medium or smaller creature. Hit: The
need to breathe.
creature is grappled (escape DC 13). Until this
grapple ends, the target is restrained, blinded, and
at risk of suffocating, and the sheet phantom can’t
smother another target. In addition, at the start of
each of the target’s turns, the target takes 10 (2d6
+ 3) bludgeoning damage.

Sheet Phantom
The sheet phantom is a strange undead that results when an
evil individual dies in bed. Its soul animates the bedsheets it
died in, and tries to strangle others.

75
 Skeleton Warrior
Medium undead, neutral or neutral evil
Armor Class 22 (dwarven mountain plate)
Hit Points 257 (27d8 + 135)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
29 (+9) 18 (+4) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 16 (+3)
Saving Throws Strength +16, Dexterity +11,
Constitution +12, Intelligence +10, Wisdom +10,
Charisma +10
Skills Athletics +16, History +10, Investigation +10,
Perception +10
Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison; piercing,
bludgeoning, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned, stunned
Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 20
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 23 (50,000 XP)
Equipment. The skeleton warrior carries a vorpal
greatsword and wears dwarven mountain plate, a cape
of the mountebank, and a belt of storm giant strength.
Limited Magic Immunity. The skeleton warrior can't be
affected by spells of 6th level or lower unless it wishes
to be. It has advantage on saving throws against all
other spells and magical effects.
Turn Immunity. The skeleton warrior is immune to
effects that turn undead.
Rejuvenation. As long as the skeleton's soul circlet
exists, a destroyed skeleton warrior gains a new body in
1d10 days, regaining all its hit points and becoming
active again. This body appears in a random location.
Action Surge (Recharges on a Short or Long Rest). The
skeleton warrior takes a second action on its turn.
Great Weapon Supremacy. The skeleton warrior rerolls
all 1s and 2s on its greatsword's damage dice until they
are 3 or higher. It can choose to take a -5 penalty to hit
when it attacks with the greatsword, and if it hits, it
deals an extra 10 damage. It can increase the to-hit
penalty to -10, and increase the bonus damage to +20.
It can even increase the penalty to -15 and the bonus
to +30.
Legendary Resistance (3/day). If the skeleton warrior
fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Soul Leech. After reducing a hostile creature to 0 hit
points, the skeleton warrior regains 6d20 hit points.
Wizard Slayer. When the skeleton damages a creature
that is concentrating on a spell, that creature has
disadvantage on the saving throw it makes to maintain
its concentration.
Fighting Spirit (3/day). As a bonus action, the skeleton
warrior can give itself advantage on weapon attack rolls
until the end of the current turn.
Reactive. The skeleton warrior can take one reaction on
every turn in combat.
76
Track Circlet. A skeleton warrior can track and find its
circlet unerringly. It can also find the last person who
possessed the circlet.
Actions
Multiattack. The skeleton warrior makes four attacks.
Vorpal Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit 21 (2d6 + 12) slashing
damage. This damage ignores resistance. If the
skeleton warrior rolls a 20 on the attack roll, it cuts off
one of the creature's heads. The creature dies if it can't
survive without the lost head. A creature is immune to
this effect if it is immune to slashing damage, doesn't
have or need a head, has legendary actions, or the DM
decides that the creature is too big for its head to be
cut off with this weapon. Such a creature instead takes
an extra 6d8 slashing damage from the hit.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, range
150/600 ft., one target. Hit 9 (1d8 + 4) piercing
damage.
Teleport (1/day). The skeleton warrior casts dimension
door, requiring no components. When it disappears, it
leaves behind a cloud of smoke, and it appears in a
similar cloud of smoke at its destination. The smoke
lightly obscures the space it left and the space it
appears in, and it dissipates at the end of the skeleton
warrior's next turn.
Reactions
Stand Firm. If an effect moves the skeleton against its
will along the ground, it can use its reaction to reduce
the distance it is moved by up to 10 feet.
Defy Wizardry. When a creature within 5 feet of the
skeleton casts a spell, it can make a melee weapon
attack against that creature.
Parry. The skeleton adds 7 to its AC against one melee
attack that would hit it. To do so, the skeleton must
see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
Strength before Death (1/day). If the skeleton warrior
takes damage that reduces it to 0 hit points and
doesn't kill it outright, it can delay falling unconscious
and immediately take an extra turn. While it has 0 hit
points during that extra turn, taking damage causes
death saving throw failures as normal, and three death
saving throw failures can still kill it. When the extra turn
ends, it falls unconscious if it still has 0 hit points.
Legendary Actions
The skeleton warrior can take 3 legendary actions,
choosing from the options below. Only one legendary
action option can be used at a time and only at the end
of another creature's turn. The skeleton warrior regains
spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Attack. The skeleton warrior makes 1 attack.
Deaden Magic (Cost 2 Actions.) The skeleton warrior
demands that its foes face it in fair combat without
mystic trickery. Whenever a spell is cast within 60 feet
of the skeleton, the caster must succeed on a DC 20
Constitution saving throw, losing the spell on a failure.
Skeleton Warrior
A mighty wizard may become a lich, or a mighty paladin a
death knight. But what of the fighter?
The skeleton warrior is the answer to that question. The
very epitome of martial prowess, few indeed are those who
can hope to stand against one in melee. However, unlike a
lich, they possess no magic of their own, and so they hoard
magic items to both bolster their ferocity in combat (such as
a vorpal sword and belt of giant strength) and provide
solutions to their weaknesses (the cape of the mountebank
providing a defense against the forcecage spell, for example).
Skeleton warriors are bound forever to unlife as long as
their soul circlet endures. But unlike a lich, a skeleton
warrior did not choose immortality. It was forced upon him or
her by a mighty power, binding its soul to a magic circlet for
all time.
Skeleton warriors long to free themselves from their empty
existence, and so quest tirelessly for their soul circlets. They
track the circlet's location with perfect precision.

Skin Kite
Small undead, unaligned

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)

Hit Points 22 (4d6 + 8)
Speed 10 ft., fly 40 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

10 (+0) 19 (+4) 14 (+2) 4 (-3) 12 (+1) 6 (-2)

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages —
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Actions
Steal Skin. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) piercing damage,
and the skin kite attaches to the target. While
attached, the skin kite doesn’t attack. Instead, at the
start of each of the skin kite’s turns, the target
loses 9 (2d4 + 4) hit points due to skin loss.
The skin kite can detach itself by spending 5 feet of
its movement. It does so after it drains 15 hit
points of skin from the target or the target dies.
Split. After draining 15 hit points of skin, the skin
kite splits in half, becoming two skin kites at full hit
points.

Skin Kite
Skin kites are undead creatures made up of the stolen skin of
past victims. They feed on the skin of living beings,
replenishing their own constantly rotting skin, as well as
using new skin as spawning material for new skin kites.

