Undead Origins

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Dungeon Crawl Classics #71: The 13th Skull
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Silver Skull-Possessed Zombie: The Silver Skull can take possession of bodies for a limited time, but doing so usually kills the host. This is a pile of recently possessed corpses. There is nothing of value on them. Note that the Silver Skull may choose to take possession of these corpses during combat.
Vampire: ?

 

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Dungeon Crawl Classics #74: Blades Against Death
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Moira the Fishwife, Ghost Banshee: A scant twenty years of age, Moira was already a mother when Ratvik the Mad stole her away. When she refused to join his court, Ratvik had her burned alive. With smoke searing her lungs, Moira cursed Ratvik to eternal un-death before succumbing to the flames and becoming un-dead herself.
This is where Ratvik imprisoned the young fishwife, and where—his advances spurned—he burned her alive. But Moira’s passion and fiery curses have proven stronger than Ratvik’s evil or madness; none of the charnel house’s dead can pass until Moira has been appeased.
Ratvik the Mad: A scant twenty years of age, Moira was already a mother when Ratvik the Mad stole her away. When she refused to join his court, Ratvik had her burned alive. With smoke searing her lungs, Moira cursed Ratvik to eternal un-death before succumbing to the flames and becoming un-dead herself.
This is where Ratvik imprisoned the young fishwife, and where—his advances spurned—he burned her alive. But Moira’s passion and fiery curses have proven stronger than Ratvik’s evil or madness; none of the charnel house’s dead can pass until Moira has been appeased.
Ghost: This is where Ratvik imprisoned the young fishwife, and where—his advances spurned—he burned her alive. But Moira’s passion and fiery curses have proven stronger than Ratvik’s evil or madness; none of the charnel house’s dead can pass until Moira has been appeased.
Similarly, though the ghost of Moira bars the gates of death, this does not mean that all deaths have ceased in Punjar. Only those that die in close relation to the charnel pits are kept from their eternal reward (or punishment).
Today the charnel pits are suffused with Ratvik’s wicked spirit and the ghosts of a hundred other souls unable to pass Moira’s ghost to reach the lands of the dead.
Phantom Skeletal Hand: ?
Phantom Scrivener, Ghostly Scrivener: This is where Ratvik imprisoned the young fishwife, and where—his advances spurned—he burned her alive. But Moira’s passion and fiery curses have proven stronger than Ratvik’s evil or madness; none of the charnel house’s dead can pass until Moira has been appeased.
Similarly, though the ghost of Moira bars the gates of death, this does not mean that all deaths have ceased in Punjar. Only those that die in close relation to the charnel pits are kept from their eternal reward (or punishment).
Today the charnel pits are suffused with Ratvik’s wicked spirit and the ghosts of a hundred other souls unable to pass Moira’s ghost to reach the lands of the dead.
Ossuary Cloud: ?
Mnom-Mothot, Mummy: ?
Court Skeleton: ?
Skeletal Troubador: ?
Desiccated Lover: ?
The Jester: ?
Blue Phantom: This is where Ratvik imprisoned the young fishwife, and where—his advances spurned—he burned her alive. But Moira’s passion and fiery curses have proven stronger than Ratvik’s evil or madness; none of the charnel house’s dead can pass until Moira has been appeased.
Similarly, though the ghost of Moira bars the gates of death, this does not mean that all deaths have ceased in Punjar. Only those that die in close relation to the charnel pits are kept from their eternal reward (or punishment).
Today the charnel pits are suffused with Ratvik’s wicked spirit and the ghosts of a hundred other souls unable to pass Moira’s ghost to reach the lands of the dead.
The Priest, Ghost: ?
The Nun, Ghost: ?

 

[Voadam]

Dungeon Crawl Classics #75: The Sea Queen Escapes
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Aquatic Un-Dead: When Ru was an island, this region was home to a large, beautiful necropolis filled with ornate mausoleums and elegant marble tombs. Every Ruean was interred here upon his or her death, their mortal remains spending eternity with those of their ancestors. In the cataclysm that sank Ru, the necropolis was devastated by the disasters, its mausoleums and tombs shattered and the sleep of the dead disturbed.

