Ghost Dwarf

Family: Ghosts

The spectral visage of a wide-eyed dwarf stares out from the open visor of a suit of black platemail, muttering to itself.

Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 81 (18d8)
Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (-3) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 15 (+2)

Saving Throws Wisdom +5
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages any languages it knew in life
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Special Traits

  • Aura of Defiance. The ghost dwarf and any undead within 10 feet of it have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead.
  • Ethereal Sight. The ghost dwarf can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice versa.
  • Incorporeal Movement. The ghost dwarf can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
  • Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the ghost dwarf has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Actions

  • Multiattack. The ghost dwarf makes three attacks, only one of which can be a hand of the grave attack.
  • Ghostly Axe. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage. A new ghostly axe appears in the ghost dwarf’s hand after it is thrown.
  • Hand of the Grave. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d8) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or its hp maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hp maximum to 0.
  • Prayers Unanswered (Recharge 5-6). The ghost dwarf emits a constant whisper consisting of prayers, pleading, cursing, and cryptic phrases. The volume of the whispering intermittently increases, and those within 30 feet of the ghost dwarf that can hear it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
  • Etherealness. The ghost dwarf enters the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the Material Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa, yet it can’t affect or be affected by anything on the other plane.

About

From Hope to Horror. The risen shades of dwarven paladins and other would-be heroes who made holy war on the undead and lost, the ghost dwarves march by night, sent back to slay those who originally sent them.

Prayers Unanswered. The face of a ghost dwarf stares out from its black helm with a look of sheer terror, desperate and unguarded enough to horrify most dwarves. The echoes of their last words, of oaths in vain and pleadings with their gods, fill the air around them in a chilling whisper.

Instruments of Spite. More powerful undead take great pleasure in sending these shades back against their grieving kin. The ghost dwarves themselves often lead wights and other lesser undead into battle.

Undead Nature. A ghost dwarf doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Creature Codex. © 2018 Open Design LLC; Authors Wolfgang Baur, Dan Dillon, Richard Green, James Haeck, Chris Harris, Jeremy Hochhalter, James Introcaso, Chris Lockey, Shawn Merwin, and Jon Sawatsky.

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