77
 Skull Lord
Medium undead, lawful evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 113 (15d8 + 45)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 17 (+3)
Saving Throws Constitution +6, Intelligence +5,
Wisdom +5,
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities cold, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 20
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Multiple Skulls. The skull lord has three skulls. While it
has more than one skull, the skull lord has advantage
on saving throws against being blinded, deafened,
stunned, and knocked unconscious, and against effects
that turn or rebuke undead.
When a skull lord is reduced to two-thirds of its full
normal hit points, its creator skull shatters. The skull
lord loses the ability to create undead, though extant
undead remain under its control. When a skull lord is
reduced to one-third of its full normal hit points, its
spitting skull shatters, and it loses its bone shard
ability. If a skull lord is healed so that its hit points once
again exceed one-third or two-thirds of its full normal
total, the appropriate skull reappears. The skull lord
then regains the use of the ability granted by the skull.
Triple Skulls. Each round, as a bonus action, the skull
lord can do one of the following, assuming it still has
the appropriate skull:
Skull Lord
The skull lords are agents of the dead necromancer Vrakmul.
They are grouped with several of their main minions here for
convenience.
Note
An alternate (and far more powerful) skull lord is
presented in Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes. This
one is ideal as a boss for a 5th-level party.
78
Bone Beckon. A skull lord can use its beckoning skull
to bring forth fragments of bone from the body of an
opponent within 30 feet that has a skeletal system.
That creature must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution
saving throw or take 7 (3d4) piercing damage as
shards of bone are torn from its body.
As part of the same bonus action, the skull lord can
then cause the shards to be absorbed by a corporeal
undead of its choice within 30 feet (including itself).
The chosen undead heals damage equal to the amount
done to the original target. Alternatively, a skull lord
can hold the shards in the mouse of its spitting skull.
Bone Shard. If a skull lord has fragments of bone in its
mouth, it can spit the bones at one creature within 60
feet. It makes a +7 ranged weapon attack. On a hit, the
bones deal 7 (3d4) piercing damage.
If it uses the bone shard ability against the creature it
used bone beckon on, the bone shard automatically
hits.
Create Servitor. A skull lord’s creator skull can create a
bonespur, a serpentir, or a skeletal creature from
nearby bones and bone shards. Undead created by this
ability are automatically under the skull lord’s control.
A skull lord can have two serpentirs, four bonespurs,
and ten skeletons under its control. It can also have
one skeletal creature of CR 4 or lower under its control.
Typically, half of its minions are off on missions for
some nefarious purpose, leaving half to guard it.
Create Spectral Rider. Once per month, a skull lord can
engage in a 12-hour ritual under the dark moon to
create a spectral rider from the remains of a mounted
warrior. The spectral rider is loyal to the skull lord, but
it is not controlled. Through use of this ability, a skull
lord can have one spectral rider servant at a time,
creating a new one only after an existing servant is
destroyed.
Actions
Multiattack. The skull lord makes two skull staff attacks.
Skull Staff. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit 9 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 9
(2d8) cold damage.
 Bonespur
Large undead, unaligned
Armor Class 9
Hit Points 43 (5d10 + 15)
Speed 10 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 8 (-1) 16 (+3) 3 (-4) 6 (-2) 5 (-3)
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., blindsight 60 ft., passive
Perception 8
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Charging Form (1/day). As a bonus action, the
bonespur reconfigures into a rhinolike form. While
in this form, its movement speed increases to 40
ft. If the bonespur moves at least 20 ft. straight
toward a target and then hits it with a bone scythe
attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 6
(1d12) slashing damage. However, the reach of the
bone scythe decreases to 5 ft. while the bonespur
is in this form.
At the end of each of its turns in this form, it must
roll a d6. On a roll of 1, it reverts to its normal form.
It can also leave the form early if it desires (no
action needed).
Boneshard Blast. When in Charging Form and
immediately after making a bone scythe attack, the
bonespur can explode into a cloud of bones. All
creatures within 10 feet of it must make a DC 14
Dexterity saving throw or take 6 (1d12) piercing
damage. The bonespur then becomes inert for the
24 hours and appears destroyed. Sprinkling holy
water upon its remains prevents it from reforming.
Otherwise, the bonespur reforms after 24 hours.
Stable. The bonespur has advantage on Strength and
Dexterity saving throws made against effects that
would knock it prone.
Actions
Bone Scythe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
10 ft., one target. Hit 9 (1d12 + 3) slashing
damage. If the bonespur scores a critical hit, it rolls
damage dice three times, instead of twice.
Bonespur
Bonespurs are little more than animals designed to kill.
Serpentir
Large undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 68 (8d10 + 24)
Speed 50 ft., climb 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 9 (-1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1)
Skills Perception +5, Survival +7
Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Two Heads. The serpentir has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks and on saving throws against
being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened,
stunned, and knocked unconscious.
Dual Actions. The serpentir can take two actions,
two bonus actions, and two reactions.
Sense Emotions. The serpentir is considered to have
blindsight out to a range of 60 ft., when it comes to
detecting creatures capable of feeling emotion.
This blindsight is not useful against constructs,
some mindless creatures, and objects.
Slither Through. The serpentir has advantage on
Strength and Dexterity saving throws made against
effects that would knock it prone, and it ignores
nonmagical difficult terrain.
Churning Ribs. When the serpentir grapples a
Medium or smaller creature, it can draw the
creature into its churning ribs. The churning ribs
can only hold one creature at a time. The serpentir's
speed is not slowed when the only creature it is
grappling is in its ribs. Any creature that ends its
turn in the churning ribs takes 5 (2d4) slashing
damage.
Actions
Multiattack. The serpentir makes two claw attacks. If
it hits with both claw attacks, it grapples the target
(escape DC 13) and if the target is Medium or
smaller it can immediately place the creature in its
Churning Ribs.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit 5 (1d4 + 3) slashing damage.
Serpentir
The horrid serpentirs delight in the thrill of the hunt, and
stalk humanoids much like they stalk elk.
79
 Spectral Rider
Spectral Rider The spectral rider exists in a strange state where it gains the
Medium undead, lawful evil benefits of incorporeality, but can still wear equipment, wield
blades, and wear armor.
Armor Class 20 (full plate, shield)
Hit Points 113 (15d8 + 45)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

17 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)

Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,

thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified,
poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Incorporeal Movement. The spectral rider can move

through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Aura of Supreme Will. All undead neutral or friendly
to the spectral rider add 1d6 to all their saves while
within 30 feet of it. This also causes the holy
symbols of any hostile creature within the radius to
explode into acid, forcing all creatures within 5 feet
of the holy symbol to make a DC 14 Dexterity
saving throw. Creatures take 7 (2d6) acid damage
on a failure, or half on a success.
Innate Spellcasting. The spectral rider can innately
cast the following spells, requiring no material
components:
At will: feign life (self only), find skeletal steed,
Kelgore's grave mist, rally of the damned

Actions
Multiattack. The spectral rider makes three attacks.
Spectral Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to
hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit 5 (1d8 + 3) force
damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.
Draining Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +5 to hit, range
120 ft., one target. Hit 8 (1d10 + 3) necrotic
damage.
Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) necrotic
damage. The target must succeed on a DC 14
Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum
is reduced by an amount equal to the damage
taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a
long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its
hit point maximum to 0.

