Nachzehrer

Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 12

Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)

Speed 20 ft.

STR 14 (+2) · DEX 14 (+2) · CON 16 (+3) · INT 10 (+0) · WIS 12 (+1) · CHA 14 (+2)

Damage Resistances Necrotic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities Poison

Condition Immunities Poisoned, Exhaustion

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11

Languages Understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak

Challenge 3

Traits

Infectious Miasma. Creatures that start their turn within 15 feet of the Nachzehrer must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of their next turn.

Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the Nachzehrer 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, the Nachzehrer drops to 1 hit point instead.

Actions

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) necrotic damage.

Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature.

Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Reactions

Paralyzing Gaze. When a creature the Nachzehrer can see targets it with an attack, the Nachzehrer can force the attacker to make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is paralyzed until the start of its next turn.

Lore

A corpse that consumes itself in the grave, spreading deadly diseases (notably plague) and draining life force from the living.

The Nachzehrer is often equated with vampires, but in reality, it is a completely different type of creature.

Unlike vampires, the Nachzehrer, according to legends, does not drink the blood of the living but consumes its own dead body while in its grave. Because it eats its own flesh, a diseased environment begins to form, which infects people through the air—usually those living near the cemetery or burial site.

From The Witchwood Bestiary 5E, p. 74 · Fern Flower Press