Table Of ContentTHE LORDS OF DARKNESS
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Tales From Beyond the Grave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Skeletons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Ghouls and Ghasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Wights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Shadows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Mummies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Vampires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Ghosts .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Spectres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Lich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
The Night Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
A Mundane Guide to. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
The Lords of Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Credits:
Authors: Ed Greenwood (Introduction, Lich, Mundane Guide,
ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, AD&D, FORGOTTEN REALMS,
Lords of Darkness), Deborah Christian (Skeletons, Shadows, DRAGON, PRODUCTS OF YOUR IMAGINATION, and the TSR logo are trademarks
Spectre), Michael Stackpole (Zombies), Paul Jaquays (Ghouls owned by TSR, Inc.
and Ghasts, Mummies), Steve Perrin (Wights), Vince Garcia
Distributed to the book trade in the United States by Random House, Inc., and in
(Vampires, Ghosts), Jean Rabe (Vampires).
Canada by Random House of Canada, Ltd. Distributed to the toy and hobby trade by
Editing: Scott Martin Bowles regional distributors. Distributed in the United Kingdom by TSR Ltd.
Project Coordinators: Bruce A. Heard, Karen S. Boomgarden This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any
reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork presented herein in
Cover Art: Jeff Easley prohibited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc.
Interior Art: Karl Wailer © 1988 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
Cartography: Dave LaForce ISBN 0-88038-622-3
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TSR, Inc. TSR Ltd.
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INTRODUCTION AND DMING UNDEAD
With a final sharp, splintering sound, DMs devising their own undead adven- of shuffling zombies chill farmers and
the door gave way. The warriors forced tures. merchants alike late at night around
it aside and peered into the dimness (cid:147)The Night Gallery(cid:148) details the main dying hearth fires.
beyond, blades drawn. character or creature of each adven- Some undead are clearly evil,
They beheld a dark, littered chamber, ture and is useful in planning a series of directed or created by or allied to dark
silent and dead. Dust lay thick every- encounters. powers. Others are just as clearly neu-
where. Though there were no traces of It is followed by (cid:147)A Mundane Guide to tral, and the intelligent undead have
anyone having come there, an old man Wards vs. Undead, Spirits, and Other proven time and again that they are
sat in its midst, sucking a pipe and hum- Entities,(cid:148) which explores the magic and capable of all the emotions and align-
ming into his beard as he regarded lore of dealing with undead. Some lore ments of their living counterparts:
them levelly. will be (cid:147)common knowledge(cid:148) (readable treachery, suspicion, friendship, honor,
(cid:147)And who are you, graybeard?(cid:148) to players), and more can be revealed and even kindness. There are benign
demanded the foremost man-at-arms, by consulting veteran adventurers, undead who warn or aid travelers as
approaching warily. In reply, the old sages, or crumbling tomes. Much well as those who kill the living. What-
man spoke a word of power that smote should be learned only by trial and ever causes undead to come into exist-
their ears with a clap of thunder His error, during combat. ence (spell, natural process, divine
challenger staggered back as if dazed, (cid:147)The Lords of Darkness(cid:148) section deed, or unknowable mystery) are
dropping blade and shield with a clang- presents new spells for (cid:147)necromancers(cid:148) strong in the Realms; there are a LOT of
or. (those mages who specialize in working undead.
(cid:147)My name, despoilers of tombs,(cid:148) he with undead). They are fully compati-
said in a deep, rolling voice, (cid:147)is Elmin- ble with the spells in other AD&Dfi DMing Undead
ster. I sit in this crypt to be with my game rulebooks, and are recommended
friends. You will leave them, and you as rare and mysterious magics, not Most DMs use undead for their memo-
will leave me(cid:151)NOW.(cid:148) And he rose, eyes spells widely known and available. Cler- rable, fearsome nature and their
flashing. The men turned and, with one ical equivalents may be devised in unique powers, which can sorely test
accord, fled. accordance with the deities of individ- low-level player characters. How
The old man chuckled, sighed, and ual campaigns. undead are handled in battle is of para-
mount importance; while the mindless
sat down again. (cid:147)You were saying?(cid:148) he
nature of lesser undead allows a DM to
prompted the darkness. And the dark- Undead in the
rescue foolish PCs from battlefield folly,
ness answered. . . Forgotten Realms
Undead are among the most vividly too often, more powerful undead are
chilling monsters in AD&Dfi game cam- Although this sourcebook is set in the handled in as mindless a manner.
