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Returning 35 results for 'undead arcana'.
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undead arcane
undead arcanum
Magic Items
Tales from the Yawning Portal
DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana or History) check, the character recalls lore that says the duergar made several such whistles for various groups in an age past.
If you blow the whistle in darkness or
the surface to serve you. Once the whistle has animated an undead creature, it can’t do so again until 7 days have passed.
Once every 24 hours, you can blow the whistle to reassert control over one or two creatures you animated with it.
Magic Items
Tomb of Annihilation
known on many worlds as a sign of death.
Beneficial Properties. While the staff is on your person, you gain the following benefits:
Your proficiency bonus to Intelligence (Arcana) and Intelligence
(History) checks is doubled.
You can’t be blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, petrified, or stunned.
Undead with a challenge rating of 2 or lower will neither threaten nor attack you unless
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Religion Construct Arcana Dragon Arcana, History, or Nature Elemental Arcana or Nature Fey Arcana or Nature Fiend Arcana or Religion Giant History Humanoid History Monstrosity Nature or Survival Ooze Arcana or Survival Plant Nature or Survival Undead Arcana or Religion
a relevant ability check equals 10 + the creature’s challenge rating. Monster Research Type Suggested Skills Aberration Arcana Beast Animal Handling, Nature, or Survival Celestial Arcana or
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sage Advice & Errata
Lich (p. 202) Disrupt Life: “living creature” is now “non-undead creature.” Skills: Arcana +19 [was +18].
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Unearthed Arcana
Horror Subclasses May 6, 2025
Scream! … for joy with this new Unearthed Arcana document in which we explore horror themed subclasses using the rules from the 2024 Player’s Handbook. This playtest
document presents revised subclasses for the Bard (College of Spirits), Cleric (Grave Domain), Rogue (Phantom), Sorcerer (Shadow Sorcery), and Warlock (Hexblade Patron and Undead Patron) as well as new subclasses for the Artificer (Reanimator) and Ranger (Hollow Warden).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn
about it. The Areas of Knowledge table suggests which skills are applicable to various areas of knowledge. Areas of Knowledge Skill Areas Arcana Spells, magic items, eldritch symbols, magical
(Giants and Humanoids) Investigation Traps, ciphers, riddles, and gadgetry Nature Terrain, flora, weather, and certain creatures (Beasts, Dragons, Oozes, and Plants) Religion Deities, religious hierarchies and rites, holy symbols, cults, and certain creatures (Celestials, Fiends, and Undead)
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook
about it. The Areas of Knowledge table suggests which skills are applicable to various areas of knowledge. Areas of Knowledge Skill Areas Arcana Spells, magic items, eldritch symbols, magical
(Giants and Humanoids) Investigation Traps, ciphers, riddles, and gadgetry Nature Terrain, flora, weather, and certain creatures (Beasts, Dragons, Oozes, and Plants) Religion Deities, religious hierarchies and rites, holy symbols, cults, and certain creatures (Celestials, Fiends, and Undead)
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal
Necromancer Necromancers are specialist wizards who study the interaction of life, death, and undeath. Some like to dig up corpses to create undead thralls. A few use their powers for good, becoming
hunters of the undead and risking their lives to save others. Necromancer Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 66 (12d8 + 12)
Speed 30 ft
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->D&D Beyond Basic Rules
about it. The Areas of Knowledge table suggests which skills are applicable to various areas of knowledge. Areas of Knowledge Skill Areas Arcana Spells, magic items, eldritch symbols, magical
(Giants and Humanoids) Investigation Traps, ciphers, riddles, and gadgetry Nature Terrain, flora, weather, and certain creatures (Beasts, Dragons, Oozes, and Plants) Religion Deities, religious hierarchies and rites, holy symbols, cults, and certain creatures (Celestials, Fiends, and Undead)
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Astarion's Book of Hungers
Vampire Infernalist Vampire Arcanist of the Nine Hells Habitat: Planar (Nine Hells), Underdark, Urban; Treasure: Arcana While mortal wizards tend to hesitate before bartering their souls to devils
undead aren’t immune to the laws of the Nine Hells. The greatest hell-bound vampires are masters of hellfire called infernalists, who prey on mages. Vampire infernalists are usually too arrogant to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Skeletal Alchemist This undead retains enough of its former self to continue its alchemical work, often on behalf of necromancers or other sinister patrons. It toils in a dark laboratory (such as the
one found in The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh), often falling dormant for long periods of time. Skeletal Alchemist
Medium undead, lawful evil
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 32 (5d8 + 10)
Speed 30
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin
wizards or collaborate with colleagues to create new spells. Necromancers study the interaction of life, death, and undeath. Some necromancers dig up or purchase corpses to create Undead servitors. A
few instead use their powers for good, hunting Undead. “Life and death is a fascinating cycle, don’t you think? So many secrets to uncover. So much power to be had—as long as one has a strong stomach
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal
Deathlock Wight In Dead in Thay, two kinds of wights serve the Red Wizards as guards and workers. The deathlock wight resembles a normal wight, except that its undead form courses with dark magic
