Mortis Family/Geruvegan/Notes on Undead and Monsters

My Notes on Undeads and Monsters on the Southern regions, specifically around the area of Luz de Bia in Beluaterra.

I started this journal to further my idea of a controlled breeding program of monsters and undead. My reasons for this was that we adventurers (and perhaps nobles as well) would then not have to spend hours upon hours of searching in vain in giddy heights and dark forests. Moreover, unexperienced persons shall be able to practice on lesser beasts first rather than encountering Champions and Dragons while wandering. Basically, we will have a more "alchemic" training program against these abominations of nature.

Bestiary

A collection of my divisions on the Monsters and Undead, to help facilitate my studies. Classes are denoted using characteristics most common and attributes such as strength, physical appearance and rarity. Tips and Tricks are noted by cursive. Group Levels are confomant to the usual monster levels used in the adventurer network.

Kinds of Undead

Classes of Undead

• Shambling Corpse - By far the most common undead kind, yet the weakest of the lot. They are commonly derived from slain peasants, slaves, scribes and scouts. Since they did not have any formidable strength in life, they do not have strength in un-life. Their movement is very slow and they possess just wnough wit to locate the enemy, move shambingly to it and bite or attack it. Appears in Level 1 above.

Weakest of the undead. Even novice adventurers and peasants could vanquish these nuisance. Their attacks are slow and far between and their movement slow as well. A gigantic swarm of them could be dangerous and overcome a lone warrior, as fatigue shall kill you.

• Zombie - Slightly stronger than the Shambling Corpse, and as common. Derived from paesants, slaves, scribes and scouts that had a particular deep hatred when they died. Their hatred fuels their arms and legs, resulting to more powerful attacks and slightly faster movement. Nevertheless they are at par with the Shambling Corpse in wit. Appears in Level 1 above.

Use the same strategy as the Shambling Corpse. Although they are stronger, the difference is not much and only make for a more annoying nuisance. Commonly seen together with Shambling Corpses, it would take a huge swarm of these to be deadly to take out a lone wanderer.

• Skeleton - From aged corpses six feet under, Skeletons form the next division of Undead. The previous classes are derived from relatively fresher corpses, and their movement and strength is primarily derived from the strength of the body, but not so with Skeletons. Because they have less matter around them, they are very fast, and their strength is directly proportional to the magic that summoned them. They sometimes use their very bones as weapons, holding a rib-bone or arm-bone as swords and clubs, a proof of wit. Appears rarely in Level 2 but common on Level 3 upwards.

Formidable at first sight, fighting them first hand will reveal that bones are no match to steel and that these skeletons are very brittle. Although they are significanty stronger than the other classes,they are easily dispatched by striking them on their joints.

• Revenant - Revenants are warriors brought back to life. Their appearance is more similar to that of their original appearance in life, as compared to zombies and Shambling Corpses, with but the coldness of body and paleness of skin as indicators of death. They retain all their battle lore and wit from life, and even, though I haven't tested it yet, perhaps memories from life too. Appears in Level 4 upwards.

When fighting Revenants, be as alert and wary as fighting a skilled warrior, for that is their true nature. They weild and wear their weapons and armor in life, and their strength and speed is enhanced by their status of undeath. Flight is wisdom when faced with death, so do not blanch in fleeing from such foes.

• Ghoul - Ghouls are elder Zombies, who through putrefication and decay, have degenerated to an abominable monstrosity. Their appearance will not be done justice with words, and the adventurer must see one for himnself to judge. Although they wear no armour and weild no weapons, and they are as easily sliced as a Zombie, they command the insects that feed on their flesh (thusly can attack by range), and their claws and fangs drip venom, so beware! Appears in Level 4 upwards.

The insect attacks are hard to parry and block, and the venom can cause death and even zombification within days thus the Ghoul must be the first to die, if you can reach them. Although slightly faster and possesing greater wit than a Zombie, their flesh is weak and one well aimed slice can shatter them to dust.

