Gravebound Curse
1st-level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 minute (curse), zombie duration below
Classes: Warlock, Wizard, Cleric (Death, Grave)
Spell Effect
You curse one creature you can see within range that has a Challenge Rating of 1 or higher. The target must remain within 60 feet of you or the spell immediately ends with no effect.
If the cursed creature is killed within 10 turns (1 minute) of casting this spell, it rises at the end of your next turn as a zombie under your control.
There is no limit to the number of zombies you can control created by this spell.
Zombie Servant
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The zombie obeys all verbal commands you give it.
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It acts immediately after your turn.
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It has half the maximum hit points the creature had in life (rounding down).
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When reduced to 0 hit points, the zombie dies immediately and leaves a corpse.
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The zombie remains under your control for 1 hour, then collapses.
Zombie Attacks
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The zombie’s melee attack deals 1d4 damage.
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For each spell slot level above 1st, the zombie’s damage increases by 1d4
(2nd level = 2d4, 3rd = 3d4, etc.).
⚠️ Necrotic Backlash
Each time you command a zombie to attack, you take 1 necrotic damage.
This damage cannot be reduced or prevented.
Why this still works
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Being 1st level is balanced because:
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You must kill the target first
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CR 1+ blocks weak farming
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Zombies are fragile
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You slowly damage yourself by using them
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Higher slots reward commitment without instant power spikes
If you want next, we can:
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Add a saving throw
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Decide whether zombies last until long rest
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Give the zombie movement speed, AC, and attack bonus
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Turn this into a signature spell named after your character
Just say the word 👹🧟♂️
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