The Undead: Cursed, Restless, and Enchanted

The term "Undead" refers to those who have died, but by some means continue their presence (either their body, spirit, or both) in the world. The Undead fall into three main categories: Cursed, Restless, and Enchanted.

In the Fields We Know, Cursed Undead include Vampires, Ghouls, and Gibbelins. Each of these feast upon the living, and in some cases may pass their curse on to those they kill. Curses typically come from the gods themselves for grave affronts against Nature. On rare occasions, Fey or even mortals may place curses upon the living denying them a peaceful death.

While Restless Undead usually manifest as Ghosts capable of weak poltergeist activity, powerful motivations such as revenge or obsession can turn the spirit into a Wight or
Wraith or result in the the actual corpse emerging from the grave as a Revenant.

Enchanted Undead are created  though blasphemous magic, either using the body of the dead as a vessel to house a summoned spirit such as in the case of a zombie, or in the case of some Golems, trapping the soul of a once living person in a constructed form of clay, metal, or stone.

A holy symbol presented forcefully will keep Undead at bay but the area of effect is limited. The wielder can be flanked on either side or from behind and attacked.

Burning holy incense (derived from resins or herbs) will create an area of effect with a 15 foot radius (area of effect can be enlarged by burning multiple sources) but a breeze can disperse the smoke, creating vulnerability in the direction of the source of the wind.

Protection from Evil will in itself NOT prevent Undead from attacking by touch, but they will attack with a -2 penalty. The protection will also prevent the passing of the Undead curse in the event of death. A physical circle of protection, such as a drawing, engraving, or scattering of blessed powders (such as salt or acorn flour) will typically prevent the Undead from passing. Research or luck may be required to find an effective means.

Most Undead are immune to mundane attacks. Either weapons will pass through their incorporeal form, or they will simply ignore any harm done to their once mortal body, as they no longer depend on oxygen, blood flow, or their sensory organs. Silver, Iron, or Magical weapons may be needed to harm them, or striking a particular body part such as decapitation or a stake through the heart.

Antoine Wiertz