• Undead Champion - One of the strongest of the undeads, the Undead Champion's derivation are ussualy heroes, kings, mages, sages, or even persons who are consumed with despair or dark magicks. Whatever the case, Undead Champions are typically of great size and tremendous strength. Although their size hampers their speed somewhat, they are not overly slow and they possess battle lore and wit greater than even a Revenant. They weild great weapons, armor and accesories, that sometimes may be left behind and spared by the giant's dust-death. Usually seen in command of a horde of undead of Level 5 upwards.

(scribbled on the margin) I have heard reports of Champions amock during the formation of hordes . When these are reported in a region, novice adventurers should steer clear as High Level undead can be encountered at even the lowest level; a field day for expert adventurers however. Perhaps this applies to Monsters as well,...

Undead Champion. Use all your skill and wit, hold not back, if you do not want to die. Take your time in gradually taking him down. Undead Champions are not reccomended against novice adventurers, and flight does not reduce your honor. Oh and pray to your gods, they might help you, you'd need it.

Kinds of Monsters

Kinds of Beasties and Monsters

• Beasts - Common region predators that have either wandered near human settlements or had difficulty in finding prey and were forced to go attack humans. Found in Level 1 and 2 groups.

Tactics will depend on the kind of animal, however you just use your head and even the inexperienced will have no problems.

• Rabid Beasts – Predators that were turned even deadlier by rabidity. The causes of their aggression could range from nearby undead, to residue magic. This heightens their senses and enhances their strength and speed. Whatever the case, the only cure of their affliction is death. Present in Level 1 and 2 monster groups.

Use the same tactics as when battling Beasts. Take into account however the enhanced speed of Rabid Beasts, so as not to be taken off guard.

• Brigands – Common thieves and highway robbers. They wander the paths of the region, sometimes raiding small outlying villages, but more often waits on paths to terrorize travelers and wanderers. Level 3 - 4 groups.

Not as skilled as professional soldiers and adventurers, they nevertheless pose a greater threat than just dumb beasts.

• Trolls, ogres, orcs - These monsters ussually band together to form small parties to rob any passing human of their meat. All have inhuman strenth and tougher skin (more particulrly the trolls) and weild their blades and clubs with skill. They sometimes team up with brigands, for their wit is not so keen. Level 4 groups.

When encountering these creatures, do not be daunted by their terrible features, rather go on the pre-emptive offence. This will strike them in surprise, and allow you to take out a few before they start retaliating. A horde however, should best be left to professional armies.

• Lesser Wyrm - Airborn reptillians, with forms like dragons, but with less stature and lesser strength and power. They glide over their home regions all day until they find a suitable prey, which are sometimes, of the human species. They have limited powers of flight however, and have to rest on the ground or on a strong tree to rest their wings, as thier bulk do not favor long periods of flight. They sometimes serve under a Dragon. Level 4 and above.

Their claws are as sharp as their teeth, and their ability to fly is a problem for all those who weild short ranged weapons. It is advised that you bring a bow with you, but the cost of arrows has limited it's use among adventurers. Thus the most common method of exterminating them is to wait until they rest an are tired. Then you strike. Works everytime, as they are too tired to defend themselves.

• Dragons - Dragons, Lord of all the Beasts, and a most magical of creatures. Able to fly for days at a time regardless of their bulk, their blood, heart, horns, eye, claws, hide, liver, flesh, wings, basically every part of a dragon is used for magicks, arcane, dark or divine. Fortunes could be had from a whole dragon corpse alone! Unfortunately, they have been known to shoot flames from their mouth, and their strength is unmatched. A single swipe could shred apart not only one but five fully armored men! Classified as Level 5 and above.

