Help I need an undead army!

[Evilhalfling]

Following a plot hook from Fiendish codex, I have a Lich (eldrich knight) CR16
returning from the Orcus' realm with an army. This is a pre-epic plot, with no-one involved being over 16th level, and few above 14.

I am looking for a force that could take a large, but poorly defended city, then using the corpses to spread from there.

base force 1000 skeletons, 1000 zombies, nothing that resembles calvary (due to PC intervention)
what is the command and control of an undead army, drawn from Orcus' realm?

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

As I have a PC necromancer in my game who has aspirations of army leading, here are the issues based on the rules...

A necromancer can control LVLx4 in HD. That's 64 HD of undeadness. A Rod of Undead Mastery (IIRC, from Libris Mortis?) can double that to 128. I suppose that in the case of zombies and skeletons, an argument could be made that you could create a batch of 128 HD, say "march on Greyhawk!" and then create the next batch, with the uncontrolled ones performing their last order, kind of like simple programming. I'm not sure I buy that, so you need people to control more undead - ideally clerics or other classes that can control undead.

Let's assume 5th level controllers for the sake of simplicity. Each one could control 20 HD. You'd need 50 clerics (or whatever) to control 1000 skeletons, and 100 to control 1000 zombies. I don't see any demons in the SRD that specialize in undead control/command, perhaps there are some in the other MM's. It wouldn't be that much of a stretch to say that a 5 HD demon under Orcus command could control undead as a 5th level cleric - I wouldn't have a problem with saying that they could control double, as if using the Rod of Undead Mastery.

For the fun of it, I would have the sub-commanders have Standards which allow them this control (or extra control) - that way, the PC's have something specific to target that can weaken the army - take out a Standard, and half of the undead assigned to it go into uncontrolled status.

 

[Desdichado]

Comes from Orcus' realm. Sounds like you need some demonic influence. At the very least, you should have your undead use the fiendish template.

I know you said no cavalry, but a small unit of armanites would be wicked cool with that army. You need a hard-hitting "elite" unit of some kind; maybe some intelligent fiendish undead, or something. CR 10-12 or so vampires, or death knights or something. Maybe a handful of demons.

You also need a small command structure; a few "bosses" for the PC's to tangle with. EDIT: On this point, what Kid Charlamagne said. A single necromancer can't control anywhere near that level of undead on his own without underlings applying the necessary spell/rebuke/control aspect to units. There ya go.

It seems odd that the rules don't have some provision for Necromancer generals who can control vast hordes of undead, doesn't it? That's kinda a key fantasy staple there.

 

[Pyrex]

Another option is to use intelligent undead (via the Corpse & Bone templates from BoVD) that are loyal to Orcus and have been ordered to follow the orders of your necromancer.

You don't get the same direct command as with Rebuke/Command and/or Animate Dead, but you avoid that pesky rules issue.

 

[Evilhalfling]

Hmm I like the idea of Demonic controllers or eliets - it gives the PC beguilier and crit monkey something to do.

I was also thinking of using Mob Templated undead - 30hd skeltal mob, 60hd zombie mob
this would require a 8hd controller, using a standard (as suggested) to control the zombie mobs. I also like standards or even human skin drums with the same abilities as the rod from liber mortis.

The army was relying on spirit riders (MMV) for calvary - but the PCs worked out an attonement for the order of cursed knights, It will prolly be fighting against the horde

What about archers or airunits? fliers like shadows, vampires and wraiths are all restricted by sunlight, leaving the army terribly vulnerable in the day.

 

[00Machado]

Doesn't Heroes of Battle have a statted out undead army? I don't have my copy here, but I think it does.

 

[Henrix]

Wights are good troops to have in an undead army. Intelligent, stealthy, get temporary hp when they hit, kills most low-level opponents with a hit or three. And they multiply!

 

[Hypersmurf]

... nothing that resembles calvary...

-Hyp.

 

[frankthedm]

What about archers or airunits? fliers like shadows, vampires and wraiths are all restricted by sunlight, leaving the army terribly vulnerable in the day.

Shadows are not restricted by sunlight. They are easy to see in sunlight however. 2 greater shadows and 16 normal shadows will make a nice EL13... i think.

Nightwings are a CR 14 with Deeper Darkness at will.

 

[Drowbane]

Vs a city of mundanes? Ghouls & Shadows are both adept at increasing thier ranks without any of those "daylight" issues.