paigns, from awesome vampires to FORGOTTEN REALMS(cid:153) fantasy world, Consider a lich, for example: a mage
silent, purposeful skeletons. Many DMs need not have other Realmslore or cleric so thirsty for immortality as to
adventurers have battled wraiths and (such as the campaign set) if they wish try to cheat death, and already power-
cut their way through zombies; DMs to set these adventures in different fan- ful at magic. All too often a lich is played
wanting to give players more such tasy campaign settings. For those by the DM as a being who suddenly
excitement will find adventures aplenty whose campaigns are set in the Realms, throws a paramount instinct for surviv-
here. Everyone has fears and gruesome a few notes will help in planning fur- al beyond death away, to stand and
images of the undead; may you find ther undead adventures. trade spells with a band of adventurers.
more in these pages. Many types of undead are known in Liches should be cunning and elusive(cid:151)
This sourcebook begins with intro- the Realms, including sorts not in the why be destroyed when one can slip
ductory notes on the nature and han- official AD&D game rules; boars, away to strike again another night?
dling of undead. (cid:147)Tales From Beyond horses, wolverines, and even owlbears What(cid:146)s the hurry, what(cid:146)s time, to a lich?
the Grave(cid:148) then presents 10 complete have been reported. There are also The DM should always have a clear
adventures. Each highlights a (cid:147)classic(cid:148) undead animated by mages, such as idea of what encountered undead are
trying to accomplish, from skeletons or
undead type, with the challenges rising crawling claws and dracoliches (see
zombies mindlessly seeking to slay, to a
as one proceeds to the later scenarios. DRAGONfi Magazine issue Nos. 32 and
vampire or lich defending a trap-filled
DMs should modify these as necessary 110), little known in other worlds.
lair. Why defend such a lair?
to better integrate them into campaign Undead are a recognized fact of exist-
The lich(cid:146)s lair presented in this book
play. ence in the Realms, much feared and lit-
has a purpose: Alokkair is trying to
(cid:147)Creature Notes(cid:148) accompany each tle understood. Many gory tavern tales
strip greedy adventurers of all the mag-
adventure. These studies of the fea- about liches and vampires and armies
ic (and valuables which can buy more
tured undead are particularly useful to
2
magic) he can. A vampire or spectre result in a loss of character experience. silent, non-attacking grim reminders of
may try to separate individuals from a l Temporary paralysis with no sav- long-ago battle valor, or guard family
party with pit traps and the like, so as to ing throw, either complete or partial, crypts and the resting places of heroes.
drain them at leisure, and gain undead thereby preventing spell-casting, climb- Other undead are of the sorts
followers. ing, picking locks, and giving a -2 pen- described in the AD&Dfi game rules:
All intelligent undead will have aims alty to AC and attacks, for 1d12 + 10 dangerous monsters that must be
(even if they are insane ones, or whim- rounds; curable. fought. There are vampires in the
sies to entertain them). The (cid:147)natural(cid:148) l Loss of all experience gained back Realms who command small armies of
creation of greater undead seems to the minimum required for the char- undead, and liches who rule entire cit-
related to strength of purpose and acter(cid:146)s current level. ies or underground realms.
character, so thinking undead without l Immediate loss of consciousness, But vampires have helped travelers
something to do (beyond exulting in kill- loss of 2d6 hit points, plus a permanent and battlefield survivors. Liches have
ing and mayhem) should be rare. loss of 1 hit point per drain attack, plus trained, advised, or chatted amiably
A vampire or lich that clashes with possible loss of currently memorized with adventurers. Skeletons have
player characters many times to spells. marched out of crypts in besieged cities
become a behind-the-scenes personal l Loss of ability points at random; to snatch up children-their
foe is far more memorable, frightening, character must save vs. poison to see if descendants-and bear them to safety.