80
 Skulking Cyst
Small undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 33 (6d6 + 12)
Speed 30 ft. climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +8
Damage Immunities poison
Damage Resistances: fire, necrotic
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
poisoned, prone
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive
Perception 12
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Innate Spellcasting. Charisma is the skulking cyst's
spellcasting ability (DC 13). The cyst can innately
cast the following spells, requiring no material
components:
3/day: darkness
1/day: necrotic cyst, necrotic bloat
Actions
Blood Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach
5 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing
damage plus 5 (2d4) necrotic damage, and the cyst
attaches to the target. While attached, the cyst
doesn't attack. Instead, at the start of each of the
cyst's turns, the target loses 11 (3d4 + 4) Hit
Points due to blood loss. The cyst can detach itself
by spending 5 feet of its movement. A creature,
including the target, can use its action to detach
the cyst.
If a creature dies due to Blood Drain while carrying
a necrotic cyst, that creature rises as a skulking cyst
in 24 hours unless its body is destroyed.
Skulking Cyst
A skulking cyst is the result of someone killed by a cyst spell,
or more rarely while under a cyst spell. It exists to spread its
own necrotic nature.
Slaymate
Small undead, any alignment
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 10 (3d6)
Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (-1) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 15 (+2)
Skills Stealth +3
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Pale Aura. All necromancy spells cast within 10 feet
of a slaymate are cast as if a slot one level higher
were used.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the slaymate
has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) piercing damage and
the target must make a DC 14 Constitution saving
throw or contract pale wasting (see the sidebar).
Slaymate
The slaymate is an undead child who bolsters the power of
necromancers.
Pale Wasting. This grim disease sucks away a
victim's very lifeforce, eventually turning them to
dust. Symptoms include very pale skin, a nihilistic
worldview, and fatigue. At the end of each long
rest, a creature must make a DC 14 Constitution
saving throw. A failed save increases the creature's
exhaustion level by 1. Resting does not remove
this exhaustion. A successful save only means the
condition does not worsen. If a creature's
exhaustion reaches 6, it dies and its body crumbles
to fine dust as per disintegrate. After 3 successful
saving throws, which do not have to be
consecutive, the disease is cured completely.
81
 Sword of Kyuss
Mediun undead (wormspawn), lawful evil
Armor Class 19 (heavy plate)
Hit Points 190 (20d8 + 100)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 16 (+3)
Saves Int +6, Wis +5
Skills History +10, Insight +5, Intimidation +11,
Investigation +6, Perception +9, Religion +10
Damage Immunities cold, lightning, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 19
Languages Abyssal, Flan (or a similar ancient language
from your campaign)
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Action Surge (1/rest). The sword takes an extra action
on its turn.
Duel. As a bonus action, the sword of kyuss challenges
one creature within 60 feet of it to a duel. The creature
can choose to accept or reject the duel. If it rejects the
duel, it had disadvantage on attack rolls until the start
of the sword's next turn. Once accepted, when a
creature wins the duel, it gains advantage on all attack
rolls, ability checks, and saving throws for 1 minute. If
the sword's opponent or their allies break the terms of
the duel, it also gains this advantage for 1 minute.
Guardian. As a bonus action, the sword enters a stance
that lasts until the start of its next turn. While in its
defensive stance, it can make opportunity attacks
without using its reaction, and it can use its reaction to
make a melee attack against a creature that moves
more than 5ft while within its reach.
Additionally, whenever the sword hits a creature with
an opportunity attack, the target's speed drops to 0 for
the rest of the turn. Creatures within its reach provoke
opportunity attacks even if they take the Disengage
action.
Honorbound. The sword has a code of honor it is
psychologically incapable of breaking. If it breaks this
code, it suffers disadvantage on attack rolls, ability
checks, and saving throws for 1 day.
Magic Resistance. The sword has advantage on saving
throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons. The sword's weapon attacks are
magical.
Sword of Kyuss
The swords of Kyuss are unique among his minions in that
they are his only lawful evil creations, although they are as
enthusiastic about death, undeath, and decay as any of his
servants. Several knightly orders served Kyuss in life, each
with their own code of honor. All of them, however, had rules
for duels both within the order and towards non-members.
82
Pack Tactics. The sword has advantage on an attack roll
against a creature if at least one of the sword's allies is
within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't
incapacitated.
Actions
Multiattack. The sword makes three attacks.
Wormblade. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage plus 3
(1d6) vile acid damage. If the target dies with the vile
damage unhealed, it can't be brought back through any
means short of a wish.
Wormbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range
150ft./600ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 7) piercing
damage and if the target is a humanoid, a worm of
kyuss latches onto its skin. The worm is a Tiny
aberration with AC 6, 1 hit point, a 2 (-4) in every
ability score, and a speed of 1 foot. While on the
target’s skin, the worm can be killed by normal means
or scraped off using an action. Otherwise, the worm
burrows under the target’s skin at the end of the
target’s next turn, dealing 1 piercing damage to it. At
the end of each of its turns thereafter, the target takes
7 (2d6) necrotic damage per worm infesting it. A
worm-infested target dies if it drops to 0 hit points,
then rises 10 minutes later as a spawn of Kyuss. If a
worm-infested creature is targeted by an effect that
cures disease or removes a curse, all the worms
infesting it wither away.
Invocation of the Worm (Recharge 5-6). A sword of
Kyuss can unleash a blast of negative energy and
illusory, translucent green worms from a point within
300 feet of it. Each living non-wormspawn creature in
a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must
make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. The sphere
spreads around corners. A living non-wormspawn
creature takes 28 (8d6) necrotic damage on a failed
save, or half as much damage on a successful one. An
undead or wormspawn creature instead gains a like
number of temporary hit points that last until removed.
Wormspawn creatures gain maximum hit points.
Worm Healing. The sword of Kyuss consumes a
wormswarm within 5 feet of it. This heals the sword of
Kyuss of all damage and grants it the benefit of a
panacea spell. The wormswarm is completely
destroyed, but makes no move to defend itself from
this consumption.
Reactions
Parry. The sword adds 4 to its AC against one melee
attack that would hit it. To do so, the sword must see
the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
The basic terms of a duel are simple. Neither is to attack or
be attacked by anyone other than their opponent for the
duration of the duel, and neither is to move more than 60 feet
away from the other. If the sword's opponents break these
rules, it is filled with righteous and deadly wrath.
 Tomb Mote
Tiny undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 32 (9d4 + 9)
Speed 20ft., swim 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
7 (-2) 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
Skills Stealth +7
Damage Immunities necrotic, poisoned
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Abyssal
Challenge 1 (300 XP)
Supernatural Speed. The tomb mote can take two
actions per round instead of one.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the tomb
mote has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Necrotic Absorption. Whenever the tomb mote is
subjected to necrotic damage, it takes no damage
and instead regains a number of hit points equal to
the necrotic damage dealt.
Pack Tactics. The tomb mote has advantage on an
attack roll against a creature if at least one of the
tomb mote's allies is within 5 feet of the creature
and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage and
the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution
saving throw or suffer corpse bloat.
Tomb Mote
Tomb motes are "incidental" undead--undead created by
accident when more powerful creatures are created.
Corpse Bloat. This disgusting disease causes a
creature's body to puff up, turn green, and makes
movement painful. At the end of each long rest, an
afflicted creature must succeed on a DC 11
Constitution save or its Dexterity score is reduced
by 1d4. A successful save restores 1d4 Dexterity.
The disease is cured when all Dexterity returns. A
creature with its Dexterity reduced to 0 is
paralyzed until it regains at least 1 point of
Dexterity.
Tomb Spider
Tomb spiders are arachnoid creatures suffused with negative
energy. Their poison reverses healing spells and effects that
target the poisoned creature.
Tomb Spider
Large monstrosity, neutral evil
Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 171 (18d10 + 72)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 4 (-3) 16 (+3) 16 (+3)
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +10
Damage Immunities necrotic
Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive
Perception 16
Languages —
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Necrotic Absorption. Whenever the spider is
subjected to necrotic damage, it takes no damage
and instead regains a number of hit points equal to
the necrotic damage dealt.
Spider Climb. The spider can climb difficult
surfaces, including upside down on ceilings,
without needing to make an ability check.
Web Sense. While in contact with a web, the spider
knows the exact location of any other creature in
contact with the same web.
Web Walker. The spider ignores movement
restrictions caused by webbing.
Actions
Multiattack. The spider makes two bite attacks, or
one bite attack and one web attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage. If
the target is a creature, it must make a DC 15
Constitution saving throw. On a failure, it is
poisoned for the next minute. While poisoned in
this way, it is considered to be undead for the
purposes of all healing abilities, and any healing
that does not work on undead instead deals
equivalent radiant damage. For example, a 6th-level
heal would do 70 radiant damage.
Web (Recharge 5-6). Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to
hit, range 30/60 ft., one Large or smaller creature.
Hit: The creature is restrained by webbing. As an
action, the restrained creature can make a DC 15
Strength check, escaping from the webbing on a
success. The effect ends if the webbing is
destroyed. The webbing has AC 10, 10 hit points,
vulnerability to fire damage, and immunity to
bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage.
83
 If the tribe doesn't have metallurgy, plate is made of iron-
hard bark, dragon bones, or some other suitable material.
Totem Chieftan
Medium undead, lawful neutral

Armor Class 19 (heavy plate)

Hit Points 124 (13d8 + 65)
Speed 30ft., fly 60 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

20 (+5) 12 (+1) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 16 (+3)

Skills History +9, Insight +10, Persuasion +9

Damage Resistances necrotic, radiant; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
that haven't been bathed in the ashes of a sacred
plant
Damage Immunities poisoned
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

Rejuvenation. If it dies, the chieftan returns to life at

the next sunset and regains all its hit points as long
as at least one member of its tribe remains alive. If
every member of its tribe is killed, it no longer
rejuvenates, but it and all allied undead within 60
feet of it gain advantage on all ability checks, attack
rolls, and saving throws as their hearts fill with rage.
Totem Empowerment. The chieftan and any allied
totem zombies within 60 ft. of it have advantage
on saving throws against being charmed or
frightened, and against effects that turn undead.
Regeneration. The chieftan regains 10 hit points at
the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Magic Weapons. The chieftan’s weapon attacks are
magical.

