Ashcloud

Large undead, neutral evil

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 17 (+3) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 16 (+3)

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 66 (12d10)
Speed fly 30 ft. (hover)
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +6
Damage Resistances lightning, necrotic, thunder
Damage Immunities fire, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, slashing from non-magical weapons
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses blindsight 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Special Traits

  • Cold Vulnerability. The ashcloud has disadvantage on saving throws versus cold, and when it fails a saving throw against a cold spell its movement rate is halved and it suffers disadvantage on attack rolls for a number of rounds equal to the spell slot used. A failed save against a cantrip has no further effect.
  • Cloudform. The ashcloud has all the benefits of a gaseous form spell, although with a flying speed of 30 feet. This ability is intrinsic and cannot be dispelled.
  • Engulf. A creature that begins its turn in the ashcloud’s space takes 18 (4d8) fire damage.
  • Flyby. The ashcloud doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.
  • Smother. Creatures in the ashcloud’s space are blinded and can’t breathe. When the ashcloud ends its turn in another creature’s space, that creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, and on a failure is stunned and begins to suffocate. At the end of its turns it can repeat the saving throw and if successful is no longer stunned. The suffocation only ends when it begins a turn outside of the ashcloud’s space.

Actions

  • Multiattack. The ashcloud makes four burning touch attacks.
  • Burning Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) fire damage. Flammable objects touched by the ashcloud are ignited.
  • Fiery Consummation. The ashcloud consumes the body of a creature it has killed with its smother ability, utterly destroying the body and gaining 1d6 temporary hit points for each Hit Die of the creature. A creature killed this way can only be brought back to life with true resurrection or a wish spell. The ashcloud must occupy the space of the corpse, and undead and constructs are immune.

Tactics

The ashcloud exists to consume the living, and will relentlessly pursue quarry, trying to engulf the slowest of them, however it is intelligent enough to use its flyby to harass more powerful foes, or to flee through narrow gaps if its own existence is threatened. It will often inhabit ruins where it can trap creatures in enclosed spaces. Once it renders a target unconscious it will often remain in place to kill and consume the victim.

Description

Ashclouds resemble dark dust clouds, moving like swarms of malevolent insects. In pitch darkness their heat produces a faint glow.

Dust to Dust. A scourge to all, these undead roam deserts and blighted wastelands, sometimes carried along by sandstorms, hunting all living creatures regardless of race or allegiance. The ashcloud’s physical form is seemingly composed of hot, burning ash, and as such it is nearly invulnerable to damage. It attacks either by enveloping a victim, burning and suffocating it to death, or by lashing out with hot tendrils of fiery ash.

Fiery Furnace. The most frightening aspect of the ashcloud is its horrifying ability to incinerate and feed upon the souls of its victims, leaving behind nothing but wisps of ash. A creature killed this way can not be brought back to life with anything but the most powerful of magic.

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