 

[Voadam]

Dungeon Crawl Classics #76: Colossus, Arise!
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Cadixtat, Un-Dead Chaos Titan: The faith of the Daughters did far more than animate the brain of Cadixtat. It also awakened the headless corpse of a chaos titan. Buried beneath the temple, the un-dead chaos titan arises even as its brain succumbs to the blows of the PCs.
Weeping Specter: ?

 

[Voadam]

Dungeon Crawl Classics #77: The Croaking Fane
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Mummified Toad: Originally intended to house the elite faithful of the cult’s adherents, its limited numbers and their proclivity in slothfulness meant that only two were ever interred here. This is good news for the adventurers, as the unholy power of Schaphigroadaz has reanimated their remains in strange forms. Two rounds after the party enters this chamber, two of the niches’ doors crash to the floor and mummified toads spring out.

 

[Voadam]

Dungeon Crawl Classics #79: Frozen in Time
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Lich Shogun: ?

 

[Voadam]

Dungeon Crawl Classics #80: Intrigue at the Court of Chaos
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Ento-Morlock, Insect-Ghoul Hybrid: At a moment when the party faces total destruction, Akhen-Am-Set draws the PCs’ souls/spirits/anima into a metaphysical limbo and there offers them undeath as an alternative to true death.
If the PCs agree to serve Akhen-Am-Set, she teleports them to an underground desert tomb where they find blood-red clay sarcophagi, one for each PC and molded in their likenesses. The sarcophagi are perforated with thousands of small holes. The PCs lie in the sarcophagi and Akhen-Am-Set levitates the heavy lids into place. The PCs are not completely entombed as the perforations allow in light and air. But these holes are designed to admit something else: insects. The living mass at Akhen-Am-Set’s feet swarms into the sarcophagi and envelops the PCs. Hundreds of venomous insects administer stings that numb the PCs’ bodies and perceptions. The PCs’ deaths follow quickly, but they experience no sensation of it …
Akhen-Am-Set raises the PCs as “ento-morlocks” – insect-ghoul hybrids – which gives them advantages in the arena.

 

[Voadam]

Dungeon Crawl Classics #81: The One Who Watches From Below
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Skeleton: Book of the Dead spell.
Ghost: Book of the Dead spell.
Ghoul: Book of the Dead spell.
Zombie: Book of the Dead spell.
Shadow: Book of the Dead spell.
Un-Dead: Book of the Dead spell.
Ogre Zombie: Book of the Dead spell.