Actions
Multiattack. The chieftan makes two attacks.
Maul. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC
16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Miss: The target takes 5 bludgeoning damage.
Ancestor's Fury. Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit,
range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d10) radiant
damage.
Create Totem Zombie. The chieftan targets an
appropriately prepared humanoid of its tribe within
10 feet of it. The target rises as a totem zombie.
The zombie is not under the chieftan’s control but
is deeply loyal to it.

Totem Chieftan
Totem chieftans are legendary leaders from a tribe's ancient
history who lead their totem zombies in battle, and counsel
the living in peace.

84
 Ulgurstasta
Gargantuan undead (wormspawn), chaotic evil
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 247 (15d20 + 90)
Speed 40 ft., burrow 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
26 (+8) 15 (+2) 23 (+6) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 19 (+4)
Skills Arcana +14, History +14, Intimidation +14,
Perception +13
Saving Throws Constitution +11, Wis +8
Damage Resistances necrotic
Damage Immunities acid, cold, poison; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
paralyzed, poisoned
Senses truesight 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive
Perception 23
Languages understands Common but can't speak
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)
Flailing Tendrils. The millions of pores on an
ulgurstasta’s body provide it with a deadly defense;
each pore contains a coiled, 40-foot-long, hair-thin
tendril. When the creature is angered, the tendrils
extend to their full range and whip about in a frenzy.
This storm of tendrils renders all creatures within 40
feet of the ulgurstasta of its choice immune to
nonmagical ranged weapons such as arrows.
Conversely, the storm of tendrils deals 6 (1d12) points
of slashing damage per round to any other creature
within 40 feet of the ulgurstasta.
Necromantic Acid. A creature killed by the ulgurstasta's
acid spray, or when inside the Ulgurstasta (see Bite)
immediately animates as an ooze skeleton under the
ulgurstasta's control, but those inside it lay dormant
until vomited back up (see Acid Spray).
Ulgurstasta
Massive undead maggots made by Kyuss's faithful, the
appearance of an ulgurstasta is a cataclysmic event. Kyuss's
worshippers see one's arrival as a divine portent, and all
saner beings see it as a catastrophe.
Magic Resistance. The ulgurstasta has advantage on
saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Tunneler. The ulgurstasta can burrow through solid rock
at half its burrow speed and leaves a 20-foot-diameter
tunnel in its wake.
Actions
Acid Spray (1/day). The ulgurstasta vomits up the
contents of its stomach in an acidic blast. Each
creature in a 60-foot cone must make a DC 18
Constitution saving throw, taking 63 (18d6) acid
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one. A creature reduced to 0 HP by this
effect dies and rises as an ooze skeleton under the
ulgurstasta's control. Additionally, 2d4 ooze skeletons
inside the ulgurstasta are hurled out and immediately
roll initiative. They are under its control.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10ft., one
target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) piercing damage. If the target
is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 21). Until this
grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the
ulgurstasta can’t bite another target.
Swallow. The ulgurstasta makes one bite attack against
a Huge or smaller target it is grappling. If the attack
hits, the target is also swallowed, and the grapple ends.
While swallowed, the target is blinded and restrained, it
has total cover against attacks and other effects
outside the ulgurstasta, and it takes 21 (6d6) acid
damage at the start of each of the ulgurstasta’s turns.
An ulgurstasta's gut can hold 2 Huge creatures, 8 Large
creatures, 32 Medium, or 128 Small creatures.
If the ulgurstasta takes 30 damage or more on a single
turn from a creature inside it, the ulgurstasta must
succeed on a DC 21 Constitution saving throw at the
end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures,
which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the
ulgurstasta. If the ulgurstasta dies, a swallowed creature
is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the
corpse by using 20 feet of movement, exiting prone.
85
 However, just as mortal archmages often have apprentices,
liches can create apprentice-liches called vassaliches. The
Vassalich only requirement to become a vassalich are at least 1 level in
Medium undead, any evil a spellcasting class, and the patronage of a lich. The lich
retains the vassalich's phylactery, and thus has total control
Armor Class 15 (mage armor) over it. When a vassalich gains access to 9th-level spells, it
Hit Points 60 (9d8 + 18) becomes a true lich.
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

8 (-1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 8 (-1) 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Int +7, Wis +2

Skills History +7, Arcana +7, Persuasion +6,
Investigation +7
Damage Resistances cold, lightning, necrotic;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses passive Perception 9, darkvision 60 ft.
Languages any five
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

Rejuvenation. If it has a phylactery, a destroyed

vassalich gains a new body in 1d10 days, regaining
all its hit points and becoming active again. The
new body appears within 5 feet of the phylactery.
Turn Resistance. The vassalich has advantage on
saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
Spellcasting. The vassalich is a 9th-level spellcaster.
Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC
15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The vassalich has
the following wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): toll the dead, minor illusion,
prestidigitation
1st-level (4 slots): mage armor, shield, apprentice's
teleport
2nd-level (3 slots): darkness, mirror image
3rd-level (3 slots): fireball, major image, blink,
counterspell
4th-level (3 slots): polymorph, fire shield
5th-level (1 slot): wall of force, dominate person

Actions
Slowing Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach
5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (2d6) cold damage. The
target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution
saving throw or be affected as if by a slow spell for
1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at
the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
itself on a success. Creatures immune to paralysis
are immune to this effect.

Vassalich
Generally speaking, only a spellcaster with access to 9th level
spells can become a lich.

86
 Vasuthant
Small undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points 22 (5d6 + 5)
Speed 0 ft., fly 30ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

10 (+0) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)

Damage Immunities acid, cold, necrotic, poison,

radiant
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, poisoned
Senses blindsight 120 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
passive Perception 11
Languages none, but see Undead Empathy
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Reality Distortion (3/day). The vasuthant rerolls one

die roll, or forces another creature it can see to
reroll one die roll.
Trap Light. The vasuthant generates a 60-foot aura
of darkness that absorbs both magical and
nonmagical light. Creatures with darkvision can see
in this as if it were dim light.
Dark Tendrils. The vasuthant can spontaneously
generate as many tendrils as it needs to maintain
grapples on as many foes as it wishes.
Undead Empathy. The vasuthant can understand
anything an undead being says, and can
communicate with undead telepathically when
within 120 feet.

Actions
Multiattack. The vasuthant makes 1d4 tendril
attacks and uses Enervating Crush. It can only make
one tendril attack against a single target.
Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage,
and the target is grappled (escape DC 13). While
the vasuthant has the target grappled, it has
advantage on these attacks.
Enervating Crush. Up to 4 creatures grappled by the
vasuthant must make a DC 12 Constitution saving
throws. On a failure, an affected creature takes 7
(2d6) necrotic damage and deals only half damage
with weapon attacks that use Strength. At the end
of its turns, it can make a Constitution save. On a
success, the effect ends.

Vasuthant
No one has ever seen a the creature that dies and becomes a
vasuthant, and the prevailing theory holds that they are
negative energy itself given unlife. If an elemental can die and
become undead, is it impossible that undeath could die and
become undead?

