Medium undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class: 17 (Half-Plate Armor)

Hit Points: 40 (9d8)

Speed: 30 ft

STR

18 +4

DEX

17 +3

CON

10 +0

INT

12 +1

WIS

15 +2

CHA

13 +1

Saving Throws: Constitution +3

Skills: Animal Handling +5, Athletics +7, Perception +5, Stealth +6

Damage Resistances: Necrotic

Damage Immunities: Poison

Condition Immunities: Charmed, Exhaustion, Poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 60', Passive Perception 15

Languages: Any languages it knew in life

Challenge Rating: 5 ( 1800 XP)

Proficiency Bonus: +3

Actions

Multiattack. When the ghoul lord takes the attack action, it can either make two greatsword attacks or two claw attacks.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, 5' reach, one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing attack. If the targeted creature is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or be infected with the magical disease known as Ravenous Fever which has the following effects:

• An infected creature must consume raw meat every day, initially satisfied with meat from any source. However, after 8 (1d12 + 2) days, the infected creature becomes a cannibal & it is only satisfied with the flesh of other humanoids.

• The infected creature can attempt to resist the urge to eat raw meat with a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw. On a success, the infected creature resists the urge. On a failure, the infected creature takes a level of exhaustion & must consume raw meat.

• If an infected creature is reduced to 0 HP, it dies & rises as a ghoul within 3 (1d6) days of its death.

Claw. Weapon Melee Attack: +7 to hit, 5' reach, one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Constructs and undead creatures are immune to the affect.

Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, 5' reach, one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage, & the target's speed is reduced by 10' until the start of the ghoul lord's next turn.

Spawn Ghouls (Recharge 5-6). The ghoul lord can transform the recently deceased into ghouls. The corpse of any humanoid creature that the ghoul lord has killed or has died while infected with ravenous fever can be transformed into a ghoul. The ghoul spawned with this feature is under the control of the ghoul lord, sharing a telepathic link that allows it to recieve orders.

Reactions

Parry. The ghoul lord adds 3 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the ghoul lord must see the attacker & be wielding a melee weapon.

Suggested Environments

Swamp, Underdark, Urban