Large undead (zombie), neutral evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 93 (11d10 + 33)
Speed 0 ft., fly 20 ft. (hover)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +5 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 8 (-1) | 16 (+3) | 3 (-4) | 8 (-1) | 5 (-3) |
Saving Throws Wis +2
Saving Throws (suggested) Con +6, Wis +2
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned, prone
Senses darkvision 60 ft. , passive Perception 9
Languages understands Deep Speech and Undercommon but can’t speak
Challenge 5 (1,800 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.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) piercing damage.
- Eye Ray. The zombie uses a random magical eye ray, choosing a target that it can see withi n 60 feet of it.
- Paralyzing Ray. The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 14 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.
- Fear Ray. The targeted creature must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened 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.
- Enervation Ray. The targeted creature must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
- Disintegration Ray. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 45 (10d8) force damage. If this damage reduces the creature to 0 hit points, its body becomes a pile of fine gray dust. If the target is a Large or smaller non magical object or creation of magical force, it is disintegrated without a saving throw. If the target is a Huge or larger nonmagical object or creation of magical force, this ray disintegrates a 10-foot cube of it.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
Beholder zombies are undead monstrosities that were once beholders, the fearsome and tyrannical aberrations that rule the Underdark. They have been reanimated by dark magic, disease, or other unnatural forces, and have lost most of their intelligence and personality. They are usually controlled by their creators or masters, but some may roam freely and attack any living creature they encounter.
A beholder zombie looks like a rotting, moldy, and shriveled version of a normal beholder. It has a large spherical body with a single central eye and several eyestalks that protrude from its head. Its mouth is filled with sharp teeth that can bite with surprising force. Its skin is covered with wounds, scars, and patches of decay, exposing its internal organs and bones. Some of its eyes may be missing, damaged, or clouded by a milky film.
A beholder zombie retains some of the powers of its living self, depending on how many eyes it still has. It can use its central eye to project a cone of negative energy that prevents healing and raises the dead as zombies. It can also use its eyestalks to fire rays of various effects, such as disintegration, fear, paralysis, petrification, sleep, or telekinesis. However, it cannot use any charm powers, as those are lost in undeath.
COMBAT
A beholder zombie is a slow and clumsy creature, but it is relentless and hard to kill. It can fly and hover in the air, but it does so with less agility and grace than a living beholder. It usually attacks by biting with its mouth and firing rays from its eyes at the same time. It can target multiple enemies with its eyestalks, or focus on one foe with its central eye.
A beholder zombie has a remarkable ability to survive injuries that would kill a living creature. It can shrug off most types of damage, except for radiant damage or critical hits. If it is reduced to zero hit points by any other means, it can make a constitution saving throw to drop to one hit point instead. This ability is called undead fortitude.
A beholder zombie is immune to poison damage and the poisoned condition. It is also immune to sleep, charm, and hold spells. It has no need for air, food, drink, or sleep.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A beholder zombie has no natural habitat or society. It is usually found in places where corpses are abundant, such as graveyards, dungeons, or battlefields. It may also be found in places where its creator or master resides or operates, such as lairs, temples, or fortresses.
A beholder zombie has no will of its own, but obeys the commands of its creator or master. If it has no such authority figure, it follows its primal instincts to feed on the living or attack anything that moves. A beholder zombie has no memory of its former life or personality, and does not recognize other beholders or creatures as allies or enemies.
A beholder zombie may be encountered alone or in groups. Sometimes, a powerful necromancer or evil being may create or control several beholder zombies as minions or guardians. Other times, a rogue death tyrant may spawn a horde of zombies from its victims and lead them in a rampage across the land.
ECOLOGY
A beholder zombie is an unnatural creature that disrupts the balance of life and death. It is created from the corpse of a dead beholder by dark magic, disease, or other unnatural forces. The process of reanimation may vary depending on the source and method used.