Dragons are among the top of the list among the most hunted beasts and top on the most number of failed hunts. The only known weak point is on their belly or rather chest area, where their heart is. Their heart is closer to the surface to facilitate cooling of the blood, and it is easily pierced by arrows, sword or spear. The problem however is in execution, but hitting the eyes is a sure way to distract him and make him really angry. Iron shields (preferrably enchanted) are a must.

Experimentation

Now that I have collected data on the monsters and undead of the area, I resolved to start my investigations. First I asked nearby adventurers to spare some foes that they have conquered and rather give them to me, of course caged safely. A null result however hindered my progress, as since I did not offer any reward but the advancement of science. It seems that adventurers' strongest motivation is the profit argument. Nevertheless, I resolved to collect the specimens myself.

Breeding and procreation of Shambling Corpses

My first "catch" so to speak were four Shambling Corpses, from the region of Mio Dupaki. The methodology of my capture was by tieing rope among the trees, by which they were trapped in an enclosed space,.. being to dumb to break the rope. Here I stayed for 3 (three) days to record observations if undead or at least Shambling Corpses breed or are propagated by means of corpse appropriation.

The four organisms basically shambled about their cell, making intermitent noises, and gestures. They did not interact with each other and no attempts at breaking out were done. Ont the second day, one shambling corpse spontaneously turned to dust, although with no adverse effects on the others who continued to act "normally". Despite my efforts of trying to keep the place sterile, a rabbit strayed near one, and were cruelly buthered by the three during the afternoon of the second day. On the third day, the rabbit was zombified and turned into another Shambling Corpse, although I was forced to kill the undead rabbit as it was short enough to escape the containment ropes. Conclusion: Shambling Corpses were able to reproduce only through corpse appropriation and zombification.

Zombies, Replication and Breeding

Having recieved reports about the undead infestation on Glongin by an adventurer who goes by the name of Angus (Many Thanks), I travelled there to further my research. There I easily captured two Zombies and a Shambling Corpse using the methodology mentioned in my previous research.

The Zombies behaved basically like Shambling Corpses and they neither interacted with each other nor were there any escape attempts. Thus, nothing eventful happened on the first day. On th second day, having been struck by an idea, I captured a wild rabbit and threw it to a Zombie. The poor rabbit was attacked and got un-life on the third day. The subjects were dispatched by my sword. Conclusion: Zombies behave as Shambling Corpses and replicate using corpse appropriation and zombification.

With regards to Skeletons

After traveling for many weeks, and trying many ideas and schemes, I finally hit upon the an effective plan to trap Skeletons. First I selected a suitable site, far removed from citizens and filled with natural barriers of rock. Bym provided such an area. Then I devised a clever plan of making an artificial rock slide trap the subjects. Having done this, I proceeded with my original methodology. When thrown a live rabbit, they butchered it but it only becaming a zombie rabbit. I threw a bag of animal bones to see what they would do, but they only continued on walking about ang "playing" with their bones and nothing happened.

After three days of observation the subjects were dispatched by me. Conclusion it seems that to become skeletons, zombies have to rot until only the bones remain (for having survived to achieve this state, it has acquired some wits and skill) or necromancy performed.

Foreign Notes

Notes from other adventurers, interested in furthering this manual.

Anstorkoc

Undead Champions have been known to walk freely when there is an 'invasion', just before a hoard forms. I discovered one in Eno, and barely escaped with my life.

Group number: 1 Location: 1de3a1a6a90e32e0df777b0bc8038446

Undead Champions They feel no pain, as I was unfortunate to find out. A spear through the face and multiple times through the chest did nothing. Even throwing some particularly large rocks didn't work. Perhaps the only way to kill them is to remove the head? Or something more enigmatic.

Revenants Do feel some sensation. Dispatched by blow through heart, or removal of head. That's the easy part, hard part is breaking past its skill and wit. Spears are not recommended for fighting these, the only reason I came out with my life is because I dropped a rock on it. I believe they do breed, the first revenant I encountered was a female. Later revenants have been male or female. Some of the revenants have seemed "close" to each other... further study required.