Dwarf Plague-Host

Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 157 (15d8 + 90)
Speed 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	6 (-2)	22 (+6)	2 (-4)	12 (+1)	1 (-5)

Saving Throws Con +10, Wis +5
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages understands the languages it knew in life, but can’t speak
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Special Traits

• Cadaverous Appearance. While the plague-host is lying still, it is indistinguishable from a mundane decomposing corpse. It can still be detected by a detect evil and good spell, or similar magic.
• Dwarven Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the plague-host 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 plague-host drops to 1 hit point instead. On a failure it is not immediately destroyed, but falls prone and remains conscious. While it has 0 hit points, the plague-host can’t regain any hit points, automatically fails any saving throws, and dies if it suffers a single hit that deals 5 or more damage. At the end of its next turn, the plague-host dies.

Actions

• Multiattack. The plague-host makes two slam attacks. If it is grappling a creature, it then makes a bite attack.
• Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 12). Until this grapple ends, the plague-host can’t use its slam against another target.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature the plague-host is grappling. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage. Additionally, living creatures must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw, or take 9 (2d8) necrotic damage and contract the zombie necrosis disease (p.192).
• Pestilent Discharge (Recharge 5-6). The plague-host spews a mix of infectious fluids in a 15-foot cone. Living creatures in the area must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw, taking 13 (3d8) necrotic damage and contracting the zombie necrosis disease (p.192) on a failed save, or taking half as much damage on a successful one. Creatures immune to the poisoned condition are immune to this disease. Until the end of its next turn, the plaguehost’s melee weapon attacks deal an additional 4 (1d8) necrotic damage, and creatures have disadvantage on Constitution saving throws against disease inflicted by the plague-host’s bite.

Legendary Actions

The plague-host can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The plaguehost regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Lurch. The plague-host moves up to 5 feet, without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The plague-host makes one slam or bite attack.

About

Combining the inherent toughness of a dwarf with the tenacity of their undead form, dwarf zombies are incredibly difficult to kill.