We all know about the (Animate Dead) spell, but I’ve been longing for a spell that creates other types of undead as well as sum sort of undead template. For that reason, I decided to create this 9th-level spell. The idea was to create a spell that granted semi permanent control over multiple undead of your own creation.
PS: In my campaign, this spell was designed by a Drow Archlich named Ara.
ARA’S VILE REANIMATION
9th-level, necromancy
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (A gem increased skull worth at least 500 gp per Hit Die of the target)
Duration: Instantaneous
You touch the rotting corpse or skeletal remains of a flesh-and-blood creature with a challenge rating of 13 or lower and imbue it with negative energy, turning it into an undead thrall. The following characteristics change or are added to a creature that becomes an undead thrall.
The thrall retains its Armor Class, hit points, Hit Dice, Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, and Languages.
The thrall loses its original saving throw and skill bonuses, resistances, vulnerabilities, immunities, special senses, and special traits. It loses any action that isn’t Multiattack or a melee weapon attack that deals bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. If it has an action or a melee weapon attack that deals some other type of damage, it loses the ability to deal damage of that type, unless the damage comes from a piece of equipment, such as a magic item.
The thrall’s type is undead, and it loses any tags.
The thrall is chaotic evil. It is hostile to all creatures and attacks the nearest non-undead to the best of its ability.
The thrall’s ability scores change as follows: Int 6 (-2), Wis 8 (−1), Cha 5 (−5).
The thrall has darkvision out to a rage of 60 feet.
The thrall is immune to poison damage, the poisoned condition, and the exhaustion condition.
The thrall can’t speak.
If damage reduces the thrall 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 thrall drops to 1 hit point instead.
If the thrall has no other means of dealing damage, it can use its fists or limbs to make unarmed strikes. On a hit, an unarmed strike deals bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + the servant’s Strength modifier if it’s Medium or smaller, 2d6 + the servant’s Strength modifier if it’s Large, 3d6 + the servant’s Strength modifier if it’s Huge, or 4d6 + the servant’s Strength modifier if it’s Gargantuan.
Alternatively, you turn the target into an undead wit a challenge rating equal to or lower then the creatures that the DM rules it can become. For example, if you cast this spell targeting the skeletal remains of a minotaur, it can become either an undead minotaur thrall or a miniature skeleton (your choice).
As an action on your turn, you can make a DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) cheek and attempt to assert control over a creature you created with this spell that you can see within 60 feet of you. On a failed cheek, you can’t attempt to assert control over the target again for another 24 hours. On a successful check, the target becomes friendly to you and obeys your commands for 24 hour.
EDIT: Originally I had one template for rotting corpses (zombies) and on for skeletal remains (skeletons). But I decided to change it to a single template combining the best aspects of both (undead thrall).
This is pretty well rounded. I like the spell in general, but I feel like making different kinds of thrawls over complicates things. A single undead troll, dragon, etc. is still cool! The simplicity yet depth of it all will add more flavor, not less. Good job writing the spell. You should publish it on dndbeyond.
I was actually debating whether or not to have a generic CORPS THRALL template instead of a BONE THRALL + FLESH THRALL template. In the end, It wouldn't be hard at all to give a skeleton and a zombie the SAME template. It actually opens up some options for combining the aspects of both.
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We all know about the (Animate Dead) spell, but I’ve been longing for a spell that creates other types of undead as well as sum sort of undead template. For that reason, I decided to create this 9th-level spell. The idea was to create a spell that granted semi permanent control over multiple undead of your own creation.
PS: In my campaign, this spell was designed by a Drow Archlich named Ara.
ARA’S VILE REANIMATION
9th-level, necromancy
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (A gem increased skull worth at least 500 gp per Hit Die of the target)
Duration: Instantaneous
You touch the rotting corpse or skeletal remains of a flesh-and-blood creature with a challenge rating of 13 or lower and imbue it with negative energy, turning it into an undead thrall. The following characteristics change or are added to a creature that becomes an undead thrall.
Alternatively, you turn the target into an undead wit a challenge rating equal to or lower then the creatures that the DM rules it can become. For example, if you cast this spell targeting the skeletal remains of a minotaur, it can become either an undead minotaur thrall or a miniature skeleton (your choice).
As an action on your turn, you can make a DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) cheek and attempt to assert control over a creature you created with this spell that you can see within 60 feet of you. On a failed cheek, you can’t attempt to assert control over the target again for another 24 hours. On a successful check, the target becomes friendly to you and obeys your commands for 24 hour.
EDIT: Originally I had one template for rotting corpses (zombies) and on for skeletal remains (skeletons). But I decided to change it to a single template combining the best aspects of both (undead thrall).
This is pretty well rounded. I like the spell in general, but I feel like making different kinds of thrawls over complicates things. A single undead troll, dragon, etc. is still cool! The simplicity yet depth of it all will add more flavor, not less. Good job writing the spell. You should publish it on dndbeyond.
My only good homebrews: Races, Subclasses.
An aspiring DM and Homebrewer. Ask me if you need anything.
Thank you so much for your impute :)
I was actually debating whether or not to have a generic CORPS THRALL template instead of a BONE THRALL + FLESH THRALL template. In the end, It wouldn't be hard at all to give a skeleton and a zombie the SAME template. It actually opens up some options for combining the aspects of both.