Book of the Dead
Level: 3 (Shigazilnizthrub) Range: Varies Duration: 1 day Casting time: 1 action Save: None.
General The caster recites spells from a cursed tome written in blood that grants the power to control the un-dead. This spell requires at least 1 point of spellburn. The caster can only control 2x CL of un-dead creatures at a time.
A Book of the Dead must be acquired before the caster is able to cast this spell. The black tomes are exceedingly rare. The judge should invent a quest that must be performed to obtain the book or create a new one.
Manifestation The air fills with corpse flies and a rotting stench as the dead rise.
1 Lost, failure, and patron taint.
2-11 Lost, Failure.
12-15 Failure, but spell is not lost.
16-17 The caster creates a single skeleton by touching a corpse or pile of bones, or dominates one existing un-dead creature up to 1 HD within 10’.
18-21 The caster creates a single ghost or ghoul by touching a corpse or pile of bones, or dominates one existing un-dead creature up to 2 HD within 20’.
22-23 The caster creates a single zombie by touching a corpse, or dominates one un-dead existing creature up to 3 HD within 30’.
24-26 The caster creates a single shadow by touching a corpse or pile of bones, or dominates one existing un-dead creature up to 6 HD within 40’.
27-31 The caster creates 1d3x CL in total hit dice of un-dead creatures provided there is a sufficient quantity of corpses, or dominates the same number of existing un-dead creatures within 60’. The effected un-dead must be of 8 HD or less.
32-33 The caster creates 1d6x CL in total hit dice of un-dead creatures provided there is a sufficient quantity of corpses, or dominates the same number of existing un-dead creatures within 80’. The caster can choose to animate the mortal remains of larger creatures, creating skeletons and zombies with above-average HD. For example, the caster can revivify a dead ogre (4 HD) to make a 4 HD zombie. The effected un-dead must be of 10 HD or less. If the caster is controlling his or her maximum number of un-dead, a number of skeletons and zombies equal to the excess HD rise from the earth and attack the nearest living creature.
34-35 The caster creates 1d12x CL in total hit dice of un-dead creatures provided there is a sufficient quantity of corpses, or dominates the same number of existing un-dead creatures within 200’. The caster can choose to animate the mortal remains of larger creatures, creating skeletons and zombies with above-average HD. For example, the caster can revivify a dead ogre (4 HD) to make a 4 HD zombie. The effected un-dead must be of 12 HD or less. If the caster is controlling his or her maximum number of un-dead, a number of skeletons and zombies equal to the excess HD rise from the earth and attack the nearest living creature.
36+ The moon blots out the sun to create 24 hours of night. The ground cracks open and a black lacquered palanquin with gossamer purple drapes is thrust up from the bowels of the earth by a giant skeletal hand. A throne built from bleached bones sits squarely upon the platform. The dead rise from the earth in a 1 mile radius: 2d10x CL skeletons, 1d10x CL zombies, plus 1d20 x CL in total hit dice of un-dead creatures of the caster’s choosing. To maintain control over an un-dead creature with more than 12 HD, the caster must make a Will save vs the number of HD every hour. Failure causes summoned creatures to disintegrate and dominated creatures to attack the caster. If the caster is controlling his or her maximum number of un-dead, an additional number of skeletons and zombies equal to the excess HD rise from the earth and attack the nearest living creature.
The Crown of the Zombie King sits upon the throne. Donning the crown immediately causes the wearer to take on a greater corruption. While wearing the crown, zombies (3 HD or less) will obey the caster without counting against the maximum number of controlled un-dead. The un-dead will not attack anyone sitting in the throne with the crown on, or those who bear the zombie king’s litter.
After the 24 hours have elapsed, the dead return to their resting places as the zombie king’s palanquin and crown fade away.

 

[Voadam]

