Corpse Mimic. When the Corpse Eater consumes the corpse of a humanoid, it can choose to change its form to mimic the corpse it has consumed. Its statistics, languages, and proficiencies change to match its new form, but its hit points remain the same. Any equipment that is being worn or carried isn't transformed. The Corpse Eater also gains the majority of the person's memories. This transformation lasts for 72 hours if the corpse died within the last hour of being consumed, or 36 hours if the corpse is older. The form also reverts if the Corpse Eater takes 10 damage in a single round. If the Corpse Eater eats a new corpse, they change immediately into the new form.
Surprise Attack. If the Corpse Eater surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an additional 10(3d6) damage from the attack.
Keen Hearing and Smell. The Corpse Eater has advantage on Wisdom(Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Multiattack: The Corpse Eater makes 3 attacks, one with its Bite and two with its Claws. It can then use Deathly Wail.
Bite: Melee weapon attack, +7 to hit, reach 5ft, one target. Hit 11(2d6+4) piercing damage. The target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become Poisoned for 1 hour. While poisoned in this way, the target must reroll the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success, or gaining one level of exhaustion on a failure.
Claw: Melee weapon attack, +7 to hit, reach 5ft, one target. Hit 8(1d8+4) slashing damage.
Deathly Wail: The Corpse Eater perfectly mimics the final words of a humanoid it has consumed within the last week. Each creature that is within 60ft of the Corpse Eater that can hear it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened for 1 minute. A creature that personally knew the humanoid being mimicked has disadvantage on this save. A creature can repeat this save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature succeeds the saving throw or the effect ends for it, that creature is immune to the Corpse Eater's Deathly Wail for the next 24 hours.
Description
Far from simple undead, the Corpse Eater is a stalking shapeshifter that is able to take the form of the last person they have eaten. They set up lairs in the outskirts of poor cities or towns, preying on its citizens until suspicions become too much, and they are forced to move on.
The Corpse Eater is not a strong combatant and will avoid confrontation. Deception and stealth are their primary weapons.
Limited mimic. The time frame on their Corpse Mimic ability means that when it arrives in a new area, the Corpse Eater is usually in their much more horrifying, true form. In order to begin luring people away, the Corpse Eater will usually find the nearest graveyard or crematorium in order to consume their first body and claim their new form. A dug-up grave or missing body is an early sign of such a creature. This also means that once they start feeding, they must continue to do so fairly regularly to maintain a humanoid form.
On the hunt. The creature favors prey that is inherently non-threatening. It likes to lure people into secluded areas, where it can feast uninterrupted. After they consume their first victim, they move on to their victim's friends and family; those who would be most trusting of their new form.
Detecting the copy. The Corpse Eater adopts a perfect copy of its victim, even able to copy mannerisms and speech patterns with unerring accuracy. A DC 20 insight check will reveal to an onlooker that there is something amiss or uncanny about them, but nothing more.
Hidden victims. The Corpse Eater tries as hard as possible to keep these murders hidden, in order to make its disguise more believable. This means that an area with such a creature is often marked more by a string of disappearances rather than murders.
Comments