Grave Devils
Grave devils have unique role in the infernal hierarchy thanks to their ability to borrow corrupted souls to create powerful undead minions. Instead of relying on magical contracts to claim souls, they have developed an infernal variant of necromancy to capture souls.
Opportunity in Destruction
Grave devils are wily opportunists that can be found operating at the fringes of any large-scale infernal operation. These devils are typically attracted to regions of rampant violence and destruction to claim the souls of the dying. They are also known to be the primary instigators behind various infernal cults, urging their followers to commit murderous sprees of violence. Such cults can be characterized by necromantic rituals and infernal sacrifices.
Infernal Necromancy
Thanks to their infernal necromancy, they are able to raise their targets from the dead. Before a mortal’s soul is sent to the Nine Hells, the grave devil has the ability to temporarily bind it to its service as a zombie or skeleton. However, their necromantic magic is far from conventional as their inevitable fate to the Nine Hells enables the grave devil to infuse them with infernal magics making them far more powerful than their base undead form.
However, this form of necromancy has its disadvantages as well. Due to the nature of corrupting and binding a dead soul, the devil is only able to take the souls of creatures that have died within the past day. After that time has passed, the devil's connection to that soul is too weak to snare it from higher powers that seek to take the soul to its destination in the afterlife.
Soul Traders
Grave devils can often be found with a small entourage of zombies and skeletons at their command. While in the Nine Hells, they often exchange their undead minions to other fiends who then convert the undead souls to become lemures. Due to the market for souls, grave devils can be found traveling across the Material Plane in search for more souls.
Battle Tactics
In combat, grave devils are opportunistic strategists that target the weakest opponent while using its minions to wear down powerful opponents. They prefer to be ranged combatants flinging fiery soul fragments on their foes. They are typically accompanied by a small squad of undead to protect them from harm but if needed, they have the ability to unleash powerful spells that hurl hellfire at their opponents.
Grave Devil Contracts
As with any devil, grave devils will attempt to claim the soul of a mortal in exchange for a boon. If a grave devil manages to forge a contract an adventurer, that creature gains the following benefits as part of this contract:
Contract Boons
Undead Fortitude You gain resistance to necrotic damage. Whenever you are reduced to 0 hitpoints, you can make a Constitution saving throw equal to half the damage dealt (minimum of 10). On a successful saving throw, you regain 1 hitpoint. You cannot benefit from this feature if you take radiant damage. You can benefit from this feature once per short or long rest.
Infernal Undead Any undead under your control gain resistance to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. It also has immunity to fire, poison, and necrotic damage.
Grave Magic You can cast the Toll the Dead spell as a cantrip. You can cast Animate Dead spell as a 3rd-level spell, Negative Energy Flood as a 5th level spell once each without spending a spell slot and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. You can use your choice of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Grave Devil
Medium fiend (devil), lawful evil
- Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 127(15d8+60)
- Speed 30ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 18(+4) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)
- Skills Perception +6
- Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non-magical attacks
- Damage Immunities Fire, Necrotic, Poison
- Condition Immunities Poisoned
- Senses darkvision 120ft., passive Perception 16
- Languages Infernal, telepathy 120ft.
- Proficiency Bonus +4
- Challenge 9 (5000 xp)
Devil Sight The grave devil's vision is not obscured by magical darkness.
Infernal Necromancy Undead raised by the devil gains the same resistances and immunities as the grave devil. However, undead raised in this manner cannot be dead more than 1 day.
Magic Resistance The grave devil has advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.
Soul Sight The grave devil can pinpoint the location of a living or undead creature within 120ft. of it
Undead Fortitude When the grave devil is reduced to 0 hitpoints, it can make a Constitution saving throw equal to half the damage dealt (minimum of 10). On a successful saving throw, the grave devil regains 1 hitpoint. The grave devil cannot benefit from this feature if it takes radiant damage.
Innate Spellcasting
The grave devil's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). The grave devil can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components
- At will Animate Dead, Speak with Dead
- 3/day each Fireball, Negative Energy Flood
- 1/day each Create Undead, Finger of Death
Actions
Multiattack. The grave devil can make two attacks with its choice of Soul Fire Orbs or its claws
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, 5ft., one target. Hit 8(1d8+4) slashing damage +9(2d8) necrotic damage. On a hit, the target cannot regain hitpoints until the end of its next turn.
Soulfire Orbs Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, 120ft., one target. Hit 13(2d8+4)fire damage +9(2d8) necrotic damage. If this attack reduces a creature to 0 hitpoints, the target is immediately killed.
Bonus Actions
Soul Harvest The grave devil can force one creature with 0 hitpoints it can see within 30ft. of it to make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the target is immediately killed as the grave devil claims its soul. Creature's slain in this manner cannot be resurrected by any means unless the grave devil is killed, a grave devil relinquishes the soul, or a Wish spell.
Soul Binder The grave devil can cast Animate Dead as a bonus action
Undead Strike The grave devil can command an undead under its control to move up to half its movement speed and make a weapon attack against a creature within range.