87
 Visage
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 93 (17d8+17)
Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 19 (+4)
Skills Acrobatics +12, Deception +12, Insight +9,
Investigation +6, Perception +5, Stealth +12
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison, radiant
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Abyssal
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
Assume Identity. A visage can take the form of
someone it has killed within the last round without
spending an action. A visage in an assumed identity
gains advantage on Deception checks made to pass as
the victim. It also gains proficiency in the skills,
languages and tools of the victim.
This effect lasts for 24 hours, though the visage can
dismiss it at will. While a visage is in the form of its
victim, that victim can’t be returned to life except by a
true resurrection spell (which also immediately ends
the effect on the visage). After 24 hours, or if the
identity is dismissed, the soul is damaged, and the
victim can be returned to life only by a wish spell
followed by a true resurrection, or by direct divine
intervention.
Visage
Visages enjoy infiltrating and bringing about destruction
through subterfuge.
88
Magic Weapons. The visage's weapon attacks are
magical.
Turn Resistance. The visage has advantage on saving
throws against any effect that turns undead.
Assassinate. The visage has advantage on attack rolls
against any creature that hasn't taken a turn in the
combat yet. In addition, any hit it scores against a
creature that is surprised is a critical hit.
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the visage deals an extra
14 (4d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon
attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the
target is within 5 feet of an ally of the visage that isn't
incapacitated and the visage doesn't have disadvantage
on the attack roll.
Create Spawn. A creature native to one of the Outer
Planes slain by the visage rises 24 hours later as a
visage under the killer's control, unless the creature is
restored to life. The visage can have no more than two
visages under its control at one time.
Innate Spellcasting. The visage's spellcasting ability is
Charisma (save DC 16). The visage can innately cast
the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: major image (only perceptible to one target)
1/day: dominate person, plane shift (self only)
Actions
Multiattack. The visage makes two claw attacks.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit 11 (2d6+4) slashing damage.
 Visage, Champion
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 149 (17d8+17)
Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 22 (+6)
Skills Acrobatics +15, Deception +16, Insight +10,
Investigation +7, Perception +6, Stealth +16
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and
slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, radiant
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned, restrained
Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages all
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
Assume Identity. A visage can take the form of
someone it has killed within the last round without
spending an action. A visage in an assumed identity
gains advantage on Deception checks made to pass as
the victim. It also gains proficiency in the skills and
tools of the victim.
This effect lasts for 24 hours, though the visage can
dismiss it at will. While a visage is in the form of its
victim, that victim can’t be returned to life except by a
true resurrection spell (which also immediately ends
the effect on the visage). After 24 hours, or if the
identity is dismissed, the soul is damaged, and the
victim can be returned to life only by a wish spell
followed by a true resurrection, or by direct divine
intervention.
Magic Weapons. The visage's weapon attacks are
magical.
Turn Resistance. The visage has advantage on saving
throws against any effect that turns undead.
Assassinate. The visage has advantage on attack rolls
against any creature that hasn't taken a turn in the
combat yet. In addition, any hit it scores against a
creature that is surprised is a critical hit.
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the visage deals an extra
24 (7d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon
attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the
target is within 5 feet of an ally of the visage that isn't
incapacitated and the visage doesn't have disadvantage
on the attack roll.
Visage, Champion
Champion visages are the kings and queens of their kind,
perfectly designed for infiltration.
Legendary Resistance (3/day). When the visage fails a
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Pointed Knowledge. The visage instantly knows facts
about creatures it speaks to, such as their age, where
they were born, and the important events of their lives.
Create Spawn. A creature native to one of the Outer
Planes slain by the visage rises 24 hours later as a
visage under the killer's control, unless the creature is
restored to life. The visage can have no more than four
visages under its control at one time.
Innate Spellcasting. The visage's spellcasting ability is
Charisma (save DC 19). The visage can innately cast
the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: major image (only perceptible to one target),
dominate person, phantasmal force, mislead
3/day: phantasmal killer, seeming, blink, mirror image,
prying eyes, arcane eye, locate creature
1/day: plane shift (self only), mirage arcane, dominate
monster
Actions
Multiattack. The visage makes two claw attacks. It can
replace one attack with an at-will innate spell.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit 11 (2d6+5) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6)
psychic damage.
Legendary Actions
The visage can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
the options below. Only one legendary action option
can be used at a time and only at the end of another
creature's turn. The visage regains spent legendary
actions at the start of its turn.
Lucidity Control. The visage innately casts major image,
but it is only perceptible to one target of the visage's
choice.
Mislead (costs 2 actions). The visage casts mislead and
can move up to half its speed without provoking
opportunity attacks.
Instant Assumption (costs 3 actions). The visage
chooses one creature within 60 feet. This target must
succeed on a DC 19 Charisma saving throw. On a
failure, it and the visage swap places, with the visage
turning into it as if by its Assume Identity trait. The
target is magically disguised as the visage for the next
24 hours, and fully believes itself to be such during the
duration. When this effect ends, the target fully
remembers any actions it committed. This effect can
be broken early by greater restoration.
89
 Vitreous Drinker
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 22 (Vecna's kiss, mage armor)
Hit Points 135 (18d8 + 54)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 17 (+3)
Saving Throws Con +7, Int +9, Wis +6
Skills Arcana +13, History +9, Investigation +9
Damage Immunities force, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages all
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Vecna's Kiss. The vitreous drinker adds its Intelligence
to its Armor Class (included). The vitreous drinker is
immune to all divination spells cast against it or cast to
learn information about it. Such divination fails to
reveal any information. The vitreous drinker
immediately learns the name, appearance, and location
of the caster who attempted the divination.
Innate Spellcasting. The vitreous drinker's spellcasting
ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 17). The vitreous
drinker can innately cast the following spells, requiring
no material components:
At will: arcane eye, blight, contact other plane, detect
magic, detect thoughts, identify, legend lore, mage
armor, scrying, vampiric touch
3/day: eyebite, probe thoughts
1/day: circle of death, dimension door, finger of death
Horrifying Gaze. When a creature that can see the
vitreous drinker's eyes starts its turn within 30 ft. of
the drinker, the drinker can force it to make a DC 15
Constitution saving throw if the drinker isn’t
incapacitated and can see the creature. On a failure, the
target is frightened until the start of its next turn, and
incapacitated while frightened in this way.
Vitreous Drinker
Vitreous drinkers are created from Vecna's most devoted
minions, and are sent forth to mastermind unguessable dark
conspiracies. Many of them are vecna-blooded.
90
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid
the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature
does so, it can’t see the drinker until the start of its
next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If the
creature looks at the drinker in the meantime, it must
immediately make the save.
Spectral Ravens. A vitreous drinker is accompanied at all
times by spectral ravens that serve the drinker
unconditionally. The drinker shares a powerful
symbiotic link with the spectral ravens. It is constantly
aware of what they see and hear and can direct them at
will (no action required). The ravens have the
Incorporeal Movement trait, and a vitreous drinker can
control them as long as they remain on the same plane
as the drinker. The ravens are not creatures, but rather
objects spawned by the drinker. Each raven has 5 hit
points and AC 15, a +9 Perception modifier, and
resistance to acid, cold, fire, lightning, thundering
damage, and to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
damage from nonmagical attacks. Otherwise, treat
them as unattended, Tiny objects. A vitreous drinker is
accompanied by up to twenty-four ravens, and if any
are destroyed, the creature can restore them at a rate
of one per day.
The ravens have a fly speed of 120 feet and can hover.
They cannot take independent action, nor can they do
anything to physically affect the world around them.
They exist solely to observe.
Actions
Tongue Lash. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach
10ft., one creature. Hit 20 (3d10 + 4) necrotic
damage, and the target must make a DC 15
Constitution save. On a failure, its eyes are sucked out
of their sockets, reappearing on the drinker. The
drinker can see out of the target's eyes with its normal
senses as if it were there. An eyeless target is blinded
until its eyes are restored through a regeneration spell
or similar magic.
The drinker can choose to do no damage if it desires
(to leave a creature alive as an unwitting spy, for
instance).
 Slaughter Wight
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 104 (16d8+32)
Speed 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
19 (+4) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +3, Stealth +9
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren't
silvered
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Weakness Seeker. The slaughter wight scores critical
hits on rolls of 17-20. Additionally, when it scores a
critical hit, the target becomes frightened of the
slaughter wight for 1 minute. All its allies within 30
feet must make a DC 13 Wisdom save or become
frightened of the slaughter wight for 1 minute. A
frightened ally can repeat the saving throw at the end
of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. A
target that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to
the frightening effect of all slaughter wights for the
next 24 hours.
Assassinate. The slaughter wight has advantage on
attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn
in the combat yet. In addition, any hit it scores against
a creature that is surprised is a critical hit.
Wight, Slaughter Wight
Slaughter wights kill for payment or pleasure.
“I know only this—I feed to live, and live to feed.”
—Redbone, wight assassin
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the slaughter
wight has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Actions
Multiattack. The slaughter wight makes two attacks,
either with its longsword or longbow. It can use Life
Drain in place of one longsword attack.
Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 20 (5d6 + 4) necrotic damage and the
slaughter wight regains hit points equal to the necrotic
damage done. The target must succeed on a DC 15
Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is
reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This
reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The
target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum
to 0.
A humanoid slain by this attack rises 24 hours later as
a regular wight under the slaughter wight’s control,
unless the humanoid is restored to life or its body is
destroyed. The slaughter wight can have no more than
four wights under its control at one time. Sometimes a
newly created spawn becomes a slaughter wight
instead of a mere wight, though the wiles of the dark
gods determine such instances (that is, the DM
decides when this occurs).
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage, or 10
(1d10 + 4) slashing damage if used with two hands,
plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.
Longbow. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 5 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 7
(2d6) necrotic damage.
91

