Bodak
Bodaks are the undead remnants of creatures destroyed by the touch of absolute evil. Bodaks physically resemble the creatures they were in life, although their flesh turns gray and hairless. Their facial expressions are looks of utter horror and convey more than a touch of insanity. They completely lack eyes, instead being replaced with huge, gaping sockets.
Bodaks speak the languages they spoke in life.
"Bodak" is a template that can be added to any corporeal creature of 5 or more Hit Dice except Constructs, Oozes, Plants, and Undead (referred to hereafter as the "base creature"). Creatures with this template have their type changed to Undead. It uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Hit Dice: Change all current and future Hit Dice to d12s.
Speed: -10 ft. (minimum 10 ft), with other movement types unchanged.
AC: The base creature's natural armor increases by +3, to a maximum of 18.
Damage: The base creature's natural and manufactured weapons deal damage normally. If the base creature does not have a better natural attack, it gains a slam attack that deals damage based on the creature's size:
Special Attacks: A bodak retains all the base creature's special attacks and gains those listed below. Saving throws for abilities listed below have a DC of 8 + the bodak's proficiency bonus + the bodak's Charisma modifier, unless noted otherwise in the ability description.
Withering Gaze. Once creature that the bodak can see within 60 feet of it must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.
Special Qualities: A bodak retains the base creature's special qualities and gains those listed below. Saving throws for abilities listed below have a DC of 8 + the bodak's proficiency bonus + the bodak's Charisma modifier, unless noted otherwise in the ability description.
Aura of Annihilation: The bodak can activate or deactive this feature as a bonus action. While active, the aura deals 5 necrotic damage to any creature that ends its turn within 30 feet of the bodak. Undead and Fiends ignore this effect.
Death Gaze: When a creature that can see the bodak's eye sockets starts its turn within 30 feet of the bodak and the bodak isn't and can see the creature, it can force the creature to make a Constitution saving throw. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is reduced to 0 hit points unless it is immune to the Frightened condition. Otherwise, a creature takes 16 (3d10) psychic damage on a failed save.
Unless Surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it is considered Blinded in regards to the bodak until the start of its next turn. If the creature looks at the bodak in the meantime, it must immediately make the saving throw.
Damage Resistance: The Bodak has Resistance 15 to Non-Silvered Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage.
Flashbacks: From time to time, a bodak sees something that reminds it of its almost-forgotten life. At the start of an encounter, there is a 5% chance that it notices something about an opponent (randomly determined, if more than one opponent is present) that causes it to recall its life. If this happens, the bodak takes no actions or movement for 1 round and thereafter has Disadvantage on attack rolls against that target.
Lightning Immunity: Bodaks are immune to Lightning damage.
Sunlight Hypersensitivity: The bodak takes 5 radiant damage when it starts its turn in sunlight. While in sunlight, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
Undead Traits: 
Saves: Same as the base creature.
Abilities: Increase from base creature as follows: +2 Strength, +4 Dexterity, -4 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, and +2 Charisma. Being undead, a bodak has no Constitution score.
Climate/Terrain: Any
Organization: Solitary or gang (1d3+1)
Challenge Rating: Same as base creature +5
Alignment: Always Chaotic Evil.
Creating a Bodak
| Size | Damage |
|---|---|
| Fine | 1d2 |
| Diminutive | 1d3 |
| Tiny | 1d4 |
| Small | 1d6 |
| Medium | 1d8 |
| Large | 2d6 |
| Huge | 2d8 |
| Gargantuan | [td4d6|
| Colossal | 4d8 |
If you're creating a bodak NPC of importance, consider the following possibility instead of having a random 5% chance at the start of every encounter that the creature notices something of its former life. Create a list of up to five triggers that will automatically generate a confusing flashback. Draw them from the background of the NPC. Here are some options:Bodak Flashbacks
Use caution in exercising this option. It can make the fight with the bodak much tougher or easier, depending on which memory triggers you choose.
- A bodak hearing someone speaking the name it had in life.
- A bodak seeing a piece of equipment or clothing it owned in life.
- A barbarian bodak witnessing someone going into a rage.
- A bard bodak hearing someone using bardic inspiration.
- A cleric bodak presented with the holy symbol of the deity it worshipped.
- A druid bodak seeing someone wild shape.
- A fighter bodak witnessing someone use action surge.
- A monk bodak seeing someone use flurry of blows.
- A paladin bodak watching someone use lay on hands.
- A ranger bodak observing someone fight with dual-wielded weapons.
- A rogue bodak witnessing someone tumble to avoid an attack of opportunity.
- A sorcerer bodak seeing someone cast without a clear focus.
- A wizard bodak watching someone cast a spell from a scroll.
This is a rare option
This option requires special permission to take. In the case of spells, psionic powers, and similar options, this option must be found in the world and cannot be taken upon level-up.
This is a stub
This article will be expanded upon in the future
