Dark creation. At the start of its turn, the Baby Abomination benefits from resistance to all non-magical damage if at least one cultist is actively chanting in its support. If the chanting is disrupted, the Baby Abomination loses access to this feature for the next 24 hours.
Multiattack. The Baby Abomination makes two slam attacks. If both attacks hit a Medium or smaller target, the target is grappled (escape DC 13), and the Baby Abomination uses its Engulf on it.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
Engulf. The Baby Abomination engulfs a Medium or smaller creature grappled by it. The engulfed target is blinded, restrained, and unable to breathe, and must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw at the start of each of the Baby Abomination’s turns or take 9 (2d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage. If the Baby Abomination moves, the engulfed target moves with it. It can have only one creature engulfed at a time.
Description
The Baby Abomination serves as an alternative final boss for the Death House in Curse of Strahd, designed to replace the Shambling Mound, which many DMs find too difficult for low-level parties. The Baby Abomination is surrounded by 7–8 cultist spirits, each using the standard cultist stat block but reduced to 1 HP and limited to a single action: Chant (no attacks or reactions).
These spirits do nothing but chant each round, and their collective chanting sustains the Abomination’s magical defenses granted by the trait Dark creation. As long as at least one cultist is chanting at the start of its turn, the Baby Abomination gains resistance to all non-magical damage. If all cultists are slain or their chanting is otherwise interrupted, the resistance ends and cannot be reactivated for 24 hours. Spells like magic missile are especially effective for quickly eliminating the cultists and stripping the Abomination of its protection.
The Baby Abomination is the disfigured form of Walter, the Durst family’s infant son, twisted into a monster by the cult’s dark rituals. Upon defeat, the creature reverts into a stillborn infant—Walter’s original form. Placing the baby in its crypt lays his spirit to rest.
(Art: Typhoon Devil from Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc)
(Idea: Puffin Forest's Curse of Strahd replay series)
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