Create Undead Servant

You animate a dead creature, imbuing it with a semblance of life to serve you for a limited time. The process infuses the corpse with necromantic energy, knitting together its decayed flesh and bone into a functional form. As the magic takes hold, the creature's appearance begins to shift, reflecting its previous life. It may regain some semblance of its former vitality, albeit in a twisted and unnatural manner.

The statistics of the undead servant are determined by the condition of the corpse used in the ritual. A relatively intact corpse may yield a more powerful servant. The undead servant is friendly to you and your allies and obeys your verbal commands. It cannot attack but can perform tasks such as fetching items, cleaning, mending, or providing other forms of assistance.

Special Traits:

• Obedient Servant: The undead servant understands any languages you speak.
• Non-Combatant: The servant cannot attack but can perform various tasks.
• Bonus Action Command: Once per turn, you may use a bonus action to direct the undead servant to perform a task.
• Limited Range: The servant must remain within 60 feet of you. If it moves beyond this range, it collapses into a lifeless heap and the spell ends.

Higher Level Casting:

When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the duration increases by 2 hours for each slot level above 4th.

Command Options:

• Spy: The servant spies on a single creature, observing it from a hidden location until recalled or the spell ends.
• Defend: As a reaction when you are attacked, you can command the servant to intercept the attack, becoming the target instead.
• Intimidate: As a bonus action, the servant attempts to frighten a target creature, which must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or become frightened of you and the servant for 1 minute.
• Assist: As a bonus action, the servant aids an ally within range. The ally gains advantage on their next ability check.
• Retrieve: As a bonus action, the servant retrieves an item within range and brings it to you.

NPC Consequences:

Upon the spell's end, regardless of the variant used, the undead servant retains a semblance of free will and becomes an NPC under the DM's control, lacking memories of its past life. Depending on the treatment of the caster and their companions, as well as the experiences it had during its time as an undead servant, the former undead servant may decide to stay in the company of the caster and their companions or leave to an unknown future. Each variant might react differently based on its inherent nature:

Undead Servant Variants:

Zombie Variant:

• Appearance: The zombie variant is a grotesque, decayed version of its former self. Its flesh is mottled and sagging, with patches of skin missing and bone visible in places. The eyes are sunken and dull, with a faint, unsettling glow. It moves with a shambling gait, often leaving a trail of decay in its wake.
• Description: The zombie variant is a reanimated corpse driven by base instincts and a basic drive to follow commands. It retains the physical form of its previous life, albeit with significant decay and a lack of intelligence.
• Behavior: This variant is primarily motivated by a simple sense of belonging or the familiarity of its surroundings. It might stay with the party if it feels protected or integrated into the group, but its lack of intelligence means it could easily wander off if it becomes disoriented or if it finds no comfort in the party's presence.
• Potential Evolution: Over time, the zombie variant may develop a rudimentary sense of attachment to the party if consistently treated with kindness. Conversely, if neglected or mistreated, it might become increasingly erratic, potentially posing a danger if its instincts drive it to act out.

Ghost Variant:

• Appearance: The ghost variant appears as a translucent, ethereal figure, with faintly glowing eyes and an otherworldly, mist-like form. Its appearance is often a hazy reflection of its former self, with shifting features and a sense of fluidity that defies physical form.
• Description: The ghost variant is a spectral form of the undead servant, retaining its previous life’s memories and emotions in an ethereal, disembodied state. It manifests as a semi-transparent figure that floats above the ground.
• Behavior: With its detached and introspective nature, the ghost may be inclined to explore its newfound freedom, seeking to understand its existence or uncover secrets from its past life. It might leave the party to pursue its own interests or quest for answers. However, if it forms a strong emotional bond with the party or feels indebted to the caster, it could choose to stay, offering its spectral abilities to aid the party in unique ways.
• Potential Evolution: The ghost variant’s loyalty is more flexible compared to others. It might develop a stronger sense of connection with the party if treated with empathy or might become increasingly distant if it feels neglected or unsupported.

Vampire Variant:

• Appearance: The vampire variant retains a regal and alluring appearance, with a semblance of vitality despite its undead nature. Its skin is pale but smooth, and it has an almost predatory elegance in its movements. Its eyes are sharp and captivating, often with a sinister glint.
• Description: The vampire variant retains its intelligence, charisma, and cunning from its past life, now manifested in its undead form. This variant exudes an aura of charm and menace, its appearance often refined and alluring despite its undead nature.
• Behavior: Driven by its own ambitions, the vampire variant may use its position to manipulate the party for personal gain or to further its own goals. It might seek to influence events to satisfy its desires or consolidate power. Alternatively, if it sees genuine value in the companionship or has formed genuine connections with the party, it could choose to stay, potentially offering its unique skills and knowledge.
• Potential Evolution: The vampire variant’s motives and behavior can shift based on interactions with the party. It might become a formidable ally if it finds mutual benefit or a dangerous adversary if it perceives an opportunity for personal advancement.

Ghoul Variant:

• Appearance: The ghoul variant is a horrifying sight, with emaciated, skeletal features and a hunger-driven, ravenous look. Its skin is stretched tightly over its bones, and it has a ghastly, sickly pallor. Its eyes are wild and filled with a predatory glint, and it moves with a jerky, unsettling motion.
• Description: The ghoul variant is a ravenous and macabre creature driven by a relentless hunger for flesh and an obsession with death. Its appearance is grotesque, with decomposed flesh and a gaunt, hungry visage.
• Behavior: This variant’s primary concern is sustenance and the macabre aspects of existence. It might stay with the party if it finds them to be a reliable source of nourishment or if it feels secure within their protection. However, its loyalty is tenuous, as it could abandon the group in pursuit of a chance to feed or to satisfy its primal urges.
• Potential Evolution: The ghoul variant may develop a more stable attachment to the party if it feels consistently cared for or protected. Conversely, if it is frequently exposed to danger or deprived of sustenance, it might become increasingly unstable or erratic, potentially causing problems for the party.

Undead Servant Stat Sheets:

These variants serve as examples of their respective states but remain fluid in nature, subject to transformation based on various factors. Such factors include the gradual resurgence of memories and abilities from their past lives, the conclusion of the spell's influence, and the myriad experiences encountered throughout their journey. This is also at the discretion of the Dungeon Master.

Zombie Variant (4th level)
Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class: 8 + the level of the spell (natural armor)
Hit Points: 30 + 10 for each level of the spell above 4th
Speed: 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
13 (+1)	6 (-2)	16 (+3)	3 (-4)	6 (-2)	5 (-3)

Damage Immunities: necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities: exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages: understands the languages of its creator and one language it had known in life
Proficiency Bonus: equals your bonus

Special Traits:

• Undead Fortitude: If damage reduces the undead servant 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 undead servant drops to 1 hit point instead.
• Turn Resistance: The zombie variant undead servant has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
• Limited Service: The undead servant is under the caster's command for the duration of the spell, obeying verbal commands given by the caster. It can perform tasks but cannot attack.

Actions:

• Shamble: The zombie variant undead servant moves up to its speed toward a target creature or object within 30 feet of it. If the creature or object is within reach at the end of the movement, the zombie variant undead servant makes a slam attack against it.
• Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage.