Dreadclaw

Medium undead, unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 28 (4d8+10)
Speed 50 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
7 (-2) 17 (+3) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 6 (-2)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +5
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Common
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Special Traits

  • Pack Tactics. The dreadclaw has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the dreadclaw’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
  • Pounce. If the dreadclaw moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 8 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the dreadclaw can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
  • Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces a dreadclaw 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, it drops to 1 hit point instead.
  • Undead Nature. Dreadclaws don’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Actions

  • Decaying Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10+4) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with perpetual decay. The cursed target can’t regain hit points until the curse is lifted by the remove curse spell or similar magic, or until it succeeds on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw at the end of a long rest.

About

What the rotkites are for the air so the dreadclaws are for the land-brilliant pack hunters that weave through the shadows around wherever larger undead dinosaur herds and groups travel. Dreadclaws often hide until after a larger predator has begun an attack, striking from shadows that might otherwise have been harmless. In settlements and villages a dreadclaw might try to lure prey by whispering to it from the shadows, beckoning it further and further away from safety and into a carefully planned ambush.

Conjurers of undeath should be wary when empowering the corpse of any bipedal thunder beast predator as when control over one of these undead is lost they rapidly turn upon their former master. At the GM’s discretion, the Wake of Maws undead may have the Turn Resistance trait.

Turn Resistance. The undead has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Vast Kaviya Campaign Setting © 2019 Mike Myler, published under license by Legendary Games; Authors Mike Myler, Andrew Engelbrite, Will Gawned, Alec Kaknes, Anthony Alipio, Sharene Gilchrist, Matteo Piovanelli, Jesse Jordan, GM Lent, Brian Istenes, and Jeremy Esch.