[It wasn't pretty...]
From a woodcut depicting the Black Death which hit 14th-century Europe.
Supplied by Glenalth Woodwalke of Pegasus Valley.

*** UNDEAD CREATURES ***

Here's what we've got so far:

DEATH (or "Grim Reaper")

(DS: F'lar Starfire)
Type: Undead Creature
Quester/monster ratio: 10+:1 (Quest)
Armour: 4 points, invulnerability
Attacks: Any one weapon, except projectiles.
Shield: None
Abilities:
1) Immune to subdual (Iceball, Entangle, etc.), traps, death magic, poison, Charm, Turn Undead.
2) Teleport (unlimited) ("death can be seen but cannot be touched")
3) Finger of death (4 per life)
4) Touch of death (unlimited)
5) Able to make "Plague Bearers" [see below]
Vulnerabilities: If Death is hit with a Sphere of Annihilation, Death is temporarily destroyed, and all within 50 feet are killed. (Reference: "bag of holding" in a "portable hole.")
Garb: Black robe or cloak; black or white mask
Description: The Grim Reaper itself. Not someone to mess with. Death must pick a base from which to come alive (so to speak), and this base must be far from any other base. Totally impartial, killing on a whim anyone it sees fit who comes within range.
Lives: Death cannot be killed -- it is destroyed for 5 minutes, then comes back, with unlimited "incarnations." (Why? Because it is death!)
Levels: None

Plague Bearers: Death is able to make 2 of these per incarnation, by having them wear a ratty looking tabard. Plague bearers are a type of Zombie, but instead of creating other Zombies, they just carry the black plague. They continue to fight against the opposing team, and may fight with any weapon they had when they died (except projectiles). They can be killed just like other Zombies, but any physical contact will give that person the plague: any non-magical handheld weapons which touch a plague bearer will transmit the disease to the bearer of the weapon, as will bodily contact. The one who touched the Plague Bearer has 5 minutes (300 count) to get a Cure Disease or they die a horrible death. Death may only create one Plague Bearer per team per incarnation, and may only do this with the consent of the reeves. (If this ability would cause an unbalance in the game, the reeves are at liberty to disallow the ability.) The character who became the Plague Bearer does not lose an additional life when they die: it was against their will, and the death of a Plague Bearer is a mercy killing. However, they have still lost the life that led to them being made into a Plague Bearer.

Discussion: Major nasty monster, tested in DS. Definitely only to be used in special scenarios, with a specific reason for it to be there. Not something to throw into a battle on a whim. As battle designer, you *could* even say (if you're feeling particularly nasty) that while Death is doing its 300 count to come back, no-one can die. ("Death cannot take them.") Wounds would still count, as far as incapacitating limbs and such, but no-one actually dies until Death comes back (at which time all the previous "death blows" dealt while Death was out of play suddenly take effect). It would be like giving everyone who dies a "Fight After Death" of up to a 300 count without initial restoration of limbs, which would get *really* nasty. ("Come back here! I'll bite your legs off!") I don't recommend doing it this way, but it's an option. - Bjarni

REVENANT (or "Vengeful Spirit")

(CK: Thrythlind Hardwulf)
Type: Undead Creature
Quester/monster ratio: 3:1
Armour: None
Shield: None
Attacks: Two short hand-held melee weapons
Abilities:
Regenerate: Limb 50 count, life 100 count, by causing body parts to reunite.
Revenants can only be killed by fire (Flameblade, Fire Trap, Fireball, or Flamewall, but not Lightning), or by a Sphere of Annihilation.
Undead Immunities: Cannot be affected by any mind altering spells or abilities.
Cannot be subdued or poisoned naturally. May not carry enchantments without a stack.
Paralyzing Gaze (only usable on the one it seeks revenge on): "I paralyze you with fear"x3, acts as a wizard's Hold Person spell. Can move while casting as wizard's Hold Person, but must focus gaze on victim.
Vulnerabilities: Vulnerable to fire.
Garb: Grey tattered clothing.
Description:
Revenants are vengeful spirits that have risen from the grave to destroy their killers. The powers represent a TSR-type revenant, but it could also be used for Crow fans.
Obeys no commands. Will not attack most people unless it is attacked or blocked from its object of vengence.
Lives: 1
Levels:
1st-2nd:
As above
3rd:
Turn Undead is half-effective
If they lose an arm they can cast this spell on the one who wounded it: "My arm chokes you to death"x3 at a range of twenty feet. The victim dies. This represents the arm acting independently of the body.
4th:
Immune to Turn Undead
Gaze 2/L
1 point natural armor
5th-6th:
As above.

Discussion:
These undead should only be played in special games and both the hunted and the hunter should be willing to play their part without taking anything personally. - Thrythlind
According to Vampire: Complete Guide to the World of the Undead, by Mascetti: A Revenant (undead) is one who has been attacked by a vampire, and the blood taken, but not to the point of transformation. The Revenant dies either from shock or eventual loss of blood, and is interred, but his spirit appears to his kin and friends or fellow-villagers as a decomposing body, wandering around at night. They share the same method of attack as vampires (bites, usually at the neck, or in the area of the heart). A Revenant turns all victims, whether man _or_ animal, into a Revenant. He is powerless to turn them into Vampires. Instead, they share his fate. They cause "vampiric epidemics". Those alive must then dig up the body, kill them _again_. Revenants' bodies do not stop decomposing. They look far worse than vampires. - Astrean

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