Grave Records

[Burt_Reynoldz_Mustache]

*twelvth page*
Uktar 11th, 1375

Throughout my endeavors, I’ve uncovered an abundant amount of observations, research and facts when dealing with the Undead.

First let us examine the definition. Undead is a collective name for legendary beings that are deceased yet behave as if alive. Undead may be corporeal or spiritual. Undead are featured in the legends of most cultures and in many works of Faerunian Writers. They directly feed off of the Necromatic energies which some rumor come from a Negative Plane of existence. Now let us examine some examples which I’ve found in the field.

Zombie -(Nzambi:Elven, Jumbie:Orc) A reanimated corpse and the most common undead. Many Necromancers first experiments involve the creation of zombies. They are portrayed as mindless, unfeeling monsters with a hunger for living flesh. These creatures can sustain damage far beyond that of a normal living human. Their state of decomposition such as rotting flesh, discolored eyes, and open wounds leads to slow movement and shambling. They are generally incapable of communication and show no signs of personality or rationality. I’ve found that most often, they are given simple word commands by their masters which they fulfill to the best of their primitive comprehension (IE: Guard here/ Attack Him)

Revenant -(Revenir:Draconic) A Revenant is a visible ghost or animated corpse that was believed to return from the grave to terrorize or exact revenge on the living. Many stories were documented by Water Deep Historians in the 1300’s about the beasts. Kelemvorite Researcher Bernine Cromwall stated “one would not easily believe that corpses come out of their graves and wander around, animated by I don’t know what spirit, to terrorize or harm the living, unless there were many cases in our times, supported by ample testimony.” A revenant is a very personal undead, always tied to a specific individual. Though I have never personally come across a Revenant, there have been rumors that these animated corpses are anchored by the souls of those who wish revenge or resolution. One particular tale tells the story of a Tyrian Paladin whose family was murdered by a jealous gnome who wished for the Paladin’s status and position. The Paladin returned from its grave four nights later and was spotted within the streets of Daggerdale, seeking justice. Later, the gnome was found in his home; slain by blade. The body of the Paladin was found later, lifeless near his tomb with his field armor and weapon adorned once more. This story is an example of the possibility that Revenant’s possess sapience.

Skeleton -A type of physically manifested undead most commonly found as fleshless, non-intelligent constructs. These creatures can be made from any race found on Toril. These beasts are very common and compete as the most used construct for Necromancers along with Zombies. They are raised as perfectly obedient and expendable foot-soldiers or guards. Unlike other undead, skeletons are rarely self-directing or independently mobile. They can make little intelligent decisions and can easily be led into ambushes, traps or hazardous terrain.

[Burt_Reynoldz_Mustache]

*thirteenth page*
Continued....
Ghoul – (ghu’l: Dwarven, Ghilan-Draconic) these creatures tend to dwell in burial grounds and other uninhabited places near civilizations. Though they resemble zombies in many ways with their decomposing flesh and rotting parts; these monsters are much faster, stronger and retain some of their ability to think independently. These lesser undead must consume flesh for sustenance and have the ability to poison their foes, which upon death leads to transformation into a ghoul. During one stay in High Hold, we found a farmer who journeyed too far into the swamps and was bitten by a wandering ghoul. He retreated to the hold after a few hours of dragging his wounded self through the muddy swamps however, his state of health was too far gone. The poisonous curse of the infected transformed him minutes after his arrival to the town and many town folk reported his injured leg unaffected by his injuries when he battled the town guards who arrived.

Wraith- (Warth: Elven, Vo’Ror- Ancient Neverwinter Books) with very little consistent documentation, the Wraith is one of the most enigmatic of undead creatures. Taking spirit form, it is described as a horrific shadow with burning red eyes. Its mere presence can destroy men’s very souls. A wraith has been said to have sapient thought, though it does not recollect any detail from its previous life. Its nature is that of reckless hate and it starves for living souls.

Lich (Liche: In some Common, Le’Iche: Elven) a type of undead often formerly a powerful magician or king, who has used necromantic rituals to bind his intellect to his animated corpse and thereby achieve a perverse form of immortality. Liches are depicted as being clearly cadaverous and some even completely skeletal. They are found holding power over hordes of lesser undead creatures, using them as servants. These beasts hide their very souls inside their hearts and remove them from their dead corpse. The heart is hidden which grants the Lich indestructibility in its physical form so long as the heart remains safe. These receptacles they keep their hearts/souls in are known as phylacteries. The Great Blue Tusk War (1374-1375) between the Allied Military of Rivermoot, High Hold and Silverymoon versus the Blue Tusk Orc Tribe resulted from the sinister plans of one Demon-Lich. Though the Blue Tusk Tribe was defeated, the facts weather the Lich was officially destroyed still are argued.

Mummies -(Mum’rana:Calim) A type of powerful undead that serve as guardians, these undead are found more frequently in the Southern deserts of Calimport. Some tales tell of the creatures being highly intelligent. Others state that the creatures are merely powerful undead constructs who have very limited thought and intelligence. All reports show that they are much tougher then common undead and special rituals are needed to create the foul atrocities. Their appearance varies but, is often described as dried and preserved corpses that walk the line between Ghoul and Skeleton. Adventurers far and wide seek out the tombs of this Undead along with their doom, as the necromantic rituals used to create the Undead are mostly used on Kings, Nobles and High Priests. The possessions found on the bodies of Mummies are usually high in value.

