There are several cleric spells that will protect you from being turned undead. But I don't think I have seen a description or ability yet for a monster that says, "can turn you into an undead creature" or something similar. So, my question is, what and how does someone turn into something undead? Other than from vampires, or course, and I imagine the character has to have died, not just be unconscious for this to happen? In Dragon of Ice Spire, a story has a banshee turned dwarves into ghouls, but I didn't find anything in the banshee description saying how it does that. So, I am curious, what creatures/entities can turn someone undead?
Several monsters have an ability that causes a creature killed by them, either in general or due to a specific attack, to rise as an undead.
Shadow's turn non-evil humanoids they kill into Shadow's
The Devourer from Volo's is a large demon that can teleport unconscious humanoids into a cavity in its chest, if the humanoid dies it is turned into a specific undead determined by how many hit dice it has. As far as I know it's also the only demon whose tactics make sense to knock an enemy unconscious instead of killing them. This thing can be devastating if it appears in a populated area.
Both the Maurezhi and the Nabassu from Mordenkainen's can turn humanoids into ghoul's with their attacks.
There are necromantic spells (animate dead/raise dead) that can be cast by all sorts of evil spell casters. Level 6 wiz spell create undead would be known by every lich or high level necromancer. Usually its a case of killing the target then raising the body.
So, maybe this banshee in Dragon of Ice Spire was a magic user and that's how she changed the dwarves she killed into ghouls? Its not clear how that happened, or if its possible to happen to my players who about to encounter her. Thanks for the tips and notes on this.
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There are several cleric spells that will protect you from being turned undead. But I don't think I have seen a description or ability yet for a monster that says, "can turn you into an undead creature" or something similar. So, my question is, what and how does someone turn into something undead? Other than from vampires, or course, and I imagine the character has to have died, not just be unconscious for this to happen? In Dragon of Ice Spire, a story has a banshee turned dwarves into ghouls, but I didn't find anything in the banshee description saying how it does that. So, I am curious, what creatures/entities can turn someone undead?
Thanks.
Several monsters have an ability that causes a creature killed by them, either in general or due to a specific attack, to rise as an undead.
Shadow's turn non-evil humanoids they kill into Shadow's
The Devourer from Volo's is a large demon that can teleport unconscious humanoids into a cavity in its chest, if the humanoid dies it is turned into a specific undead determined by how many hit dice it has. As far as I know it's also the only demon whose tactics make sense to knock an enemy unconscious instead of killing them. This thing can be devastating if it appears in a populated area.
Both the Maurezhi and the Nabassu from Mordenkainen's can turn humanoids into ghoul's with their attacks.
There are necromantic spells (animate dead/raise dead) that can be cast by all sorts of evil spell casters. Level 6 wiz spell create undead would be known by every lich or high level necromancer. Usually its a case of killing the target then raising the body.
Just checking Basic and MM:
Plus of course anything that can cast Animate Dead or Create Undead.
Don't forget PCs! Hexblade warlocks can turn a victim into a specter and Spore druids can make a zombie.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
So, maybe this banshee in Dragon of Ice Spire was a magic user and that's how she changed the dwarves she killed into ghouls? Its not clear how that happened, or if its possible to happen to my players who about to encounter her. Thanks for the tips and notes on this.