and satisfying to defeat than an undead each loss is permanent. The great paladin Ralgorax, the
menace seen for only an instant before l Permanent withering of touched (cid:147)Sword of Tyr,(cid:148) in the dead of night
PCs let fly with all their firepower. All limb (limited wish or wish notwith- roused the sleeping northern village
too often, undead are defeated with standing), or bestowal of a disease of where he had been born, riding his
boring ease, when a wily vampire severe, chronic nature. charger down its streets and banging
would become gaseous and escape, l Bestowal of minor permanent his great sword against his shield. He
only to ambush PCs later when asleep, curse (see (cid:147)Curses!(cid:147), DRAGONfi Maga- warned of an oncoming orc horde(cid:151)
separated, or battling another monster. zine, issue No. 77). and slew its boldest scouts as the vil-
If DMs play undead as energetically as l Character stricken with insanity lagers scrambled to gather their
PCs, players will soon have their own (refer to DMG for types), or, if the char- belongings and flee.
chilling tales of undead and hard battles acter is a spell-caster, the PC perma- The next day, after the paladin(cid:146)s blade
in the dark. nently loses knowledge of how to cast a had slain many an orc, the full light of
certain spell at random or perform a day revealed that Ralgorax(cid:146)s flesh was
Alternatives to type of a magic. withered. He bore old death wounds,
Energy Draining l Alignment shift of character, one and the horse beneath him was also car-
step per attack, toward that of the rion. He smiled sadly at their revulsion,
Many DMs are reluctant to use undead attacking undead. Note that this could saluted, and rode away-into the
as much as the vivid descriptions of cause back-and-forth alignment shifts horde.
these monsters tempt them to; it seems as a character with a long career DMs should keep players on their
unfair to DMs and players alike to lose encounters undead of different align- toes by occasionally using monsters
10 years of life (in a campaign where ments. that vary from their official versions:
time is largely ignored, the loss is mean- l Immediate feeblemindedness plus intelligent, unturnable skeletons are
ingless; in a roleplaying campaign, the a permanent loss of 1 ability point tran- frequent undead examples. Why not
loss seems horribly steep) at the mere dom choice, save vs. poison to avoid). helpful undead? Or neutral undead
sight of a ghost, or have a single undead who do not even know they have died,
attack drain one or even two levels of Non-Evil Undead such as merchants caught encamped
hard-won experience, robbing a player and asleep by a long-ago blizzard?
of the game benefits of what might be The arts of creating and controlling Undead need not always have malicious
literally years of AD&Dfi game play. undead are Evil-and, as many have personalities.
The horror and might of undead learned to their detriment, very dan- That is how easy it is to create non-
must be preserved: to merely turn a gerous. evil undead. Such variety in an AD&Dfi
level-draining ability into so many dice But undead themselves are not game campaign will give its participants
of physical damage seems a poor solu- always evil. In the Realms, and many glowing memories of exciting, vivid
tion. DMs may well devise their own other real and fictional lands, there are play . . . and isn(cid:146)t that what gaming is
solutions, but here are some alterna- tales of apparitions that warn the living for?
of hazards such as washed-out bridges
tives to an attack that would normally
and impending disaster. Others provide
3
SKELETONS
Monster: Skeletons (12) sleep to aid the villagers, they come into his orders without question.
Terrain: Village the scenario when novices are The temple is a tall and spacious
Party Levels: 6 (Average 1st) besieged, under the heading (cid:147)The building of whitewashed stone with a
Gold X.P.: 800 Siege(cid:148), below. red-tiled roof. Although the exterior is
Treasure X.P.: 1,000 simple, the interior is decorated with
Monster X.P.: The Adventure gold leaf, frescoes, and richly carved
Kill: 744 Defeat: 558 woodwork. Below ground, in the foun-
Retreat: 186 Daufin Temple and dation walls, are crypts, the final rest-
Cemetery ing place of leading clerics and some
Setup distinguished villagers. Each crypt is
The temple in Daufin is small but well-
plugged with a slab of marble carved
supported by farmers and villagers.
