Anenekro (3.5e Monster)

''A slithering snake coils in mid-air towards you appearing much like a ravid. But as you draw near you notice black jets of energy erupt from its pockmarked, seemingly rotting surface. It's head is replaced by a giant claw, and where the claw of a ravid would be sits a groaning vaguely humanoid face that spits forth smoke.''

The anenekro is the negative energy plane's version of a ravid, warped and corrupted by the negative energy present within. Its appearance seems undead, but it is alive and constantly bleeding negative energy that infects anything formerly imbued with life. While no smarter than their ravid kin, they are much more sinister and devious, well aware of the damage they cause and purposefully seeking out corpses to animate and protect itself. Rarely will an anenekro enage in direct combat when minions can suffice. Rather it can heal its minions all while keeping away from danger.

Combat
A anenekro avoids direct conflict when possible, finding the nearest corpse and animating it to attack and group up around single opponents, so they cannot escape, nor reach the anenekro floating just out of their reach, healing the undead attackers. In this way the anenekro gains more undead for its growing army. In a pinch, it will flee and return later to haunt.

Animate Dead (Su): Once per round, a random corpse within 20 feet of a anenekro animates as though by the spell animate dead (caster level 20th), although the dead created by this effect only last for 20 rounds. These corpses defend the anenekro to the best of their ability, but the anenekro isn’t intelligent enough to employ elaborate tactics with them beyond the concept of ganging up or chasing people down. The anenekro may have up to 40 HD of undead under its control with this ability at one time, and may even animate corpses that were previously animated, provided that their body is intact. Undead who are destroyed in combat are not suitable to raise, but an undead whose duration expired may be targeted again.

Flight (Su): A anenekro can cease or resume flight as a free action. A anenekro that loses this ability falls and can perform only a single action (either a move action or an attack action) each round.

Negative Energy Lash (Su): A anenekro can make a touch attack or hit with a claw or tail slap attack to infuse a target with negative energy. The energy produces an terrible decay in living creatures causing 2d10 negative energy damage, and against undead foes (even incorporeal ones) it instead heals them.

Feats: A anenekro has the Multiattack feat even through it does not have the requisite three natural weapons.