Spore Zombies

The wastes of the Shard Blight retain many curses and corruptions from the Fall of Shards, the worst of which pervert the sanctity of death. One such curse manifests as a terrible roving fog that draws the corpses of the fallen to rise as spore zombies (resilient undead of frightening speed and bloodlust.) As well, some of the more heinous fiends that walk these scarred lands feed on the life force of the living, leaving these terrible undead in their wake.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Humanoid with various fungal protrusions and puss and spore filled goiters cover their body.

Biological Traits

Psychotic Frenzy: Unlike typical zombies, which are ponderous and lumbering stalkers, a spore zombie races quickly toward its prey, eager to tear flesh from bone. Each kill it makes drives it into a fighting frenzy, during which it howls with delight. It doesn't feed on those it kills, but rather leaves the corpses to rot. Humanoids killed by a spore zombie become spore zombies themselves, rising quickly to join their slayer in merry carnage.
Undead: A spore zombie doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.

VARIANT: SPORE ZOMBIE BURSTERS Some spore zombies become bloated with diseased spores and bile, their frenzied state pushing them to rush other living creatures, explode, and spread their horrid infection. A spore zombie burster has the following additional action option:
Burst. The zombie explodes and is destroyed. Each creature with in 5 feet of it must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A humanoid creature killed by this damage rises as a spore zombie after 1 minute.

Geographic Distribution

• The Shard Blight

Spore Zombie

Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 10

Hit Points 37 5d8+15

Speed 35ft

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STR

12 +1

DEX

10 0

CON

16 +3

INT

3 -4

WIS

6 -2

CHA

5 -3

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Saving Throws Con +5, Wis +0

Damage Immunities Poison

Condition Immunities Poisoned

Senses darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 8

Languages understands the languages it knew in life, but can't speak

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.
Shroud of Spores: A humanoid slain by a melee attack from the zombie revives as a spore zombie on its next turn.
Psychotic Frenzy: Unlike typical zombies, which are ponderous and lumbering stalkers, a spore zombie races quickly toward its prey, eager to tear flesh from bone. Each kill it makes drives it into a fighting frenzy, during which it howls with delight. It doesn't feed on those it kills, but rather leaves the corpses to rot. Humanoids killed by a husk zombie become husk zombies themselves, rising quickly to join their slayer in merry carnage. Undead: A spore zombie doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.
VARIANT: SPORE ZOMBIE BURSTERS Some spore zombies become bloated with diseased spores and bile, their frenzied state pushing them to rush other living creatures, explode, and spread their horrid infection. A spore zombie burster has the following additional action option: Burst. The zombie explodes and is destroyed. Each creature with in 5 feet of it must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A humanoid creature killed by this damage rises as a spore zombie after 1 minute.

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Actions

Multiattack. The zombie makes two claw attacks. For each of these attacks that reduces a creature to 0 hit points, the zombie can make an additional claw attack.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. , one target. Hit: 6 ( l d 6 + 3) slashing damage.