Forsaken Priest

Medium undead, lawful evil

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) 11 (+0) 24 (+7) 15 (+2)

Armor Class 17 (breastplate, shield)
Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Wisdom +12, Charisma +7
Skills Perception +12, Persuasion +7, Religion +5
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison, psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 22
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)

Special Traits

  • Acolytes. The forsaken priest has 2d4 + 2 acolytes with it at any time. On each of its turns, the forsaken priest can order one acolyte to take its turn immediately after the priest. The acolytes will fight to the death for the priest.
  • Spellcasting. The forsaken priest is a 9th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 20, +12 to hit with spell attacks). It requires no material components to cast its spells. The forsaken priest has the following cleric spells prepared:
  • Unhallowed. If damage would reduce the unhallowed to 0 hit points and it is not on holy ground, or has not had its true name and secret revealed, the unhallowed is reduced to 1 hit point instead.
  • Unholy Eminence. As a bonus action, the forsaken priest can expend a spell slot to cause its melee weapon attacks to magically deal an extra 10 (3d6) necrotic damage to a target on a hit. This benefit lasts until the end of the turn. If the priest expends a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 1st.

Actions

  • Multiattack. The forsaken priest makes two attacks with its mace.
  • Mace. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

Tactics

The forsaken priest relies on its acolytes for initial defense, then might use animate dead to gain additional use from them. It will support the acolytes with bane, bless, and inflict wounds. If it gets into melee combat, it will use its unholy eminence to strengthen its mace attacks.

Description

There is no greater crime in the eyes of the gods than perfidy, when a priest forsakes their vows of obedience and uses their influence to lead innocent members of the faith down paths of corruption and iniquity. The forsaken priest is a creature who betrayed the highest principles of its patron deity and became a force of malevolence and temptation to any soul caught in its clutches. In appearance, it appears almost lifelike, but with its skin drawn taught over its bones. It still wears the vestments and symbols of its former office, but any holy power it had has long ago withered away, replaced by darker energies.

Inspiring Words. The creature appears to the uninitiated as a grand and dignified figure whose wisdom is vast and beyond reproach. It is always eager to lend an ear and offer advice, sowing seeds that will later blossom into poisonous thoughts and deeds. The forsaken priest inspires acts of brutality and greed wherever it goes.

Acolytes and Supporters. The false priest surrounds itself with fanatical acolytes and supporters who defend it with their lives. Few of them are truly evil – most are victims of the creature’s manipulations.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Creature Collection 5e Copyright 2020 Onyx Path Publishing, Inc.