l Several churchyards in local villag- with the name, dates, and accomplish-
The curate is Hannes, a third-level cler-
es have been desecrated. Grave robbers ments of the deceased concealed
ic. His assistant is the first-level cleric
are suspected of unearthing the tombs behind it. The temple mausoleum is
Jilla, and they have accepted three vil-
and strewing bones about the ceme- almost completely filled, and is all but
lage youths into service as acolytes.
tery. Only one cemetery in the area ignored under Hannes(cid:146) administration.
remains untouched. PCs are asked by Along the hill behind the temple are a
the local temple to guard the church- Hannes (first-level cleric): AC 8; few outbuildings, including the aco-
yard and prevent this sacrilege. MV 9(cid:148); hp 14; # AT 1; Dmg 1d8 lytes(cid:146) quarters. The cemetery occupies
(mace); AL CG.
the sunny hillside below and behind the
l The village temple(cid:146)s sexton runs Spells: Chant, hold person, bless, temple. Surrounded by shady trees and
screaming to the tavern about the dead cure light wounds. planted with flowers, the place is rest-
rising from their tombs in the vaults fully beautiful by day. Folk often pay
beneath the temple. Villagers who dare Hannes is fat and jovial, thoroughly their respects to the graves of the
investigate are attacked by moldering content to be a rural cleric. He lives in a departed; there is little local history of
skeletons. The PCs are rousted from fine house at the edge of town. He does active undead, and the cemetery is not
their sleep at the inn and pressed into not think clearly in an emergency and is considered to be a fearful place.
service against this menace. rather cowardly. Hannes is the one who
suggests that the PCs help if PCs are not
A Graveyard Vigil
DM Background already on the scene. He stays in the
background of any action. The cemetery is located in an area
Village cemeteries in the area are being approximately 200(cid:146) long by 100(cid:146) wide.
disturbed, not by grave robbers, but Jilla (first-level cleric): AC 10; Trees grow on every side of the grave-
rather by the odd magical powers of MV 12(cid:148); hp 6; #AT 1; Dmg 1d6 (quar- yard. The temple and outbuildings are
Kendra, a madwoman with the ability terstaff); AL CG. visible 300(cid:146) away near the top of the
to animate the skeletal dead (see (cid:147)The Spells: Cure light wounds. hill.
Night Gallery(cid:148)). Recently, she has wan- Once the PCs have posted themselves
dered into the village of Daufin. A few The night Kendra raises the skele- around this area for guard purposes, a
days before, a caretaker chased the tons, Jilla has been carousing late into quiet and boring vigil begins. This
filthy vagabond woman away from the the night at the local tavern. She may or cloudy and overcast night is also the
temple grounds. Now, at the dark of the may not aid the characters, as the DM night of the new moon. It is completely
moon, Kendra visits the cemetery, sees fit. If the PCs acquit themselves dark in the cemetery and the surround-
raises the dead at midnight, and turns well, she asks to join them when they ing woods. The only light that can be
their wrath against the temple staff depart. seen comes from a lamp over the dis-
who live in nearby outbuildings. Joined tant temple door, which burns all night.
by the dead of the mausoleum vaults Acolytes (3 zero-level clerics): The village is out of sight beyond the
within the temple, the skeletons will AC 10; MV 12(cid:148); hp 3 each; #AT 1; hill, and any light from there fails to illu-
slay the living and desecrate the temple minate the graveyard.
Dmg 1d2 (fists); AL CG.
unless heroic actions prevent them Night birds sing for a time after sun-
from doing so. Petrus, Davic, and Lauren are obedi- set, then settle down for the evening.
If PCs have agreed to guard the ceme- Near midnight, a breeze springs up
ent and hard-working teen-agers, easily
tery from what is thought to be grave which rustles the tree leaves and
awed by things and people beyond nor-
robbers, they are in on all the action of mal village experience. They believe obscures small noises -such as Ken-
this adventure. If they are roused from Hannes is a very wise man, and follow dra(cid:146)s approach through the woods, and
4
etons will soon be rising from their If she is free to walk around there for at
her quiet muttering as she draws near.
The madwoman(cid:146)s 30(cid:146)-infravision helps graves. Go to (cid:147)Enough to Raise the least one round, her magic takes effect,
her in the darkness, and she is almost Dead!(cid:146) and play continues with (cid:147)Enough to
Raise the Dead.(cid:148)
animal-like in her ability to move
Running Into Kendra If the PC grapples with Kendra in the
through undergrowth and slip between
course of that round, she calls out and
nearly unseen trees.
On a die roll of 1, Kendra passes close summons 1d4 skeletons which come to
enough to a PC that the player charac- her aid in the next ld4 rounds. If the
Kendra: AC 10 (7 if enraged); MV ter becomes aware of her presence. If undead free her, she flees into the
12(cid:148); hp 5 (stays conscious to -5 hp); the PC wins an initiative roll, he is close woods and returns the next night to try
#AT 1; Dmg 1d2 (teeth and claws, enough to make a leap or grab for her. this all again. Otherwise, go to
attempts to bite victim(cid:146)s throat); AL If the PC is successful in this, Kendra (cid:147)Rewards.(cid:148)
CE; XP 1,000; ST 10 (18 if enraged); fights and shrieks, calling skeletons to If the PC fails to catch Kendra right
IN 16; WI 5; DX 9; CO 12; CH 7. her aid. ld4 rounds later, ld4 skeletons away, and she is alerted to danger, she
Spells: animate dead. Wears a ring rise out of the closest graves and come flees and runs around the cemetery,
of invisibility Infravision, 30(cid:146); 30% to her assistance, attacking her assail- calling skeletons to her aid. In this case,
immune to sleep, charm. ant or captors. If the undead free her, continue with (cid:147)Enough to Raise the
she flees into the woods and comes Dead.(cid:148)
To see if PCs or Kendra encounter back the next night to try this all again. On a die roll of 6, Kendra becomes
each other before she can do her magic, Otherwise, go to (cid:147)Rewards.(cid:148) aware of the PCs before they notice her.
roll ld6. On a result of 1, 2, or 6, go to If the PC fails to catch Kendra right She changes her course and then heads
(cid:147)Running Into Kendra(cid:130)(cid:148) below. away, she runs into the cemetery and for the temple mausoleum. Slipping
Otherwise, Kendra strolls out into the dashes in frantic circles, singing and inside, she raises the skeletons from the
middle of the graveyard, constantly calling out to her grave-bound friends. mausoleum crypts. The sexton, alerted
humming and muttering under her Regardless of PC actions, the entire by the thudding of marble slabs onto
breath. Her sounds are hidden by the skeleton crew of the graveyard is about the floor, investigates -and sees the
wind in the trees, unless a character is to rise up and assist Kendra. Go to blood-chilling sight of walking bones
using magic or has exceptionally acute (cid:147)Enough to Raise the Dead(cid:148) and alter and grinning skulls. He screams in ter-
hearing. As the madwoman walks events as necessary to reflect the mad- ror and flees to the village to give the
around this open expanse, there is a woman(cid:146)s circumstances. alarm.
25% chance that she may pass within On a die roll of 2, a PC with infravis- If Kendra is diverted in this way,
the range of sight of characters with ion glimpses a human-shaped figure there is only a 2% chance for PCs
infravision. PCs may respond however moving through the edge of the trees, guarding the cemetery to notice her
they wish when they discover her in but is not close enough to tackle it slipping into the temple. At their dis-
the cemetery-at any rate, her magic immediately. Oblivious to this attention, tance from the temple, they notice only
has already done its work, and the skel- Kendra continues on into the cemetery. a furtively moving figure. However, the
5
sexton(cid:146)s screaming exit some minutes suit and is drawn unerringly to the mau- Rewards
later should draw their undivided soleum by her affinity for the dead.
If the PCs successfully guarded the
attention. If PCs investigate, their In either case, she summons the skel-
cemetery and/or saved the acolytes,
encounter is described under (cid:147)The etons from their crypts in the mausole-
they are thanked by Hannes and
Mausoleum.(cid:148) um. If adventurers arrive within one
rewarded with 500 gp. If the acolytes
turn to investigate the disturbance,
perish, the PCs receive only 100 gp for
Enough to Raise the Dead they are confronted inside the temple
their efforts. If Kendra is captured,
by skeletons.
Once Kendra has summoned the grave- Hannes wants to keep her in hopes of
yard skeletons, they begin to rise from curing her insanity. The cleric doesn(cid:146)t
Skeletons (2): AC5; MV 12(cid:148); hp 10;
the grave two rounds later. It takes one expect PCs to loot the dead, but unscru-
#AT 1; Dmg 1d8 + 1; AL CE.
round for a skeleton to become ani- pulous characters may acquire the ring
One wears a ring of feather falling.
mated, and one additional round for it of feather falling, two +1 maces, and
Skeletons (3): AC 7; MV 12(cid:148); hp
to claw its way out of the ground (see the 300 gp in the crypt.
6; #AT 1; Dmg 1d6 (claws); AL CE.
(cid:147)Ecology of the Skeleton,(cid:148) elsewhere in
this book). In the next four minutes, all Ecology of the
These undead fight without reserva-
undead that are going to will have
tion, and can only be stopped by Skeleton
responded to her summons. If PCs are
destroying or turning them. They do
present, the skeletons attack characters Hubert was blustering his way through
not pursue fleeing characters far from
immediately after emerging from the his third pitcher of ale at the The Empty
Kendra. The first two skeletons are the
ground. Tankard tavern. His audience was
remains of adventuring clerics. They
mostly reduced to younger adventur-
were buried in their armor and carry
Skeletons (7): AC 7; MV 12(cid:146); hp 7 ers who welcomed the blowhard(cid:146)s tales
+1 maces, hence are the most power-
each; #AT 1(cid:130) Dmg 1d6 (claws); AL while Callis, the innkeep, readied the
ful fighters among these undead. One
CE. evening meal.
of the other skeletons was buried with
(cid:147)Last month Rado and I stumbled
a bag of 300 gp in the crypt at his feet; it
One skeleton will appear in the sec- across the tomb of Tynik the Robber
is clearly visible to anyone looking
ond round, four more in the third, and King, in the Gray Hills,(cid:148) the big man
directly into that tomb.
the last two in the fourth. said. (cid:147)You(cid:146)ve all heard of it . . .(cid:148) he paused
If there were no PCs guarding the while heads nodded on cue in the lamp-
The Siege
graveyard, Kendra proceeds to the tem- light, (cid:147). . . but they don(cid:146)t tell you about
ple mausoleum, followed by her skele- When Kendra has marshaled her force the carnivorous skeletons that guard it.
tons. There she (cid:147)frees(cid:148) more of her of skeletons-unless prevented by We fought them as long as we could,
friends, and the sexton escapes through PCs- she leads them directly to the aco- but we were outnumbered. They crave
a side door to warn the village. Play con- lytes(cid:146) quarters, the largest outbuilding. human blood, and when we ran, they
tinues with (cid:147)The Siege,(cid:148) below. She has mistaken it for the caretaker(cid:146)s gave chase . . .(cid:148)
If Kendra has encountered PCs and is residence, and singled it out for her After the past hour of similar yarns,
captive or slain, the skeletons attack the revenge. one listener wasn(cid:146)t having any of it.
player characters. If PCs are victorious, Awakened by the sexton(cid:146)s screams, (cid:147)That(cid:146)s enough misinformation right
play concludes with (cid:147)Rewards.(cid:148) Other- the acolytes see the undead marching there, you ignoramus!(cid:148) blurted a rough
wise, Kendra runs to the temple mauso- toward their quarters. They bar the voice.
leum to (cid:147)free(cid:148) more of her (cid:147)friends(cid:148) door and stand inside, grasping chair Hubert blinked in surprise at the
while the cemetery skeletons engage legs as improvised weapons. Kendra unexpected interruption. A female
the PCs. stays concealed at a distance, watching dwarf moved into the lamplight, and
what the undead do. When the skele- put her empty mug down on Hubert(cid:146)s
The Mausoleum tons assault the building, they tear shut- table with a definitive thunk.
