Undead

Undead are once-living creatures brought to a horrifying state of undeath through the practice of necromantic magic or some unholy curse. Undead include walking corpses, such as vampires and zombies, as well as bodiless spirits, such as ghosts and specters.

The range of undead tactics is difficult to express quickly, and a comprehensive approach goes far beyond the scope of these rules. Here are some quick notes to keep in mind when considering deploying undead:

• The mindless undead follow whatever orders they are given and cannot fathom their own “mortality,” as it were. They literally will not stop coming at you and always fight to victory or utter destruction.
• Purposeful undead may or may not be aware of their role in the world, or their ability to “die,” but they are also motivated by a controlling order or at their master’s whims. They will not abandon their purpose to simply attack and thus cannot be easily led away from a valuable objective or treasure to make life easier for the characters.
• Intelligent undead are independent in most cases and will pursue their own agendas or follow their basic instincts with knowledge and forethought. They are aware they can be destroyed or commanded by holy power and will seek to even the odds if presented with obvious threats, retreating when necessary or manipulating lesser minions to take the brunt of attacks.