Monster: Gelatinous Zombie

"Bloated Zombie 2" - Bob Greyvenstein

Gelatinous Zombies are curious and deadly offshoots of traditional zombies. They've gone into a very decompositional state and thus are covered by a highly acidic gelatinous ichor which smells of fishy almonds and not like the normal stench of death, making it harder for adventurers to pinpoint their location. In most cases, their goal is to wrap themselves around their prey and let their undead fluids go to work, dissolving clothing and leather armor with ease and melding with the skin of unarmored individuals which, in turn, transforms that victim into a gelatinous zombie once they die. These bloated, gelatinous undead are quiet as well, in most cases being unable to groan or moan like most zombies do. It's not unheard of for adventurers to be battling a group of normal zombies but then be ambushed by a silent horde of gelatinous zombies they'd not seen nor heard previously.

Quick Aside

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GELATINOUS ZOMBIE

Medium Undead

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Armor Class 10 Hit Points 78 (12d8 + 24) Speed 30 ft. ===============================

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 3 (-4) 6 (-2) 5 (-3)

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Damage Resistances necrotic Damage Immunities poison Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, poisoned Senses darkvision 60', passive Perception 7 Languages understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2

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Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the gelatinous zombie

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 gelatinous zombie drops to

1 hit point instead.

Unusual Nature. The gelatinous zombie doesn't require air, food,

drink, or sleep.

Corrode Metal. Any nonmagical weapon made of metal that hits

the gelatinous zombie corrodes. After dealing damage, the

weapon takes a permanent and cumulative -1 penalty to damage

rolls. If its penalty drops to -5, the weapon is destroyed. Non-

magical ammunition made of metal that hits the gelatinous zombie

is destroyed after dealing damage.

The gelatinous zombie's ichor can eat through 2-inch-thick,

nonmagical metal in 1 round.

Silent but Deadly. The gelatinous zombie has advantage on

Dexterity (Stealth) checks since it is mute and doesn't give

off a putrid stench.

Actions

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Multiattack. The gelatinous zombie makes two Slam attacks.

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

Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic

damage.

Virulent Hug (1/Day). The plague zombie wraps itself against its

victim and releases its acidic ichor. The creature afflicted must

make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) acid

damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a

successful one. A Humanoid reduced to 0 hit points by this

damage dies and rises as a zombie (see its stat block in whatever

bestiary you use in your game) 1 minute later. The zombie acts

immediately after the gelatinous zombie in the initiative count.

We hope you enjoy the Gelatinous Zombie! We think it's a very creepy addition to the ever-growing Headless Hydra Press bestiary. If you like the Gelatinous Zombie, please let us know in the comments! - Joe