Ghoul, Darakhul Shadowmancer

Family: Ghouls

Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 52 (8d8 + 16)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	16 (+3)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)	13 (+1)	9 (-1)

Saving Throws Intelligence +6, Wisdom +3
Skills Arcana +6, Deception +1, Investigation +6, Stealth +7
Damage Resistances necrotic
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Umbral
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Special Traits

• Master of Disguise. A darakhul in a prepared disguise has advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks made to pass as a living creature. While using this ability, it loses its Stench.
• Shadow Stealth. While in dim light or darkness, the darakhul shadowmancer can take the Hide action as a bonus action.
• Stench. Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the darakhul must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of its next turn. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the darakhul’s Stench for the next 24 hours. A darakhul shadowmancer using this ability can’t also benefit from Master of Disguise.
• Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the darakhul has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
• Turning Defiance. The darakhul shadowmancer and any ghouls within 30 feet of it have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead.
• Spellcasting. The shadowmancer is a 9th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following wizard spells prepared:
  • Cantrips (at will): acid splash, chill touch, mage hand, mending
  • 1st level (4 slots): mage armor, ray of sickness, silent image
  • 2nd level (3 slots): misty step, scorching ray, see invisibility
  • 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, dispel magic, stinking cloud
  • 4th level (2 slots): arcane eye, black tentacles, confusion
  • 5th level (1 slot): teleportation circle

Actions

• Multiattack. The darakhul shadowmancer makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its dagger.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 11 (2d8 + 2) piercing damage, and, if the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or contract darakhul fever.
• Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.

About

Relishing the darkness feared by others, the shadowmancer’s undeath grants it nothing but time to study its art.

Never Alone. A shadowmancer is rarely encountered alone; it is regularly accompanied by shadow guardians, shadow skeletons, or other horrors.

Frequent Spies. Often called upon by their emperor to serve as spies among the cities of the surface world or as emissaries to the shadow fey, darakhul shadowmancers may be encountered virtually anywhere.

Hungry Dead Nature. The darakhul requires no air or sleep.