ters off the two windows and enter. (cid:147)I(cid:146)m Tarif Zag,(cid:148) the dwarf introduced
Kendra may have noticed PCs guarding
The acolytes can hold out for one turn herself,(cid:148) and I fought skeletons before
the graveyard, and detoured instead to
before they are overwhelmed by the you were born. Learned a lot about
the temple mausoleum. Alternately, she
undead and slaughtered. If skeletons them in the field. Then I retired, and
may have escaped to the temple from the
are attacked from the rear (by PCs), became a cleric,(cid:148) she said, fingering a
melee in the graveyard. If Kendra knows
two-thirds of their number turns to the medallion around her neck in the form
she is pursued by characters, she bars
new threat, and the others persist in of a silver hammer, (cid:147)and learned a lot
the front door of the temple to slow pur-
their siege of the house. more. Any adventurer deserves to
6
know the truth about those creatures, In death, the animus lingers around the area, that might not be good enough?(cid:148)
and not a lot of hogwash. remains until they turn to dust. This is Tarif studied him for a moment.
(cid:147)Now, let(cid:146)s get some of this straight,(cid:148) true no matter what the race of the (cid:147)Have thoughts of animating the dead
declared Zag, surveying the audience creature whose bones are animated.(cid:148) yourself, do you?(cid:148) His blush was ade-
she had so deftly stolen from Hubert. Tarif drained her mug and looked quate response. (cid:147)Hmph.(cid:148) Her disgust
(cid:147)Skeletons are both more dangerous squarely at Hubert. (cid:147)Since skeletons was apparent, but she sampled the ale
and less fearsome than you(cid:146)ve been led have no brain and no soul, they likewise anyway and mused out loud.
to believe. Anyone who makes them out have no emotions and no desires(cid:151) (cid:147)No, an order like that wouldn(cid:146)t be
to be worse than zombies or ghouls has much less (cid:145)cravings for blood.(cid:146)(cid:148) The good enough,(cid:148) she said. (cid:147)What does
never fought zombies or ghouls.(cid:148) She dwarf snorted and refilled her mug (cid:145)guard(cid:146) mean? Stand at attention with a
took a long pull from her mug, and shot from Hubert(cid:146)s pitcher. halberd at port arms? Kill anyone in
a sideways glance at Hubert. (cid:147)And any- Hubert peered unhappily into his sight? If the orders aren(cid:146)t specific
one who says they(cid:146)re nothing but a pile near-empty pitcher, and drained what enough, the skeleton either stands
of bones, easy to beat, has never had a was left with one swallow. (cid:147)Then how there undecided, or takes a random
close call with (cid:145)em.(cid:148) do you explain those skeletons that action that seems to fulfill the order.
(cid:147)But I(cid:146)ve seen the ones that want human killed Rado?(cid:148) The fighter belched, then (cid:147)The best orders are simple and exact:
blood,(cid:148) rejoined Hubert, not so easily continued. (cid:147)Once they caught sight of (cid:145)Stop anyone from leaving this room, kill-
quelled. (cid:147)They chased us, and brought my us, they chased us forever. They were ing them if necessary,(cid:146) or, (cid:145)Kill anyone who
friend down like a pack of dogs . . .(cid:148) bloodthirsty enough to do that!(cid:148) enters this hallway.(cid:146) (cid:148) Zag inclined her
(cid:147)Sure,(cid:148) Tarif cut him off. (cid:147)That(cid:146)s what Tarif shook her head. (cid:147)There(cid:146)s only one head to Hubert. (cid:147)I suspect that(cid:146)s the kind
it looked like. But let me tell you a thing thing that motivates a skeleton: the of order your skeletons had. As you
or two about skeletons. orders of the spell-caster that created it. noticed, you can only stop them from car-
(cid:145)When a skeleton is animated, the Once the animus is housed in the bones, rying out their orders by destroying
enchantment accomplishes two things. the spell-caster tells it, in a few words, them(cid:151)or by evading them completely.(cid:148)
First, it knits the bones together magi- exactly what he wants it to do. Skeletons Hubert returned her gaze. (cid:147)Are skele-
cally, binding them with force drawn follow those orders exactly-no more, no tons always used as guards, or do they
from the Negative Energy Plane. Almost less. They behave rather brainlessly, actu- have other purposes too?(cid:148) he asked,
all the bones have to be there-without ally, taking those orders at their literal helping himself to the new pitcher.