Vilewight
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 93 (11d8 + 44)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS
18 (+4) 15 (+2) 18 (+4) 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
Skills Athletics +8, Arcana +11
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons
that aren't silvered
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Vile Soul. All damage a vilewight deals is vile
damage.
Wight, Vilewight
Vilewights are undead creatures, the remains of those that
delved too far and too long into the black arts. They resemble
wights—eyes burning with malevolence, teeth like sharp,
jagged needles, and leathery, desiccated flesh. The torso of a
vilewight tears open when it rises from the dead, exposing
dried, rubbery intestines. These guts function as limbs,
snaking out of the wound as multiple tendrils. Each tendril
ends in a vicious mouth dripping bile.
CHA These undead creatures haunt graveyards and
necropolises, but they also can be found in ancient libraries
and in hidden cellars beneath wizards’ guilds. Vilewights
retain none of the abilities they had in life.
Life Blindness
For the first 24 hours, the infected victim feels like
the world is becoming more bleak and empty. After
24 hours have passed, the victim loses all ability to
perceive living creatures, even plants. All such
beings are treated as invisible, silent, and odorless.
This disease typically causes extreme loneliness
and despair.

Leech. Whenever the vilewight deals necrotic

damage, it regains a number of hit points equal to
the damage done.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the vilewight
has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Create Wight. A humanoid slain by the vilewight
rises 1d4 rounds later as a wight under the
vilewight’s control, unless the humanoid is restored
to life or its body is destroyed. The vilewight can
have no more than seven wights under its control
at one time.

Actions
Multiattack. The vilewight makes two claw attacks, a
bite attack, and a flurry of tendril bites attack.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage plus
10 (3d6) necrotic damage. If the target is a
creature, it is grappled (escape DC 16.) Until the
grapple ends, the vilewight can't use this claw on
another target. The vilewight has two claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage plus
10 (3d6) necrotic damage.
Flurry of Tendril Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to
hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 14 (4d4 + 4) piercing
damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage. The target
must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving
throw or contract Life Blindness.
Dark Channel (Recharge 4, 5, or 6). The vilewight
channels the negative energy infusing it into a line
of cold, black energy 10 feet wide and 60 feet long.
Everyone in the area takes 45 (10d8) points of
necrotic damage, or half on a successful DC 15
Dexterity saving throw. Undead are instead healed
for a like amount.

92
 Wormcaller
Mediun undead (wormspawn), chaotic evil

Armor Class 17 (half plate)

Hit Points 162 (19d8 + 76)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

13 (+1) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 22 (+6) 20 (+5)

Saves Con +8, Wis +10

Skills Arcana +10, Perception +14, Religion +10
Damage Immunities cold, lightning, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 24
Languages Abyssal, Flan (or a similar ancient
language from your campaign)
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Magic Resistance. The wormcaller has advantage on

saving throws against spells and other magical
effects.
Innate Spellcasting. The wormcaller’s innate
spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 18,
+10 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast
the following spells, requiring only its pixie dust as
a component:
At will: animate dead, animate infectious zombie,
command undead, desecrate, dispel magic, ghost
light, hold person, Mabar's darkness, major image
3/day: animate dread warrior, black sand, create
undead, dread blast, finger of agony, mass inflict
wounds, necrotic skull bomb, rally of the damned,
skull watch, touch of Vecna, wall of bones, wrack
1/day: necrotic curse, pact of return, revive undead,
soul shackles, undeath after death, unfetter undead

Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) piercing damage plus
28 (8d6) necrotic damage.
Worm Healing. The wormcaller consumes a
wormswarm within 5 feet of it. This heals the
wormcaller of all damage and grants it the benefit
of a panacea spell. The wormswarm is completely
destroyed, but makes no move to defend itself
from this consumption.

Wormcaller
The wormcallers are the lesser priests who helped Kyuss
shift from mortal to god.

93
 Worm of Kyuss Wormswarm
Tiny aberration (wormspawn), chaotic evil Large swarm of Tiny aberrations (wormspawn),
chaotic evil
Armor Class 6
Hit Points 1 (1d4 - 4) Armor Class 6
Speed 1 ft. Hit Points 1 (1d4 - 4)
Speed 1 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
2 (-4) 2 (-4) 2 (-4) 2 (-4) 2 (-4) 2 (-4)
2 (-4) 20 (+5) 2 (-4) 2 (-4) 2 (-4) 2 (-4)
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned Damage Immunities poison
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 6 Condition Immunities poisoned
Languages — Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 6
Challenge 0 (10 XP) Languages —
Challenge 0 (10 XP)
Holy Water Vulnerability. Holy water damages the
worm as if it were undead. Holy Water Vulnerability. Holy water damages the
worm as if it were undead.
Actions
Attach. The kyuss worm tries to attach to one
Actions
humanoid it shares a space with. That humanoid Attach. The kyuss worm tries to attach to one
must make a DC 6 Dexterity saving throw. On a humanoid it shares a space with. That humanoid
failure, the worm attaches to it. The worm can be must make a DC 6 Dexterity saving throw. On a
killed normally or scraped off while on the failure, the worm attaches to it. The worm can be
creature's skin. Otherwise, the worm burrows under killed normally or scraped off while on the
the target’s skin at the end of the target’s next turn, creature's skin. Otherwise, the worm burrows under
dealing l piercing damage to it. At the end of each the target’s skin at the end of the target’s next turn,
of its turns thereafter, the target takes 7 (2d6) dealing l piercing damage to it. At the end of each
necrotic damage per worm infesting it (maximum of its turns thereafter, the target takes 7 (2d6)
of 10d6). A worm-infested target dies if it drops to necrotic damage per worm infesting it (maximum
0 hit points, then rises 10 minutes later as a spawn of 10d6). A worm-infested target dies if it drops to
of Kyuss. If a worm-infested creature is targeted by 0 hit points, then rises 10 minutes later as a spawn
an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all of Kyuss. If a worm-infested creature is targeted by
the worms infesting it wither away. an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all
the worms infesting it wither away.

Worm of Kyuss
These little abominations are among the humblest of Kyuss's
many minions, yet they can still be very deadly. However, they
cannot survive for long apart from flesh to feed on, and so are
only rarely found alone (and then usually through magical
preservation).