Wight – (With:Druidic, Wig’Tuni’me: Draconic) These undead are rotting corpses with a part of their decayed souls still in residence. The Creatures are often necromantic victims that retain sapience, however their motives seem to be that of hunger for true life and souls. When turned to the Necromatic curse, these dark souls become stronger, quicker and have the ability to drain mortal men of their health. Some attain memory of their former lives however, the memories rot much like their bodies as time passes. Soon, they are hollow forms of evil and display only their hunger for the vigor of men. Wights are a priority mercy-kill as most are souls trapped by the enchantment given to them by Necromancers or Wights that they’ve died at the hands of.

[jmecha]

These are the most amazing writings I've seen in a long time. Keep it up, I can't get enough of it.
I wish I could write like you but, unfortunately I suffer from the "dumb"

[Riotnrrd]

Agree, is awesome, and we should 'talk shop' in character real soon!

[Burt_Reynoldz_Mustache]

*fourteenth page, stained with droplets of chestnut tea*
Continued…

Vampire – (Nosferatu: Some regions of Common, Vrykolakas: Dwarven) the most frightening of all Undead, the Vampire is an abomination that sparks argument about the ambiguous definition of unlife. Nay man nor decrepit horror, this Monster resembles its former self both in mind and body, before the kiss of death ever touched its lips. With only pale skin, cold touch and hidden fangs to decipher it from common man, the beast truly is the wolf within sheep wool.

The Vampire sustains itself with blood from the living. The crimson elixir keeps the beast alive and it must drink every few nights. Do to its intense feral nature and unbound thirst, its victims very rarely survive meeting with the Undead. However, for the few documented cases of survivors; most describe the bite of the vampire as a tidal wave of euphoria spiked with agony. Only a handful have survived the aftermath of a bite from a vampire, as the prey are weakened from their traumatic attack and become susceptible to illness.

The Vampire’s weaknesses are questionable at best. Many different cultures have separate beliefs as to what wards off the Undead. Garlic, running water, wooden stakes, Wolvesbane, and holy water are all theorized components to repel Vampires. In some written field tests however, these items have proved flawed to driving away the creature. The only confirmed allergen for the Nosferatu seems to be sunlight. They can nay immerge in Lathander’s grace nor use many of their blood-curdling abilities at this time. They enter a drowsy state of consciousness which can only be cured by rest within their bonded coffin, crypt or grave. Destruction of the Vampire can only be complete in one of two ways. Direct exposure to sunlight until the creature’s body withers into nothingness or the Vampire’s head must be separated from its body and the two burned separately. I emphasize that these are the only two ways that the Vampire has ever been destroyed.

A vampire’s tactics are simple. The Atrocity must feed on the blood of the living. There for they must establish themselves near living creatures. Large cities and towns are their most frequent hunting grounds and places of residence. The Vampire must spiritually link its black soul to a coffin, crypt or grave site. To do so the Vampire must sleep within the location for three consecutive nights without disturbance. After its bond, the monster then can begin hunting. Using social subterfuge, the Vampire most commonly hunts in night time establishments such as Inns, bars and theatres. They lure their victims into disclosed locations and begin feeding, most often by force. Afterwards, they return to their bonded sleeping location t o rest for another hunt. A Daggerford historian and participant in an excavation of a suspected vampire grave wrote:

“It is in the safety of Dawn that we uncovered the coffin which lay under the tomb of Vargas Haynes, a local butcher who passed under mysterious circumstances. Though he had passed many months ago, after uncovering the body we discovered his sleeping figure still retained a healthy appearance; with plump stomach and no signs of decomposition. Fresh blood covered the bridge of Vargas’ mouth and a fine set of elegant tunics replaced the burial shrouds he was placed inside his coffin with. We drove pine spear heads into the creature’s heart, causing the corpse to rise in agony. With that, a local hero separated his body from head with a finely crafted Gurka. Had it not been for the investigative work of the locals to seek out Vargas’ tomb, many more townsfolk may have perished during Mr. Haynes cursed life.”

So how do these creatures exist? Historical documents show that it takes an immense amount of effort to continue the unlife of a Vampire. An intense Necromatic Ritual must be cast upon a victim. The ritual involves the transferring of blood between Undead donor and the living vessel. This feat leaves the Vampire host weakened and in a state of fatigue. The transformation for the new fledgling is equally painful, as the living body must literally die. After Kelemvor’s embrace is cast upon their living body, the soul is blackened and anchored to its corpse. The Horror soon afterwards begins to adopt its new insatiable lust for blood along with discovering its new inherited talents. The ability to see in complete darkness, superior strength, and troll like regeneration are merely the beginning. In time the Monster learns to transfigure into a bat-like creature, take the form of mist and grow razor-sharp claws and fangs. Immunity to age, toxins and disease seduce many living victims to join the ranks of foul undead.

To all who hunt the damned, allow me to heed you this warning. I have locked gaze with the fire red eyes of these fiends. I’ve crossed blades and lost, with my life spared in the chaos of the battle. Know this…To embark on any sort of quest with Vampires is to be swallowed by the mouth of madness. No defeat is more frightening nor is any victory more hollow. When you dance with Vampirism, there is no returning to your blissful state of ignorance.

Sir Dimetree Darkholme