Animate Vermin

1st-level necromancy

The spell creates an undead creature that will follow your commands. Choose the bones or corpse of a Tiny beast within range. Your spell brings the target back as an undead creature. The target becomes a Vermin Skeleton if you chose bones, or a Vermin Zombie if you chose a corpse. The creature will follow simple orders and will defend itself against hostile creatures. Once 24 hours have elapsed, the creature will revert to it's lifeless original form.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you animate two additional Undead creatures for each slot above 1st. Each of the creatures must come from a different corpse or pile of bones.

Ezrin's Notes

Sort of a beginner's animate dead. This spell is often used to teach new necromancers the ropes, but doesn't wind up in their spell books.

I picked this one up from a small circle of necromancers living out of a surprisingly cozy crypt beneath a rose garden. They were, in spite of their reputation, welcoming and eager to share. (Provided you don't mind the not-so-subtle comments about your good bone structure.)

Stat Blocks

Vermin Zombie

Tiny undead, neutral evil ___ – Armor Class 8 – Hit Points 2(1d4) – Speed 20ft. ___ |STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA| |:—-:|:—-:|:—-:|:—-:|:—-:|:—-:| |2 (-4)|6 (-2)|16 (+3)|2 (-4)|6 (-2)|4 (-3)| ___ – Senses darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 10 – Languages None – Challenge 0 (10 xp) ___ Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the 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 zombie drops to 1 hit point instead.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

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Vermin Skeleton

Tiny undead, neutral evil ___ – Armor Class 8 – Hit Points 2(1d4) – Speed 20ft. ___ |STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA| |:—-:|:—-:|:—-:|:—-:|:—-:|:—-:| |2 (-4)|6 (-2)|9 (-1)|2 (-4)|6 (-2)|4 (-3)| ___ – Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning – Damage Immunities poison – Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned – Senses darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 10 – Languages None – Challenge 0 (10 xp) ___

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage.

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