I was wondering if I could call on the community to assist me in fine-tuning a monster as well as a disease for a level 1-3 module I am working on.
The TL:DR of the story is a druid who is using a tree that has grown from the stake in a vampire to cultivate a poison that she is using to turn a town into zombies.
The creatures which I am calling thorn zombies were meant to be low CR mob-type enemies with a vulnerability to fire as well as blindsight against targets with blood. Not the biggest of hitters but the danger lies in touching them and them touching you which risks the spread of the infection. Used the zombie stat block as my template and worked from there. Should still be a 1/4 CR or possibly a 1/8 CR once they realize the fire vulnerability.
Thorn Zombie
Medium undead
Armor Class 8
Hit Points 20
Speed 20 ft.
STR 14(+2)
DEX 6 (-2)
CON 16(+3)
INT 3(-4)
WIS 6(-2)
CHA 5(-3)
Saving Throws WIS +0
Damage Vulnerability Fire
Condition Immunities Charmed
SensesBlindsight 30 ft. (only works on creatures with blood), Passive Perception 8
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Abrasive Touch: The thorns moving beneath the skin of this undead are a constant threat. The target of a successful grab attack or the successful user of a touch range spell or 5ft range melee attack against the thorn zombie must make a DC 10 Constitution Saving Throw or contract stage 1 of the Creeping Thorn sickness.
Actions
Grab. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage. A successful grab attack also triggers the above Abrasive Touch ability.
Description: This undead is a humanoid who has completely succumbed to the Creeping Thorn Sickness. The vines and thorns have assumed complete control and cause the humanoid to move with a twisting and jerking gait as if it was under the control of something that does not understand how humanoids operate. Vines and roots are visibly writhing under the subject’s skin and the pained expression on their face and in their eyes tells onlookers that they are conscious and aware of what is happening. Thorns constantly raise and retract along the skin of the humanoid covering them in lacerations and puncture wounds that weep blood. If the source of the sickness can be destroyed the thorn zombie will revert to a normal humanoid. Whether they will survive the cuts and breaks inflicted by the sickness or the mental stress from what they went through is another question.
And here is the Creeping Thron Sickness
Creeping Thorn Sickness
Stage 1 : Incubation Period. No positive or negative effects. After 24 hours in stage 1 the subject will progress to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Disadvantage on all Charisma (Persuasion) checks and Advantage on all Charisma (Intimidation) checks as the vines are visible to observers of the subject as they creep and slither just beneath the skin. After 24 hours in stage 2 the subject will advance to stage 3.
Stage 3 : All of the effects of stage 2 as well as Disadvantage on all Dexterity (Stealth, Acrobatics, and Sleight of Hand) checks as the vines begin to strengthen, making all fine motor functions difficult to perform. After 24 hours in stage 2 the subject will advance to stage 3.
Stage 4 : Upon entering this stage the subject becomes a thorn zombie and is under the control of the DM if a PC.
Notes: The destruction of the source of the Creeping Thorn Sickness will cure all those inflicted with it regardless of which stage of the sickness they are in. Lesser Restoration as well as a Paladin’s Lay on Hands ability can remove it from stage 3 down but a wish spell is needed to remove it from a stage 4 subject while the source is still active.
I would love to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions. My main initial thoughts are wondering if i should increase the DC for contracting the sickness from a thorn zombie as well as decrease the time it takes to move between the stages of the sickness.
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Good Afternoon Everyone,
Hope you are all having a great day.
I was wondering if I could call on the community to assist me in fine-tuning a monster as well as a disease for a level 1-3 module I am working on.
The TL:DR of the story is a druid who is using a tree that has grown from the stake in a vampire to cultivate a poison that she is using to turn a town into zombies.
The creatures which I am calling thorn zombies were meant to be low CR mob-type enemies with a vulnerability to fire as well as blindsight against targets with blood. Not the biggest of hitters but the danger lies in touching them and them touching you which risks the spread of the infection. Used the zombie stat block as my template and worked from there. Should still be a 1/4 CR or possibly a 1/8 CR once they realize the fire vulnerability.
Thorn Zombie
Medium undead
Armor Class 8
Hit Points 20
Speed 20 ft.
STR 14(+2)
DEX 6 (-2)
CON 16(+3)
INT 3(-4)
WIS 6(-2)
CHA 5(-3)
Saving Throws WIS +0
Damage Vulnerability Fire
Condition Immunities Charmed
Senses Blindsight 30 ft. (only works on creatures with blood), Passive Perception 8
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Abrasive Touch: The thorns moving beneath the skin of this undead are a constant threat. The target of a successful grab attack or the successful user of a touch range spell or 5ft range melee attack against the thorn zombie must make a DC 10 Constitution Saving Throw or contract stage 1 of the Creeping Thorn sickness.
Actions
Grab. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage. A successful grab attack also triggers the above Abrasive Touch ability.
Description: This undead is a humanoid who has completely succumbed to the Creeping Thorn Sickness. The vines and thorns have assumed complete control and cause the humanoid to move with a twisting and jerking gait as if it was under the control of something that does not understand how humanoids operate. Vines and roots are visibly writhing under the subject’s skin and the pained expression on their face and in their eyes tells onlookers that they are conscious and aware of what is happening. Thorns constantly raise and retract along the skin of the humanoid covering them in lacerations and puncture wounds that weep blood. If the source of the sickness can be destroyed the thorn zombie will revert to a normal humanoid. Whether they will survive the cuts and breaks inflicted by the sickness or the mental stress from what they went through is another question.
And here is the Creeping Thron Sickness
Creeping Thorn Sickness
Stage 1 : Incubation Period. No positive or negative effects. After 24 hours in stage 1 the subject will progress to Stage 2.
Stage 2 : Disadvantage on all Charisma (Persuasion) checks and Advantage on all Charisma (Intimidation) checks as the vines are visible to observers of the subject as they creep and slither just beneath the skin. After 24 hours in stage 2 the subject will advance to stage 3.
Stage 3 : All of the effects of stage 2 as well as Disadvantage on all Dexterity (Stealth, Acrobatics, and Sleight of Hand) checks as the vines begin to strengthen, making all fine motor functions difficult to perform. After 24 hours in stage 2 the subject will advance to stage 3.
Stage 4 : Upon entering this stage the subject becomes a thorn zombie and is under the control of the DM if a PC.
Notes: The destruction of the source of the Creeping Thorn Sickness will cure all those inflicted with it regardless of which stage of the sickness they are in. Lesser Restoration as well as a Paladin’s Lay on Hands ability can remove it from stage 3 down but a wish spell is needed to remove it from a stage 4 subject while the source is still active.
I would love to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions. My main initial thoughts are wondering if i should increase the DC for contracting the sickness from a thorn zombie as well as decrease the time it takes to move between the stages of the sickness.