. Undead Nature. A wight doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep. Deathlock Wight Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 37 (5d8 + 15)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
11
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh
contains the souls of murder victims whose bodies were thrown into the sea. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check reveals that this mist is ghost fog. The souls of the dead want the living to join them
specter that is hostile toward all creatures that aren’t undead. All non-undead creatures immersed in ghost fog are vulnerable to necrotic damage. Shadowfell Fog Shadowfell fog seeps into the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
magic spell reveals a strong aura of necromancy magic around the circle. A character who studies the circle and succeeds on a DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check can ascertain its properties. The check
is made with advantage if the character is a wizard whose arcane tradition is the School of Necromancy. Any skeleton or corpse animated inside the circle becomes an undead with hit points equal to
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention
the area. As the characters explore, they fall prey to the undead present here (see “Undead Forces”).
Map 3: Dumathoin’s Gulch View Player Version
Cliffs The gulch walls are uneven and
key that must be used to wind the grenade before it can be activated (see the “Gnomengarde Grenade” sidebar for more information). Dabbledob is frozen with fear and is unable to act until the undead
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake
Deathlock Mastermind Deathlock Mastermind
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (16 with mage armor)
Hit Points 110 (20d8 + 20)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
11(+0)
DEX
16(+3)
CON
12(+1)
INT
15(+2)
WIS
12(+1)
CHA
17(+3)
Saving Throws Int +5, Cha +6
Skills Arcana +5, History +5, Perception +4
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
warlock who fails to live up to a bargain with an evil patron runs the risk of rising from the dead as a deathlock, a foul Undead driven to serve its otherworldly patron. An powerful necromancer might
might be forced to serve another powerful creature or might need to gather servants of its own. Deathlock
Medium Undead (Warlock), Typically Neutral Evil
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal
runes. If a character succeeds on a DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana or History) check, the character recalls lore that says the duergar made several such whistles for various groups in an age past. If you
takes 1 minute to claw its way to the surface to serve you. Once the whistle has animated an undead creature, it can’t do so again until 7 days have passed. Once every 24 hours, you can blow the whistle to reassert control over one or two creatures you animated with it. The Sunless Citadel
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal->a5
takes 9 (2d8) necrotic damage. A creature in a dark pool can’t regain hit points. Pedestals. The 3-foot-high pedestals store radiant energy, which is released in the presence of undead intruders. If an
undead creature other than Kazit Gul ends its turn within 5 feet of a pedestal, the creature must succeed on a DC 13 Charisma saving throw or take 11 (2d10) radiant damage. Rubble Piles. Along the edge
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated
start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. Light ’Em Up. Any character who witnesses the effects the lens’s shadow has on the undead can attempt a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) check to
carved into the lens with a successful DC 12 Intelligence (Arcana) check. (The passphrase is automatically learned if the lens was initially assessed with identify. Undead creatures can activate the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual (2014)
Flameskull Blazing green flames and mad, echoing laughter follow a disembodied skull as it patrols its demesne. When the undead flameskull discovers trespassers, it blasts the intruders with fiery
, it is but an echo of its former self. However, its undead transformation grants it full access to the magic it wielded in life, letting it cast spells while ignoring the material and somatic
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus
fight, but the characters might have a trick up their collective sleeves. Holy Runes Any character trained in Arcana, History, or Religion recognizes that the runes etched into the stonework of each
bridge can be activated to produce a radiant energy harmful to fiends and undead. A character touching the bridge who succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (Religion) check as an action can speak the proper
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
warlock who fails to live up to a bargain with an evil patron runs the risk of rising from the dead as a deathlock, a foul undead driven to serve its otherworldly patron from beyond the grave. An
world. Undead Nature. A deathlock doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep. Deathlock
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 36 (8d8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
Orcus Orcus is the Demon Prince of Undeath, also known as the Blood Lord. While he takes pleasure in the sufferings of the living, he far prefers the company and service of Undead. His desire is to
see all life quenched and the multiverse transformed into a vast necropolis populated solely by Undead creatures under his command. Orcus rewards those who spread death in his name by granting them a
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft
these books gains advantage on their next Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) check related to the undead or the history of the House of Lament. These books can also be used to identify the Mark of the Raven, the symbol of the god Ezra, and the symbol of the priests of Osybus (see chapter 3).
