Necrotic Plague Zombie

Necrotic Plague Zombie CR: 1

Medium undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class: 10

Hit Points: 22 2d8+9

Speed: 20 ft

STR

14 +2

DEX

6 -2

CON

16 +3

INT

3 -4

WIS

6 -2

CHA

5 -3

Saving Throws: Wiz +0

Damage Immunities: Poison

Condition Immunities: Poison

Senses: Darkvision 60ft, passive Perception 8

Languages: Understands all languages it knew in life but doesn't speak

Challenge Rating: 1

Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit points, it must take 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 zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.
Disease Carrier. Each time the zombie makes a successful Bite attack, the victim must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or become infected. On a success, nothing happens. If failed, the victim contracts the Necrotic Plague. Over the next few days, the victim cannot get any benefit from a long rest, and gains one level of exhaustion instead, and they take [roll1d4] poison damage to their Constitution. If the victim gains full exhaustion or the Constitution drops to zero (whichever comes first), the victim dies and rises as a new Necrotic Plague Zombie in 1d4 hours. A Mass Heal, True Resurrection or Wish spell is the only way to cure this at this point.

Actions

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack +3 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit 4 1d6+1 bludgeoning damage. On a critical roll to hit, the zombie can try to grapple as well, requiring a DC 12 Strength roll to escape. If failed, the opponent is grappled, and can make the save at the start of their next turn, and every round until successful.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack +1 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit 4 1d6+1 piercing damage. If the opponent is grappled, this is made on a +3 to hit instead.

Necrotic Plague Zombies are undead remains left after an outbreak of the Necrotic Plague. They roam looking foe people to eat, though get no nourishment from doing so. Though slow & uncoordinated they usually attack in numbers, and seem to be able to tell who is infected and who is not. a few backwards settlements have been overrun by them here and there but nothing further. Many scholars think that the disease burns out quickly, and in many cases they think both the disease and the infected prefer hot humid conditions. This would explain why so many outbreaks are limited, at least the more north people go. Others have noticed that destroying the brain of a Necrotic Plague Zombie kills it outright.

Suggested Environments

Any settle has the capacity for this type of outbreak, and creatures.

Related Organizations

• The Necrocult