Undead

21 Nov, 2025

(Skeleton/Zombie and Lich inspired by ideas taken from the bad doctor)

There are many ways in which the dead rise.

The body, untethered to a soul, is dangerous for it no longer knows what it is. Corpses are buried in familiar lands with familiar objects, and bravely rest even as the soul departs. Some dead are not so fortunate, and rot away without nostalgic comforts. Once the weight of skin and organs are shed, they rise as bones desperate to feel the electric sensation of touch, but touch needs flesh. They hunt for tongues to speak, eyes to see, flesh to masquerade as a man; fine silks and woolens taken for granted by nobles are ecstasy for the Skeleton, who is a magnet for sensation. Some construct a simulacra of a body that never was and call themselves man, but we call them Zombie.

Ghouls are a peculiar case: a decadent family of nobles once refused the end of their line and turned to Ghoulism, which twisted their skin white and bade them torture and eat other men, or infect them and expand their ranks. Watch out for their paralyzing claws, which leak a venom into the flesh that freezes all but unblinking eyes. Those caught are subjected to cruel games, or, worse still, forced to hear them declaim their hourlong poems, penned in the monotony of immortality.

Other stories tell of Knight’s slain oath unfulfilled who rise again as Revenants. They finish their obligations at any cost with soul-cutting blades in their right hands. Then, without direction, they ride on until some dark master gives them purpouse. Woe to fallen Knights who are reduced to function.

Now I will speak of Wraiths, that rise from the mouths of drowned corpses trapped in moonlit river or buoyed on the unmarked sea. They are forever starved for breath, and desperate to claim air from the lungs of the living. Fisherman sing not for joy alone, but to keep away Wraiths who quiver at the sight of warmth and love, then cry salty tears.

There are two undead who tower above the rest: first is the Lich, fetishist supreme who loved a single object so much that their soul fell into it, and became immortal. Their love exudes from the beloved object, and enchants those who approach it unless they steel their hearts to destroy that which is beloved. Their command over the material extends to all objects: they may command an object to move, and its wielder must see the Lich's will done. Those killed while in love with the Lich's phylactery rise as the Lich's servant after death.

Last the Vampire, a kind of super-Ghoul. Those made Vampire must forever forgo light and joy; food turns to ash in their mouth, and plants wither where they step: all that moves them is a desperate hungering for blood. In exchange they gain immaculate powers: they may travel through shadows, or turn to mist at will. Their voices are wonderful and tempt those who listen—friends are turned against friend; lover against the lover. Those few humans spared of death are twisted into monsters, and made into the Vampire's plaything. These powers are merely the most common: some Vampires have abilities far stranger, and stronger still. Bereft of sensation, the Vampire sows chaos until, one day, the inanity of immortality drives them to welcome the morning sun and be destroyed.

Undead are aberrations and may dismissed by Truth-tellers. A truth teller may say "it rests" to put an undead to slumber. The target number is equal the HD of the Undead.

SKELETONS & ZOMBIES
HD - 1† & 2†
AC - Unarmored
Attacks - Weapon
No. Appearing - 2d20

• Maces add 2 to Damage against Skeletons; fire adds 1d6 damage against Zombies.

GHOUL
HD - 2
AC - Leather
Attacks - 1d6 Paralyzing Claws
No. Appearing - 3d6

• Those struck must Save or be paralyzed. Save again each round to break free.
• Humans killed by Ghouls rise as Ghouls on a 2-in-6.

REVENANT
HD - 3† (Or as in life if higher)
AC - Plate
Attacks - 1HD Soul Cut
No. Appearing - 1, or 2d6 on a Quest

• Attacks against the living drain 1HD. Those killed rise as Skeletons on a 2-in-6 and serve their killer.
• A fallen knight with an unfulfilled Obligation rises from the dead HD% of the time.
• Their soul-cutting swords drain 1HD when drawn or picked up by a living being.
• When encountered, 1-in-6 chance of leading 2d20 Skeletons.

WRAITH
HD - 4†
AC - Unarmored
Attacks - Soul Drain or Moan
No. Appearing - 1d4

• Those drained must Save or have their soul pulled from their lungs. They clutch at their throats and collapse for 1d6 rounds, desperate for breath.
• Intangible and invisible in all but moonlight.
• Only harmed by Silver and magic.

LICH
HD - 5†
AC - Chain
Attacks - 1d6 Weapon
No. Appearing - 1 and 1d20 Servants

• May command an item to move: if it can move on its own, it does. Otherwise the items owner or someone nearby must complete the Lich's will on a failed Save.
• Cannot be killed unless its beloved item is destroyed. Otherwise

† - Those beyond mortality shrug off lesser wounds. Track attacks that deal 6 or more damage; the monster perishes once this number equals their listed HD.

VAMPIRE
HD - 8
AC - Chain
Attacks - 1d6+2 Weapon
No. Appearing - 1 and 1d6 Monsters (at least 4HD)

• Move through shadow or turn to mist.
• 1-3HD creatures must Save when spoken to by a Vampire or fall in love with it. Those who Save may never be effected.
• Heal 2d6 HP each round, unless damaged by holy water or wood from a Yew tree.
• May spare those bitten, then twist them into monsters with evil words.
• 1-in-6 Vampires are Truth-tellers.

† - Those beyond mortality shrug off lesser wounds. Track attacks that deal 6 or more damage; the monster perishes once this number equals their listed HD.