The word dampf, in German, means “vapour.” In England, the term became used to describe a variety of gases encountered during mining:

• Firedamp refers to a flammable gas, most often methane.
• Whitedamp refers to a smothering, toxic gas (usually carbon monoxide resulting from burning coal). This is the gas which canaries were famously used to detect.
• Stinkdamp is hydrogen sulfide. Poisonous, corrosive, and very flammable, with the foul odor of rotten eggs.
• Afterdamp, the toxic mixture of gases left in the aftermath of an explosion. Could be any mixture of the above.

Corpsedamp is a gas most often extracted by necromancers from rotting corpses. It has a number of properties favorable to their work, but is particularly notable for allowing the creation of corpsedamp zombies: Shambling undead literally bloated by the mass of gas which has been used to animate them. Their rotting skin is drawn taut; the milky white remnants of their eyes often bulge from the face or are even pushed out to dangle against their cheeks by their internal pressure.

CORPSEDAMP ZOMBIE
Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 8
Hit Points 22 (3d8+9)
Speed 20 ft.

STR 13 (+1), DEX 6 (-2), CON 16 (+3), INT 3 (-4), WIS 6 (-2), CHA 5 (-3)

Saving Throws Wis +0
Damage Immunities Poison
Condition Immunities Poisoned
Vulnerability fire
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages understands all languages it spoke in life, but cannot speak
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Explosive Death. If a corpsedamp zombie is reduced to 0 hit points, it immediately explodes. All creatures within 15 feet must make a DC 13 Dexterity save. A target takes 2d8 fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. (The fire spreads around corners and ignites flammable objects in the area that weren’t being worn or carried.)

Fiery Death. A corpsedamp zombie is vulnerable to fire. If they die as a result of fire damage, however, their Explosive Death ability deals 4d8 damage (or half on a successful save) instead of the normal amount.

ACTIONS

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage.

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Remixing Avernus – Part 3: The Vanthampur Investigations Remixing Avernus – Part 3F-A: Dungeon of the Dead Three (Design Notes) Remixing Avernus – Part 3J: Portyr Assassination