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver
undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 40 (9d4 + 18)
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft.
STR
1 (−5)
DEX
17 (+3)
CON
14 (+2)
INT
16 (+3)
WIS
10 (+0
)
CHA
11 (+0)
Skills Arcana +5, Perception +2
Damage Resistances lightning, necrotic, piercing
Damage Immunities cold, fire, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
necromancers. Deathlock Wight
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 37 (5d8 + 15)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
11(+0)
DEX
14(+2)
CON
16(+3)
INT
12(+1)
WIS
14(+2)
CHA
16(+3)
Saving Throws Wis +4
Skills Arcana +3, Perception +4
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Monster Manual
attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.
Flameskull Skull Smoldering with Magical Obsession
Habitat: Underdark; Treasure: Arcana
Flameskulls are flying skulls that blaze with magical
fire and the half-remembered arcana of dead spellcasters. They rise from the remains of dead magic-users who were reanimated by sinister necromancers or whose magical pursuits drive them beyond death
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
and over the rotting flesh to hold the body together. Undead Nature. The lich doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep. STORREV
Storrev is a lich and a leader of the Erstwhile. She is adept at
the politics of court, and she is feared for her power to transform dead monsters, from ordinary beetles to the mightiest wurms, into fierce undead horrors. Such creatures accompany her into battle
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tales from the Yawning Portal
who discover his quarters are set upon by the lich and his dread warrior guards, but if Var is brought to the brink of death, he might bargain for a chance to escape the dungeon. Undead Nature. A lich
doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep. Tarul Var Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 105 (14d8 + 42)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
11 (+0)
DEX
16 (+3)
CON
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Candlekeep Mysteries
Xanthoria learn the following additional information: Xanthoria was fearful of a surge in undead invading the forest near her home in the Lykortha Expanse, a cave complex. She was seeking a way to stop their
spread and preserve what she viewed as the natural order of things. Most of the book discusses healthy symbiotic relationships in nature. The author spent time researching undead in the hope of
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things
and faced the avatar of death, Aleron came to his ally’s aid. A second avatar of death appeared, and Aleron was slain; soon after, his Undead corpse crawled from Withered Vineyard, tainted with plague
. Aleron resents his fellow Undead in the Grim Harrow, considering himself better than all of them and unjustly condemned to the Gardens of Decay for an act of altruism. Though the weakest of the
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss
Arcana +12, Perception +12
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing that is nonmagical
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion
holding the wand, Orcus can use an action to conjure undead creatures whose combined average hit points don’t exceed 500. These undead magically rise up from the ground or otherwise form in unoccupied
Compendium
- Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
+13
Skills Arcana +12, Perception +12
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing that is nonmagical
Condition Immunities
dawn.
While holding the wand, Orcus can use an action to conjure undead creatures whose combined average hit points don’t exceed 500. These undead magically rise up from the ground or otherwise form in