94
 Acidwraith
Large undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 136 (16d10 + 48)
Speed swim 90 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 21 (+5) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 21 (+5)
Saving Throws: Dex +10, Con +8, Cha +10> - Skills
Arcana +13, Perception +6, Stealth +15
Damage Resistances cold, fire; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical weapons that aren’t
silvered
Damage Immunities acid, lightning, necrotic, poison,
thunder
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Aquan
Challenge 16 (5040 XP)
Acidic Body. A creature that touches the acidwraith or
hits it with a melee attack while within 5 ft. of it takes
6 (1d12) acid damage.
Alchemical Supremacy. The acidwraith can create any
potion with no cost in materials and half the time listed
out of its own substance, if it has an alchemical
laboratory available.
Liquid Dependency. An acidwraith must remain in
contact with a body of liquid at least as large as it. If it
starts its turn not in contact with liquid, it suffers 11
(2d10) points of radiant damage.
Wraith, Acidwraith
The foul, toxic liquid bubbles and surges to noxious life,
sliding up onto itself and quickly filling out into the form of a
lumbering, draconic beast. The thing’s body is semi-
translucent and gelatinous, and streamers of acid drip from
its flanks to sizzle on the ground—some of these strands
writhe and crack like whips. Its long neck ends in a
disturbing tangle of skulls, some human, some draconic, and
some something in between.
This creature manifested when the soul of a marid genie
merged with a specific combination of acids and magical
alchemical fluids associated with dragons are mixed together.
In many ways, the genie’s ghost has possessed this dangerous
combination of chemicals, yet it is not technically a ghost.
The creature’s head is the only really solid part of its body, a
collection of skulls that shift between the draconic and the
humanoid. These skulls are real bone manifested by the
acidwraith’s presence; they constantly reform and rebuild as
the thing’s acidic body eats them away.
Corrupting Aura. All water within 10 feet of an
acidwraith is quickly converted into acid. In a large
body of water, this merely surrounds the acidwraith
with diluted acid that inflicts 4 (1d8) points of acid
damage to anything that tarts its turn within the area.
Elementals primarily composed of water who are
within 10 feet of an acidwraith take 27 (6d8) acid
damage as their bodies are eaten away. Magic water
(and non-water liquid such as blood and potions) is not
affected by an acidwraith’s corrupting aura.
Regeneration. The acidwraith regains 15 hit points at
the start of its turn if it has at least one hit point and is
in contact with a body of liquid at least as large as it.
Actions
Multiattack. The acidwraith makes a bite attack and four
tendril attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5ft., one
target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) piercing damage plus 13
(2d12) acid damage.
Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10ft.,
one target. Hit: 13 (2d12) acid damage. Miss: 6
(1d12) acid damage.
Acid Breath (Recharge 5–6). The acidwraith exhales acid
in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make
a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 54 (12d8) acid
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one. A creature hit by this blast must make a
Constitution saving throw. On a failure, it deals only
half damage with weapon attacks that use Strength. At
the end of each of the target’s turns, it can make a DC
18 Constituion saving throw. On a success, the effect
ends.
The acidwraith itself is incorporeal, yet much of is body
consists of acidic, poisonous fluid. Close inspection reveals
that the fluid constantly runs out of its body only to be
reabsorbed from surrounding liquid. An acidwraith deprived
of a constant source of liquid quickly grows powerless.
Like all incorporeal creatures, an acidwraith can pass
through solid objects. When it does so, its bony skulls and
acidic body slough to the floor. As soon as the acidwraith
emerges, its acidic body and skulls reform, as long as the
creature is in a watery area.
The acidwraith is quite intelligent, and its skill at alchemy
is prodigious. Given resources and time, this creature could
easily create many more similar manifestations of undead
elementals bonded with the acidic leavings of black dragons.
An acidwraith is the size of a large horse. Its liquid body
weighs about 1,500 pounds.
95
 Bane Wraith Innate Spellcasting. The wraith's innate spellcasting
ability is Charimsa (spell save DC 15). The wraith can
Medium undead, neutral evil
innately cast detect thoughts and disguise self at will,
Armor Class 14 requiring no material components.
Hit Points 105 (14d8 + 42) Empathetic Sense. When it enters 30 feet of any
Speed 0ft., fly 80 ft. (hover) sentient being, the bane wraith automatically knows
the name and appearance of every one of that
individual's friends and loved ones. Furthermore, it
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA gains a general sense of where the individual believes
6 (-2) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) their loved ones are, though this information might not
be accurate. Mind-blocking effects, such mind blank,
Skills Deception +10, Intimidation +10 protect against this effect.
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical Actions
attacks that aren't silvered Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft.,
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison one creature. Hit 26 (5d8 + 4) necrotic damage. The
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled, target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts
Languages the languages it knew in life until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP) this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Incorporeal Movement. The bane wraith can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the bane wraith
has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Create Wraith. The bane wraith targets a humanoid
within 10 feet of it that has been dead for no longer
than 1 minute and died violently. The target's spirit
rises as a wraith in the space of its corpse or in the
nearest unoccupied space, and physically resembles its
former self. The wraith is under the bane wraith's
control. The bane wraith can have no more than four
wraiths under its control at one time.

Wraith, Bane Wraith

Created when an individual watches everyone he or she loves
die, bane wraiths spread the suffering they endured to others.
Anyone who angers a bane wraith (and these temperamental
creatures are very easy to anger) will have his or her loved
ones hunted down, killed, and turned into specters who serve
the wraith.

Suffocation
A creature can hold its breath for a number of
minutes equal to 1 + its Constitution modifier
(minimum of 30 seconds).
When a creature runs out of breath or is choking,
it can survive for a number of rounds equal to its
Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 round). At
the start of its next turn, it drops to 0 hit points
and is dying, and it can't regain hit points or be
stabilized until it can breathe again.
For example, a creature with a Constitution of
14 can hold its breath for 3 minutes. If it starts
suffocating, it has 2 rounds to reach air before it
drops to 0 hit points.

96
 Dimensional Wraith
Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)

Hit Points 105 (14d8 + 42)
Speed 0 ft., fly 60ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

6 (-2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)

Skills Stealth +9
Damage Vulnerabilities force
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning,
thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
from nonmagical weapons that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 7
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 7 (3,900 XP)

Blink. At the end of each of its turns, the

dimensional wraith chooses if it will be on the
Ethereal Plane or the Material Plane. Anyone it is
grappling is taken with it. It is visible on the
Material Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and
vice versa, yet it can’t affect or be affected by
anything on the other plane.
Dimensionally Shifted. The dimensional wraith is
immune to all area of effect abilities (such as
fireball or hypnotic pattern). It is affected normally
by targeted abilities (such as slow or scorching ray).
Incorporeal Movement. The dimensional wraith can
move through other creatures and objects as if they
were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force
damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Actions
Multiattack. The dimensional wraith attacks twice
with its claws. If two claws hit the same target, the
wraith rends the target, dealing an extra 2d8 force
damage and the wraith is healed by the extra
damage dealt.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) force damage, and the
wraith regains hit points equal to the damage dealt.
Instead of dealing damage, the wraith can grapple
the target (escape DC 14).

Wraith, Dimensional Wraith

Created when a person dies halfway through a portal to the
Ethereal, dimensional wraiths are strange creatures. They
like to lurk in hiding on the Material, then dash out, grab a
victim, and drag the victim to the ethereal, where the wraith
shreds it with its claws. Unlike normal wraiths, dimensional
wraiths cannot create specters.

