Ravenous Creatures
Clifford Horowitz, Dragon #319
Those undead that dine upon the flesh of humanoids occasionally catch a magical virus that twists them still further, granting them even greater powers.
Creating A Ravenous Creature
"Ravenous" is a template that can be added to any corporeal undead (referred to hereafter as the "base creature"). It is most common among undead that feast on humanoid flesh, such as ghouls, ghasts, and some zombies. A ravenous undead possesses an exaggerated maw filled with especially sharp, jagged teeth. Some even sport multiple rows of teeth. It can also unhinge its jaw in order to take larger bites and feed its perpetual hunger all the quicker. A ravenous undead uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Attacks: A ravenous creature retains all the attacks of the base creature and also gains a bite attack if it didn't already have one.
Damage: Ravenous creatures have bite attacks. If the base creature does not have this attack form, use the damage values in the table below. Creatures with natural bite attacks deal damage as if they were one size larger on the table below or retain their original damage, whichever is better.
| Size | Damage |
| Fine | 1 |
| Diminutive | 1d2 |
| Tiny | 1d3 |
| Small | 1d4 |
| Medium | 1d6 |
| Large | 1d8 |
| Huge | 2d6 |
| Gargantuan | 2d8 |
| Colossal | 4d6 |
Special Attacks: A ravenous creature retains all the special attacks of the base creature and also gains those listed below.
Feed (Ex): A ravenous creature deals automatic bite damage with a successful grapple check.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the ravenous creature must hit with a natural attack. If it gets a hold, it can feed.
Need to Feed (Ex): A ravenous creature is driven by a consuming hunger, not a lust for battle. Whenever it slays a living opponent, the ravenous undead must succeed at a DC 15 Will save or immediately stop to eat its kill. When eating, a ravenous creature can do nothing else. It loses its Dexterity bonus to AC and does not make attacks of opportunity.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex +2.
Environment: Any.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Treasure: Half of the base creature's treasure. Ravenous undead sometimes collect wealth if their base type is inclined to, but their hunger often causes them to overlook treasure in favor of flesh.
Alignment: Any nongood.
Advancement: Same as the base creature.
Sample Ravenous Creature: Ravenous Ghoulish Halfling.