Dungeon Crawl Classics #82: Bride of the Black Manse
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Jost, Ghost: Desperate, Ilse sought aid from beyond this world and foul Mammon answered her call. In exchange for the promise of Ilse’s soul and a diabolic betrothal, Mammon tutored the young regent in a ritual of horrific proportions.
On the appointed eve, Ilse transformed the entire manse into a magic circle. The moors were rent asunder, brimstone flared in the night, and – come dawn – Ilse stood as sole remaining scion of House Liis.
Kethe, Ghost: Desperate, Ilse sought aid from beyond this world and foul Mammon answered her call. In exchange for the promise of Ilse’s soul and a diabolic betrothal, Mammon tutored the young regent in a ritual of horrific proportions.
On the appointed eve, Ilse transformed the entire manse into a magic circle. The moors were rent asunder, brimstone flared in the night, and – come dawn – Ilse stood as sole remaining scion of House Liis.
Joseph, Ghost: Desperate, Ilse sought aid from beyond this world and foul Mammon answered her call. In exchange for the promise of Ilse’s soul and a diabolic betrothal, Mammon tutored the young regent in a ritual of horrific proportions.
On the appointed eve, Ilse transformed the entire manse into a magic circle. The moors were rent asunder, brimstone flared in the night, and – come dawn – Ilse stood as sole remaining scion of House Liis.
These phantoms are the spirits of Josef and Matias sacrificed by Lady Ilse on the night of the great summoning.
Sabian, Ghost: Desperate, Ilse sought aid from beyond this world and foul Mammon answered her call. In exchange for the promise of Ilse’s soul and a diabolic betrothal, Mammon tutored the young regent in a ritual of horrific proportions.
On the appointed eve, Ilse transformed the entire manse into a magic circle. The moors were rent asunder, brimstone flared in the night, and – come dawn – Ilse stood as sole remaining scion of House Liis.
Lady Ursula, Ghost: Desperate, Ilse sought aid from beyond this world and foul Mammon answered her call. In exchange for the promise of Ilse’s soul and a diabolic betrothal, Mammon tutored the young regent in a ritual of horrific proportions.
On the appointed eve, Ilse transformed the entire manse into a magic circle. The moors were rent asunder, brimstone flared in the night, and – come dawn – Ilse stood as sole remaining scion of House Liis.
Lady Ursula, her lover, and their men-at-arms were murdered here, drowned in the mere.
Demut, Ghost: Desperate, Ilse sought aid from beyond this world and foul Mammon answered her call. In exchange for the promise of Ilse’s soul and a diabolic betrothal, Mammon tutored the young regent in a ritual of horrific proportions.
On the appointed eve, Ilse transformed the entire manse into a magic circle. The moors were rent asunder, brimstone flared in the night, and – come dawn – Ilse stood as sole remaining scion of House Liis.
Ilse, Ghost: Desperate, Ilse sought aid from beyond this world and foul Mammon answered her call. In exchange for the promise of Ilse’s soul and a diabolic betrothal, Mammon tutored the young regent in a ritual of horrific proportions.
On the appointed eve, Ilse transformed the entire manse into a magic circle. The moors were rent asunder, brimstone flared in the night, and – come dawn – Ilse stood as sole remaining scion of House Liis.
Matias, Ghost: Desperate, Ilse sought aid from beyond this world and foul Mammon answered her call. In exchange for the promise of Ilse’s soul and a diabolic betrothal, Mammon tutored the young regent in a ritual of horrific proportions.
On the appointed eve, Ilse transformed the entire manse into a magic circle. The moors were rent asunder, brimstone flared in the night, and – come dawn – Ilse stood as sole remaining scion of House Liis.
These phantoms are the spirits of Josef and Matias sacrificed by Lady Ilse on the night of the great summoning.
The Seneschal: The strange, withered man is the embodied spirit of the manse – the psychic torment of the house made manifest in the flesh. Though appearing real for all intents, this is the spectral manifestation of the manse’s wicked past: the Seneschal.
The Gruesome Lover: Lady Ursula, her lover, and their men-at-arms were murdered here, drowned in the mere.
Man-at-Arms: Lady Ursula, her lover, and their men-at-arms were murdered here, drowned in the mere.
Blue Phantasm Ghost: ?
Spectral Chorister Ghost: ?
Burned Heretic, Flaming Skeleton: [E]nemies of House Liis that were burned alive at the stake.
Lady Baethor Liis: Driven by the love of her children, the matriarch of house Liis is returning to life.
Zombie: Lady Baethor travels primarily along the walls and ceiling. On a successful attack she hoists her target from the floor, and presses her foul lips to theirs, exhaling a gout of diseased miasma into the target’s lungs; the PC must attempt a DC 15 Fort save. On a successful save the PC is left stunned, coughing the miasma from his lungs for 1d3 rounds. However on a failed save, the character collapses to the ground, only to rise 1d3 rounds later – a zombie under the matriarch’s command.
Headless Lady: The ladies-in-waiting were once attendants of Lady Ilse. The Mad Prince had them beheaded and their heads secreted away.
Flying Head: The ladies-in-waiting were once attendants of Lady Ilse. The Mad Prince had them beheaded and their heads secreted away.
Skeleton: The water conceals hundreds of skeletons – victims of the Mad Prince. Careful prodding reveals the thousands of bones; nearly all were once humans, though the skeletons of war dogs and horses also lie amidst the carnage.
All of the skeletons are the remnants of a single mass sacrifice – the Mad Prince’s attempt to stave off her devil’s bargain. The offering failed and their souls remain trapped within the vile manse.
Thing of the Undercroft, Bone Golem: Slain or turned skeletons collapse into the water. However, their spirits retain much of their power. Track the skeletons as they are destroyed: once ten are slain, they rise up as towering thing of bone, lashing out in fury at the PCs with spiked limbs formed of shattered bones. The more skeletons the PCs destroy, the more powerful the Thing becomes.
Lesser Charm Spirit: ?
Greater Charm Spirit: ?
Prejudged Soul: The prejudged souls are recently deceased followers of the Ascended God, many still bearing the visible wounds of their demise. They are technically dead mortals on their way to their afterlife.

 

[Voadam]

Dungeon Crawl Classics #82.5: Dragora's Dungeon
Dungeon Crawl Classics
Skeleton: ?
Mad Wraith: A mad wraith is the ghostly remnant of some ancient sorcerer of Parhok.