Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 36 (8d8)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +4 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 (+0) | 15 (+2) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) |
Saving Throws Int +4, Cha +5
Skills Arcana +4, History +4
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 11
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Innate Spellcasting. The deathlock’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
- At will: detect magic, disguise self, mage armor
Spellcasting. The deathlock is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). It regains its expended spell slots when it finishes a short or long rest. It knows the following warlock spells:
- Cantrips (at will): chill touch, eldritch blast, mage hand
- 1st- 3rd level (two 3rd-level slots): arms of Hadar, dispel magic, hold person, hunger of Hadar, invisibility, spider climb
Turn Resistance. The deathlock has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
ACTIONS
- Deathly Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) necrotic damage.
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
A deathlock is a type of undead spellcaster that is bound to serve a master, usually an evil patron or a necromancer. A deathlock was once a living warlock who failed to fulfill their part of a pact with their patron, and was reanimated as a punishment and a tool. The forging of a pact between a warlock and a patron is no minor occasion – at least not for the warlock. The consequences of breaking that pact can be dire and, in some cases, lethal. A warlock who fails to live up to a bargain with an evil patron runs the risk of rising from the dead as a deathlock, a foul undead driven to serve its otherworldly patron from beyond the grave. An extraordinarily powerful necromancer might also discover the dark methods of creating a deathlock and then bind it to service, acting in this respect as the deathlock’s patron. A deathlock retains some of the abilities and memories of its former life, but has no free will or personality of its own. A deathlock’s appearance varies depending on the nature of its patron and the circumstances of its death, but it is usually a decayed and twisted version of its former self, with glowing eyes and dark energy crackling around it.
COMBAT
A deathlock is a formidable opponent in combat, as it can use its innate spellcasting ability to unleash various necrotic and eldritch attacks. A deathlock can cast spells through Charisma, and has access to spells such as arms of Hadar, dispel magic, hold person, hunger of Hadar, invisibility, and spider climb. A deathlock can also use its deathly claw or grave bolt attacks to deal necrotic damage to its enemies. A deathlock is resistant to necrotic damage and nonmagical weapons that are not silvered, and immune to poison and exhaustion. A deathlock has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead, and does not require air, food, drink, or sleep.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A deathlock does not have a habitat or society of its own, as it is completely loyal and obedient to its master. A deathlock can be found anywhere its master sends it, usually on missions that involve killing, spying, or sabotaging. A deathlock does not interact with other creatures unless ordered to do so, and has no emotions or desires. A deathlock can understand the languages it knew in life, but rarely speaks unless commanded. A deathlock can sometimes be accompanied by other undead minions or allies of its master.
ECOLOGY
A deathlock is an unnatural creature that disrupts the balance of life and death. A deathlock does not have a soul or a connection to the positive or negative energy planes, but rather draws its power from its patron. A deathlock does not reproduce or create more of its kind, but can be created by powerful patrons or necromancers who have access to the secrets of undeath. A deathlock can be destroyed by destroying its body or severing its link to its patron. A deathlock does not leave any remains or traces behind when it is destroyed.