Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Darakhul

Medium · Undead · CR 3 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

18 (scale mail, shield)

78 (12d8 + 24)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Skills

Deception +3 Stealth +5

Languages

Common, Darakhul

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

necrotic

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Hungry Dead Nature

The darakhul requires no air or sleep.

Master of Disguise

A darakhul in a prepared disguise has advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks made to pass as a living creature. While using this ability, it loses its Stench.

Stench

Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the darakhul must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of its next turn. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the darakhul’s Stench for the next 24 hours. A darakhul using this ability can’t also benefit from Master of Disguise.

Sunlight Sensitivity

While in sunlight, the darakhul has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Turning Defiance

The darakhul and any ghouls within 30 feet of it have advantage on saving throws against effects that turn Undead.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage, and, if the target is a Humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or contract the darakhul fever disease (see the Darakhul Fever sidebar).

Claw

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 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 12 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. A paralyzed target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a Humanoid is paralyzed for more than 2 rounds, it contracts darakhul fever.

Multiattack

The darakhul makes one Bite attack, one Claw attack, and one War Pick attack. If the darakhul is using a shield, it instead makes one Bite attack and one Claw or War Pick attack.

War Pick

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.

About Darakhul

Darakhul is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 78 hit points (derived from 12d8 + 24).

Darakhul has communication capabilities including Common, Darakhul. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Darakhul

2 tips available

When using Darakhul in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Darakhul

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Darakhul?: Darakhul has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Darakhul?: Darakhul is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Darakhul speak?: Darakhul can communicate in Common, Darakhul.