Some beholder zombies are created by necromantic spells that force the transition from life to undeath and imprint the brain with instructions. These spells are rare and difficult to perform, requiring specialized knowledge and materials. Some human mages have developed such spells in the remote past, but they are more commonly used by illithid villains or outcast magic-using beholders.
Some beholder zombies are created by diseases that infect the living beholders and cause them to die and rise again as undead. These diseases may be natural or artificial in origin, and may spread through contact or vectors. One such disease is called the eye rot, which causes the eyes of the infected beholders to decay and fall off.
Some beholder zombies are created by other unnatural forces that defy explanation or logic. These forces may be cosmic, planar, divine, infernal, or eldritch in nature. They may be random occurrences or part of a larger scheme or prophecy. One such force is called the death curse, which prevents resurrection magic from working and causes souls to be devoured by an ancient evil.
A beholder zombie does not reproduce or grow. It does not need to eat, but it may do so out of habit or instinct. It may feed on flesh, blood, bones, or brains of its victims, or any other organic matter. It may also consume magic items, scrolls, or spellbooks, as it retains some of its former curiosity and greed.
A beholder zombie does not have a natural lifespan. It may exist indefinitely, unless it is destroyed by radiant damage, critical hits, or other means. It may also be dispelled by powerful magic, such as a wish spell or a divine intervention.
Zardock’s Journal: The Secrets of Beholder Zombies
Entry #85
Date: 18th of Nuwmont, 1011 AC
Location: The Great School of Magic, Glantri City
I have finally succeeded in my most ambitious and dangerous experiment: the animation of a beholder corpse as a loyal zombie servant. It was not easy, nor without risks, but the result was worth it. I have created a powerful and unique undead creature that obeys my every command and can unleash devastating rays of magic from its eyes.
The key to this achievement was the discovery of an ancient tome of Hag necromantic magic, hidden in the depths of the Underdark. I stumbled upon it by chance, while exploring a ruined temple of Lolth. The tome was written in a strange and twisted language, but I managed to decipher it with the help of my arcane knowledge and some divination spells.
The tome revealed the secrets of how the Hags, those vile and cunning witches, create and control their undead minions. They use a combination of dark rituals, foul ingredients, and twisted curses to bind the souls of their victims to their will. They also employ some rare and powerful items, such as hag stones, wild wands, and grave hag teeth, to enhance their magic and manipulate the forces of life and death.
I decided to apply these techniques to my own research on beholder zombies. I had already acquired a beholder corpse from a previous expedition, but it was inert and useless. I needed a way to reanimate it and make it obey me. I followed the instructions of the tome, and gathered the necessary components: a hag stone, a wild wand, a grave hag tooth, some eye rot spores, a death curse scroll, and a pint of my own blood.
I performed the ritual in my secret laboratory, under the cover of night. I placed the hag stone in the mouth of the beholder corpse, and used the wild wand to channel my magic through it. I carved a rune of domination on its forehead with the grave hag tooth, and sprinkled some eye rot spores on its eyes. I read aloud the death curse scroll, and cut my palm to spill some blood on its skin.
The ritual was intense and exhausting, but it worked. The beholder corpse twitched and groaned, then opened its eyes and looked at me. I felt a surge of power and satisfaction, as I sensed its mindless obedience to me. I had created a beholder zombie, and it was mine.
I have since tested its abilities and loyalty, and I am pleased with the results. It can fly and hover in the air, bite with its teeth, and fire rays from its eyes. It can survive most injuries, except for radiant damage or critical hits. It is immune to poison, sleep, charm, and hold spells. It follows my commands without question or hesitation.
I have also discovered some limitations and drawbacks. It is slow and clumsy, compared to a living beholder. It has lost some of its eyes’ powers due to injuries or death. It cannot use any charm powers, as those are lost in undeath. It has no self-awareness or personality, only a primal hunger for flesh and magic.
But these are minor flaws, compared to the benefits. I have gained a formidable ally and weapon, that can aid me in my quests for knowledge and power. I have also unlocked the secrets of Hag necromantic magic, which may lead me to further discoveries and achievements.