Zombie, Smokeplume

Family: Zombies

Large undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 68 (8d10 + 24)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	8 (–1)	16 (+3)	3 (–4)	6 (–2)	5 (–3)

Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages —
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Firesight. The smokeplume zombie can see through areas obscured by fire, smoke, and fog without penalty.
• Smoldering Death. When the zombie dies, its body crumbles into smoldering coals, releasing a great plume of smoke. The smoke fills a 15-foot-radius sphere centered on the zombie’s corpse and spreads around corners. The area is heavily obscured and difficult terrain. When a creature enters the area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there, that creature must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The smoke lasts for 1 minute or until a wind of moderate or greater speed (at least 10 miles per hour) disperses it.
• Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hp, 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 zombie drops to 1 hp instead.
• Undead Nature. The smokeplume zombie doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

ACTIONS

• Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 9 (2d8) fire damage.
• Smoke Breath (Recharge 5–6). The zombie breathes a cloud of smoke in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 9 (2d8) fire damage and 7 (2d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The smoke remains until the start of the zombie’s next turn, and its area is heavily obscured.

ABOUT

The massive zombie appears bloated. Its flesh is hardened into cracked plates of charcoal, and smoke issues from the seams and from its orifices. A heat haze shimmers around it.

Smokeplume zombies have a magical fire raging inside their bellies, scorching their guts and threatening to blow the creature to pieces.

Burning Inside. Powered by the flames of Hell, these zombies periodically howl in rage and pain as they are torn apart from within, belching gouts of acrid smoke. The pressure buildup gives them a bloated appearance and a waddling gait and threatens to burst them at the seams.

Aggressive. Smokeplume zombies are more aggressive than their cousins, simply because their attacks release a portion of the energy stored within, temporarily relieving some of their torment. This stored power becomes a giant cloud of smoke when the zombie dies.

In the Cults. Because of both their aggressive demeanor and unstable nature, cults don’t often use smokeplume zombies near their temples. Rather, they use these zombies as shock troops in large assaults and as weapons of terror against large populations. These zombies aren’t expected to last long.