97
 Orb Wraith
Huge undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 21 (spectral armor)
Hit Points 315 (30d12 + 120)
Speed 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 22 (+6)
Skills Arcana +16, Intimidation +12, Perception +10
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
weapons that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained
Senses darkvision 300 ft., passive Perception 20
Languages the languages all its pieces knew in life
Challenge 20 (25,000 XP)
Incorporeal Movement. The wraith can move through
other creatures and objects as if they were difficult
terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its
turn inside an object.
Negative Aura. All undead within 60 feet of the orb
wraith (including it) are immune to being turned.
Regeneration. The orb wraith regains 10 hit points at
the start of its turn. If the wraith takes radiant damage,
this trait doesn’t function at the start of the wraith’s
next turn.
Retributive Enervation. A creature that touches the orb
wraith or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 ft. of
it takes 18 (4d8) necrotic damage and must succeed
on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or its hit point
maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the
damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target
finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect
reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Spectral Armor. The orb wraith adds its Charisma to its
Armor Class (included above).
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the wraith has
disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Wraith, Orb
An orb wraith is an undead monstrosity formed when six or
more ordinary wraiths come together in an area of powerful
negative energy. They are common on the Negative Energy
Plane, but most natives of the Material Plane encounter them
within localized areas of negative energy.
An orb wraith looks like a vaguely humanoid mass of
darkness. Different features—faces, limbs, and glowing red
eyes—shift and surface within the creature at different times.
Bolts of purple-black negative energy spark within its body,
like lightning within a looming thundercloud.
98
Innate Spellcasting. The orb wraith’s innate spellcasting
ability is Charisma (spell save DC 20, +12 to hit with
spell attacks). The orb wraith can innately cast the
following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: bestow eternal curse, dispel magic, fear, harm
3/day: necrotic skull bomb, withering palm
1/day: avascular mass, touch of the graveborn
Actions
Multiattack. The orb wraith makes 2d4 life drain attacks.
Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10
ft., one creature. Hit: 23 (4d8 + 5) necrotic damage.
The target must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution
saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an
amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts
until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if
this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Energy Drain (Recharge 5-6). The orb wraith targets one
living creature within 120 feet of it. The creature must
make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw. It takes 110
(20d10) necrotic damage on a failure, or half as much
on a success, and its maximum hit points are reduced
by an amount equal to the necrotic damage done. The
target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum
to 0.
The orb wraith then can either heal a willing undead
target (including itself) by that many hit points, or
share that damage with another living target. The new
target of damage must make a DC 20 Constitution
saving throw. It takes the same damage the original
target took on a failure, or half as much on a success.
Create Wraith. The orb wraith targets a humanoid within
10 feet of it that has been dead for no longer than 1
minute and died violently. The target’s spirit rises as a
wraith in the space of its corpse or in the nearest
unoccupied space. The wraith is under the orb wraith’s
control. The orb wraith can have no more than twelve
wraiths under its control at one time.
Consume Wraith. The orb wraith targets one wraith of
any type within 10 feet of it. That wraith must make a
DC 20 Constitution saving throw (it can choose to fail
if it wishes). On a failure, it is totally subsumed into the
orb wraith, and the orb wraith gains as many hit dice as
the victim creature had, up to a maximum of 60. When
an orb wraith advances to 60 HD, it fissions into two
30 HD orb wraiths.
 Voidwraith
Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 14
Hit Points 82 (11d8 + 33)
Speed 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

6 (-2) 19 (+4) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 13 (+1) 16 (+3)

Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning;

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
nonmagical attacks not made with silvered
weapons
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, thunder
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone,
restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Auran
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Airless Aura. There is no air within 5 feet of the

voidwraith. Creatures must hold their breath before
approaching to avoid suffocating. If the voidwraith
surprises a creature, that creature cannot hold its
breath while surprised.
Incorporeal Movement. The voidwraith can move
through other creatures and objects as if they were
difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it
ends its turn inside an object.

Actions
Steal Breath. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 22 (4d8 + 4) necrotic damage.
The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution
saving throw or immediately start suffocating.

Wraith, Voidwraith
Although it is rare, sometimes an elemental becomes undead.
An undead air elemental may become a voidwraith. The rules
on suffocation are reprinted on the previous page.

99
 Totem Zombie
Medium undead, lawful neutral
Armor Class 16 (chain mail)
Hit Points 34 (4d8+16)
Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13 (+1) 8 (-1) 18 (+4) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 5 (-3)
Saving Throws Con +6, Wis +2
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to
0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless
the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a
success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.
Totem. The zombie has a specific totem in place of
its head, granting it benefits as befits its totem.
Bear. The spirit of the bear makes the zombie
tough enough to stand up to any punishment. It has
resistance to all damage except radiant damage.
Eagle. The spirit of the eagle makes the zombie into
a predator who can weave through the fray with
ease. Other creatures have disadvantage on
opportunity attack rolls against it, and it can use the
Dash action as a bonus action.
Elk. The spirit of the elk makes the zombie
extraordinarily swift. Its walking speed increases by
40 feet.
Tiger. The spirit of the tiger empowers the
zombie's pounces. If the zombie moves at least 20
ft. straight toward a creature and then hits it with a
melee attack on the same turn, that target must
succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be
knocked prone. If the target is prone, the zombie
can make one attack against it as a bonus action.
Wolf. The spirit of the wolf makes the zombie a
leader of hunters. Its allies have advantage on melee
attack rolls against any creature within 5 feet of the
zombie.
Actions
Maul. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 8 (2d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit,
reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 4
(1d6 + 1) piercing damage.
100
True Strahd Zombie
Medium undead, unaligned
Armor Class 16 (chain mail)
Hit Points 57 (6d8 + 30)
Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 8 (-1) 21 (+5) 4 (-3) 10 (+0) 5 (-3)
Saving Throws Con +7, Wis +2
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands the languages it knew in life
but can't speak
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Magic Resistance. The true Strahd zombie has
advantage on saving throws against spells and other
magical effects, and against Turn Undead.
Relentless. When reduced to 0 hit points, the true
Strahd zombie goes inactive. It heals 5 hit points at
the start of each of its turns. When it has reached
full hit points, it reanimates and attacks again.
Radiant damage done to it is not healed in this way,
and completely destroying the body as with a
disintegrate spell also destroys it. If it is destroyed
through Turn Undead, it cannot regenerate either.
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the true strahd
zombie to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution
saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken,
unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit.
On a success, the zombie drops to 1 hit point
instead.
Actions
Multiattack. The true strahd zombie makes two slam
attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
There are many more types of zombies than those listed in
the Monster Manual.
Zombie, Totem
Some tribal societies reanimate their dead to serve as
guardians, replacing their heads with totems or crafting
exquisite masks for them to wear. These zombies are
honorbound to protect their living descendents.
Zombie, True Strahd Zombie
True Strahd zombies are one of Strahd von Zarovich's most
fearsome creations. They cannot truly die except to powerful
magic or divine providence, and consequently they seem
unstoppable to the common folk. He keeps them in reserve
for when he wishes to unleash a higher level of terror, and
Miscellaneous Creatures Swarm of Leeches
Medium swarm of Tiny beasts, unaligned
Dire Maggot Armor Class 11
Small beast, unaligned Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Speed 5 ft., swim 10 ft.
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 39 (7d6 + 14)
Speed 40ft., climb 40 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
2 (-4) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 1 (-5) 2 (-4) 1 (-5)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Skills Stealth +5
13 (+1) 15 (+2) 15 (+2) 1 (-5) 10 (+0) 2 (-4)
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
Skills Perception +2 grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained,
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 stunned
Languages — Senses tremorsense 30 ft., passive Perception 6
Challenge 1 (200 XP) Languages —
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Keen Smell. The dire maggot has advantage on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s
space and vice versa, and the swarm can move
Actions through any opening large enough for a Tiny leech.
The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10ft.,
hit points.
one target. Hit 7 (2d4 + 2) piercing damage. If the
target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 12 Anesthetic. Unlike other swarms, a leech swarm
Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed until the often goes unnoticed until it is too late. The victim
end of the dire maggot's next turn. of a leech swarm's attack must make a DC 15
Wisdom (Survival) check to notice the swarm's
attack.
Dire Maggot Amphibious. The leeches can breathe air and water.
Dire maggots are not undead, but they have a connection to Actions
the unliving for their diet: corpses. Blood Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach
0 ft., one creature in the swarm's space. Hit: 10
Swarm of Leeches (4d4) piercing damage, or 5 (2d4) piercing damage
Leech swarms typically lie quiescent in stagnant pools, if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer, and
waiting for prey to come to them. While they are capable of the target has disadvantage on Constitution saving
surviving out of water, they will rarely stray more than 5 feet throws until the start of the swarm's next turn.
from the water's edge (though some leeches will cling to
creatures after they leave the water).

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