Undead Grafts
New Player Options
Undead grafts are formed by attaching dead flesh or parts to a still-living body, the results of vile experimentation by pale masters seeking to become more like the undead creatures they keep in the study, while still retaining some sense of mortality. The grafts detailed in this section have no statistics of their own. Instead, a graft may improve some ability or characteristic of the creature it's attached to, or grant the creature a new ability entirely.
While pale masters obtain an undead graft upon reaching third level and selecting their deathless axiom, this section has been included for other classes to obtain an undead graft. Those considering this need to deeply consider the ramifications of grafting an undead appendage; some who consider undead creatures as vile abominations might not openly accept deformation of the living with undead appendages, and those few who revere the undead may take offense at the idea of carving them up into parts for use by the living.
Master Grafter Crafter
As this type of work is typically shunned in civilized areas throughout the realms, most of those that specialize in these types of operations are not adventurers: it is not easy being one skilled enough to do the work and carries an inventory of undead appendages -- gods have mercy if players want to try this on their own...
This NPC will want to be in a quiet and comfortable setting to conduct their work, usually an alchemical laboratory, but possibly an evil temple or desecrated catacomb would be more fitting. Additionally, they would need a supply of materials, which usually takes the form of flesh or body parts obtained from undead creatures of the appropriate type.
The list of grafts included below have a price-range based on their quality, much like that of other items. This price includes all of the mundane components and the cost of the surgery, as well as a list of specialized materials. It is up to the DM if they wish to include these specialized materials in the cost of the graft, or perhaps send the players on a quest to fetch a rare component.
Also, it is important to note that grafts are not magic items, even though in game terms they function very much like they are. A graft does not radiate magic once completed, and it does not require attunment to be worn. It is very hard, if not impossible (meaning, "at the DM's discretion and somewhat discouraged"), to salvage another creature's graft as treasure.
Grafts in the Multiverse
The following list of undead grafts is available to players, should they be willing to pay the price to obtain them. If the graft grants a unique feature with a limited number of uses (per day or total), it is indicated in the charges heading for the graft. Also, a character can only obtain the undead gifts from each graft once: if they graft two zombie arms onto their body, they only gain the benefit from one arm, for example.
Undead Grafts List
Banshee’s Tongue
Undead graft, very rare
Cost: 5,001 - 50,000 gp
Charges: 1 / day
Appendage: tongue
Rare Component: a humanoid tongue
A dehydrated appendage from a body whose spirit became a banshee, which replaces your tongue. Your graft has 1 charge, which recharges at dusk (local time). You release a mournful wail, causing creatures within 30 feet of you that can hear you to succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or drop to 0 hit points. This wail has no effect on constructs and undead.
Bonemail
Undead graft, rare
Cost: 501 - 5,000 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: chest and torso
Rare Component: minotaur skeleton bones
Bonemail resembles armor crafted from interlocking shards of bone, which are grafted to your body. While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 12 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
Bodak's Eye
Undead graft, very rare
Cost: 5,001 - 50,000 gp
Charges: 3 / day
Appendage: eye
Rare Component: a bodak's eye
A white eye that fits into your empty eye socket. Your graft has 3 charges. When a creature that can see your graft starts its turn within 30 feet of you, you use your reaction to force it to make a DC 15 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, it takes 16 (3d10) psychic damage on a failed save. The graft regains 1d3 expended charges daily at dusk.
Dehydrated Ogre's Skin
Undead graft, rare
Cost: 5,001 - 50,000 gp
Charges: 1 / day
Appendage: skin
Rare Component: zombie ogre's flesh
A massive amount of desiccated flesh, which replaces your skin. The graft gives you a +2 bonus to your Strength ability score. Additionally, if you attack a creature while possessing this graft, the graft can drain the target's strength. On a hit from a melee weapon attack, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw of suffer two levels of exhaustion. The graft's enchantment can't be used this way again until the next dusk.
Ethereal Skin
Undead graft, very rare
Cost: 5,001 - 50,000 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: skin
Rare Component: a ghost's remains
Ectoplasmic remains from a ghost, which are grafted over your current skin. The graft allows you enter the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane (or vice versa), as an action. You remain visible on the Material Plane while you are in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa, but you can't affect or be affected by anything on the other plane.
Eyes of the Revenant
Undead graft, uncommon
Cost: 101 - 500 gp
Charges: 1 / day
Appendage: eyes
Rare Component: a docile beholder's eye
The eyes of a creature that was possessed by a revenant, which replace your own. The graft helps you seek revenge on someone who has become the source of your unending vengeance. Select one being or creature as your mortal enemy, and while they are on the same plane of existence as you, you have an unerring sense of direction to help you locate them. You gain advantage on a skill checks if they are related to finding your mortal enemy.
Flaming Eye
Undead graft, rare
Cost: 501 - 5,000 gp
Charges: 1 / day
Appendage: eye
Rare Component: a docile beholder's eye
A crimson eye from an unusually docile beholder, which fits into your empty eye socket. The graft gives you resistance to fire damage and lets you cast the fireball spell once per day, recharging at dusk.
Lich’s Heart
Undead graft, legendary
Cost: 50,000+ gp
Charges: Special
Appendage: heart
Rare Component: a lich's phalactery
A phalactery belonging to a lich, which replaces your heart. This graft grants you a limited form rejuvenation due to the power used during its initial creation. If you are killed, but your body is not destroyed, your body regains its life force over the next 1d10 days. Lost body parts are reformed, including any vital to life.
