Ghast

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Ghast Introduction

In the dim, flickering light of your torches, a foul stench assaults your senses, a nauseating blend of decay and corruption that clings to the air like a malevolent fog. This is the unmistakable herald of the ghast, a creature that lurks in the shadows of forgotten crypts and desolate graveyards, where the veil between life and death is perilously thin. As your eyes adjust to the gloom, you catch sight of its form—a twisted parody of the living, with pallid, leathery skin stretched taut over emaciated limbs, and eyes that burn with a malevolent hunger.

The ghast moves with an unsettling grace, its long, clawed fingers twitching in anticipation of the feast it craves. Its mouth, a grotesque maw filled with jagged teeth, hangs open in a perpetual snarl, dripping with the foul ichor of its last meal. This creature is no mere scavenger; it is a predator of the night, driven by an insatiable hunger for the flesh of the living. Its presence is a blight upon the land, a reminder of the dark forces that linger just beyond the edge of the firelight.

Legends speak of the ghast as a creature born from the darkest of necromantic rituals, a once-human soul twisted and corrupted by the foul energies of undeath. It is said that those who fall victim to its ravenous hunger may rise again as ghouls, cursed to wander the earth in eternal servitude to their ghastly master. In the hushed whispers of taverns and the scribbled notes of ancient tomes, tales of the ghast serve as a grim warning to those who would dare to disturb the sanctity of the dead.

In the depths of the abandoned catacombs, where the air is thick with the scent of mold and the silence is broken only by the distant drip of water, the ghast makes its lair. Here, among the crumbling bones and forgotten relics of the past, it waits with patient malice for the unwary adventurer to stumble into its domain. Beware, for in this place of shadows and echoes, the ghast is the undisputed ruler, and those who cross its path may find themselves ensnared in a nightmare from which there is no escape.

Ghast Skills & Traits

Skills

• Stealth +3
• Perception +2

Senses

• Darkvision 60 ft.
• Passive Perception 12

Languages

• Understands Common and the languages it knew in life but can't speak

Abilities

• Stench: Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the ghast must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of its next turn. On a successful saving throw, the creature is immune to the ghast's Stench for 24 hours.
• Turn Defiance: The ghast and any ghouls within 30 feet of it have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead.

Actions

• Multiattack: The ghast makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.
• Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage.
• Claws: Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage. If the target is a creature other than an undead, it must succeed on a DC 10 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.

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Battle Tips for the Ghast

The Ghast is a formidable undead creature that can pose a significant threat to adventurers. As a Dungeon Master, utilizing the Ghast effectively in battle can create a memorable and challenging encounter for your players. Here are some tips on how to use the Ghast in combat:

Using the Ghast in Battle

• Ambush Tactics: Ghasts are known for their stealth and can be used to ambush unsuspecting adventurers. Consider placing them in dark, narrow corridors or hidden alcoves where they can surprise the party.
• Paralyzing Touch: The Ghast's paralyzing touch is one of its most dangerous abilities. Use it strategically to incapacitate key members of the party, such as the healer or spellcaster, to turn the tide of battle in the Ghast's favor.
• Fear Factor: Ghasts emit a nauseating stench that can cause fear and panic. Use this to your advantage by having the Ghast appear suddenly, causing the party to make saving throws against its stench and potentially disrupting their plans.

Coordinating Multiple Ghasts

• Pack Tactics: Ghasts can work together to overwhelm their opponents. Use multiple Ghasts to flank the party, forcing them to split their attention and resources.
• Divide and Conquer: Have one Ghast engage the party head-on while others circle around to attack from the rear. This can create chaos and confusion, making it difficult for the party to maintain a cohesive defense.
• Retreat and Regroup: If the battle turns against them, Ghasts can use their speed to retreat and regroup. They can then launch a second attack when the party is least expecting it, potentially catching them off guard.

Fleeing and Survival

• Strategic Retreats: If the Ghast is outmatched, it can use its superior speed to retreat to a more advantageous position, such as a narrow passage where it can hold off the party one at a time.
• Using the Environment: Ghasts can use the environment to their advantage, such as leading the party into traps or areas with difficult terrain that hinders movement.
• Calling for Reinforcements: If the Ghast is part of a larger undead force, it can retreat to call for reinforcements, bringing more undead creatures into the fray to overwhelm the adventurers.

By using these tactics, you can make encounters with Ghasts both challenging and exciting, providing a memorable experience for your players.