CR 7 – Aberration – The Plague Warden

Tier 2 play

**Monster Name**: The Plague Warden

**Size, Type, Alignment**: Large Aberration, Neutral Evil

**Core Stats**: Armor Class (AC) 15, Hit Points (HP) 85, Speed 30 ft.

**Ability Scores**:

Strength 16 (+3),

Dexterity 12 (+1),

Constitution 18 (+4),

Intelligence 10 (+0),

Wisdom 14 (+2),

Charisma 8 (-1)

**Proficiencies**:

Saving Throws: Constitution +7, Wisdom +5

Skills: Medicine +5, Stealth +4

Damage Resistances: Psychic, Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Damage Immunities: Poison

Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Poisoned

**Senses**: Darkvision 60 ft., Blindsight 10 ft. (blind beyond this radius), Passive Perception 12

**Languages**: Understands Common and Deep Speech but cannot speak

**Challenge Rating (CR)**: 7

**Special Abilities**:

– **Infectious Aura**: Creatures within 10 feet of the Plague Warden must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the start of their turn or become poisoned until the end of their next turn.

– **Contagious Touch**: Once per turn, when the Plague Warden hits a creature with a melee attack, it can force the target to succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take an additional 14 (4d6) poison damage and become poisoned 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.

**Actions**:

– **Multiattack**: The Plague Warden makes two attacks with its Contagion Strike.

– **Contagion Strike**: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage.

– **Spawn of Disease (Recharge 5-6)**: The Plague Warden can summon 1d4 Swarm of Insects (use stats for Swarm of Insects) in unoccupied spaces within 30 feet. The swarms act on the Warden's initiative and follow its commands.

**Description**: The Plague Warden is a grotesque, towering creature with a twisted, humanoid form covered in oozing sores and writhing parasites. It emerged from the depths of a tainted marsh, drawn to the cries of those suffering from disease and despair. With a grim demeanor, it stalks the land, spreading illness while reveling in the chaos it creates. Tactics involve using its Infectious Aura to weaken foes before closing in for devastating melee strikes, all while summoning swarms to sow further chaos in battle. Its ultimate goal is to gather the dying, feeding off their life force and spreading its plague, all while watching the health workers struggle in futility to save the afflicted.