The process turning a lich’s phylactery into a lich’s heart is more complicated that most undead grafts. If the lich whose soul is bound to the phalactery has not been killed before the graft is completed, the lich's soul expelled from the phalactery, but immediately knows and can locate it if on the same plane. Alternatively, if the lich has been killed and is undergoing the process of rejuvenation, the lich is completely and utterly destroyed.
Mohrg's Tongue
Undead graft, uncommon
Cost: 101 - 500 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: tongue
Rare Component: a mohrg's tongue
A long cartilaginous appendage that bears sharp claws at its tip, which replaces your tongue. The graft is a simple weapon with which you are proficient and has the finesse and reach properties. Using an action, you can make a melee weapon attack with the graft. On a hit, the target takes 1d4 piercing damage must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of its next turn.
Mortified Legs
Undead graft, uncommon
Cost: 101 - 500 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: legs
Rare Component: a pair of zombie legs
Two gaunt limbs composed of desiccated flesh, which replace your legs. The graft causes you to permanently lose 5 feet of movement speed. In return, you are no longer affected by difficult terrain which occurs on solid that is moderately flat, such a terrain caused by the mold earth cantrip.
Mummified Torso
Undead graft, very rare
Cost: 5,001 - 50,000 gp
Charges: 1 / day
Appendage: torso
Rare Component: a mummified eye
A swath of preserved undead flesh, which replaces the skin around your torso. The graft gives you a +2 bonus to your Constitution ability score.
Additionally, if you attack a creature while possessing this graft, you can paralyze the target. On a hit from a melee weapon attack, the target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw of be paralyzed. The graft's enchantment can't be used this way again until the next dusk.
Mummified Eye
Undead graft, very rare
Cost: 5,001 - 50,000 gp
Charges: 1 / day
Appendage: eye
Rare Component: a mummified eye
A dehydrated orb that fits into your empty eye socket. It looks much like a normal eye, but it has a distinctly dry appearance and does not move in your eye socket. The graft lets you cast the eyebite spell once per day, recharging at dusk.
Mummified Hand
Undead graft, rare
Cost: 501 - 5,000 gp
Charges: 3 / day
Appendage: hand
Rare Component: a mummy's hand
A withered appendage swathed in funereal wrappings, which replaces your hand. The graft has 3 charges and is a simple weapon with which you are proficient. Using an action, you can make a melee weapon attack against a target. On a hit, the target takes 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with mummy rot. The cursed target can't regain hit points, and its hit point maximum decreases by 10 (3d6) for every 24 hours that elapse. If the curse reduces the target's hit point maximum to 0, the target dies, and its body turns to dust. The curse lasts until removed by the remove curse spell or other magic. The graft regains 1d3 expended charges daily at dusk.
Ossein Arms
Undead graft, rarity varies
Cost: 5,001 - 50,001+ gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: arms
Rare Component: shards of bone from a giant
Shards of bone from a hardy giant, which are grafted into your forearms underneath your skin. With this graft, your Strength score changes to a score granted by the graft. If your Strength is already equal to or greater than the graft's score, it has no effect on you.
| Type | Strength | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Hill giant | 19 | Rare |
| Stone/frost giant | 21 | Very Rare |
| Fire giant | 23 | Very Rare |
| Cloud giant | 25 | Legendary |
| Storm giant | 27 | Legendary |
Skeletal Hand
Undead graft, uncommon
Cost: 101 - 500 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: hand
Rare Component: a skeleton's hand
A bony appendage with sharp claws, which replaces your hand. The graft is a simple weapon that deals 1d4 slashing damage. You are proficient with the graft and it has the finesse property. If you make an attack with a melee weapon on your turn, you can use your bonus action to make an additional attack with the graft if is not holding an object or weapon.
Umbral Pores
Undead graft, uncommon
Cost: 101 - 500 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: entire body
Rare Component: remains from an incorporeal undead
Whisps of shadow or ectoplasumn remains from a ghost, which are infused into your pours. The graft lets you cast the misty step spell once per day, recharging at dusk.
Undead Skin
Undead graft, rare
Cost: 501 - 5,000 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: skin
Rare Component: skin from an undead creature
A mottled gray hide, which you graft onto yourself after flaying off your own skin. The graft gives you immunity to damage dealt from critical hits and sneak attacks, causing the attacks to deal normal damage instead. You can wear armor and still gain this benefit.
Vampiric Fangs
Undead graft, rare
Cost: 501 - 5,000 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: teeth
Rare Component: teeth from a vampire
A set of sharp teeth, which are grafted into your jaw once you remove your own. The graft is a simple weapon with which you are proficient. Using an action, you can make a melee weapon attack with your graft. On a hit, the target takes 10 (3d6) necrotic damage, and you gain hit points equal to half of the necrotic damage done. Additionally, the target is grappled. A grappled creature can use its action to attempt to break free (escape DC is contested by your Strength (Athletics) skill).
Zombie's Arm
Undead graft, uncommon
Cost: 101 - 500 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: arm
Rare Component: a zombie's arm
A rotting limb of undead flesh, which replaces your forearm. The graft gives a perminant +1 bonus to your Strength ability score, but also gives a -1 penalty to your Dexterity ability score. Additionally, when you are reduced to 0 Hit Points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Zombie Pores
Undead graft, very rare
Cost: 5,001 - 50,000 gp
Charges: n / a
Appendage: entire body
Rare Component: a zombie's corpse
The pustules from a zombie are harvested and infused into your pours, bolstering your fortitude. If damage reduces you to 0 hit points, you 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, you drop to 1 hit point instead.