mostly complete remains, the spell is face value. More than one necromancer Zag shrugged. (cid:147)That(cid:146)s their most com-
almost impossible to hold together. has been undone by wording skeleton mon use, I(cid:146)d say-either guarding a per-
(cid:147)Second, the spell binds energy called orders sloppily.(cid:148) son, or a place like Tynik(cid:146)s tomb. They(cid:146)re
the animus into the skeleton to animate A studious young man in robes put a too brainless to do much else. But they
it. That(cid:146)s not the same as the spirit or full pitcher on the table near the dwarf- make tenacious and ever-alert guards.
soul of the deceased. It is only a frag- ish cleric, then asked a question as he Besides obeying their orders to the letter,
ment of soul energy, the portion that refilled her mug. (cid:147)So you mean if a they are the easiest type of undead to
helped keep the soul in the living body. spell-caster tells a skeleton to guard an raise, and are relatively simple to create.
7
Of course, you only find them employed a bone does a lot less damage than slash- of Tynik, the Robber King. Zag was
by unscrupulous sorts who don(cid:146)t mind ing flesh would. Arrows and other mis- gone before Hubert could think of a
disturbing the remains of the dead. Then siles are next to useless, since they response.
again, they don(cid:146)t even exist among people glance off bones and fly right through
that practice cremation!(cid:146) the skeleton. Maces and blunt weapons Creature Notes
The robed fellow spoke up again. do wonders, though, smashing bones
(cid:147)Can a skeleton be raised if it(cid:146)s buried? into bits. They(cid:146)re the best hand weapon 1. Orders are given to a skeleton at
Or does it have to be uncovered first?(cid:148) to use against skeletons.(cid:148) the time the skeleton is animated. Once
Tarif frowned as she replied. (cid:147)No, (cid:147)Why didn(cid:146)t you just turn the skele- given, they cannot be revised unless the
skeletons can be raised right up out of ton instead?(cid:148) asked Hubert. animation spell is terminated and the
the ground. When the magic knits their (cid:147)I wasn(cid:146)t a cleric then!(cid:148) Zag laughed. undead raised a second time.
bones together, they(cid:146)re charged with (cid:147)It(cid:146)s hard to turn undead if you(cid:146)re not. 2. A spell-caster(cid:146)s orders cannot exceed
Negative Plane energy. This unnatural But, just as skeletons are the easiest 24 words in length. The shorter and
force has an (cid:145)unbinding(cid:146) effect on Prime undead to create, they(cid:146)re also the easi- more precise the orders are, the better
Material Plane matter, allowing the est to turn. So you have a good chance if chance there is for the skeleton to carry
skeleton to push and scramble its way you have a cleric along when you meet them out without error. If there is ambi-
out of the ground like a worm through a skeleton!(cid:146) guity in a skeleton(cid:146)s order when it is con-
sand. Or push the stone plug out of a (cid:147)I(cid:146)ve heard there are potions that turn fronted with a particular situation
crypt. And so on. But that burst of undead as well.(cid:148) It was the robed man ((cid:147)Guard this room(cid:148)), there is a 50%
energy fades after a minute or so, and again. chance that it will stand inactive and con-
then the skeleton is no more powerful Tarif shook her head. (cid:147)Not to turn fused. The remainder of the time, the
than a healthy man or dwarf!(cid:146) undead, really, but to control them, as if creature may interpret its order in any
The room fell quiet as listeners envi- they were charmed!(cid:146) The dwarf made a way the DM may conceive as being in
sioned skeletons rising from their face. (cid:147)If there(cid:146)s ever a disgusting thing accordance with the original wording.
graves. A few shuddered. to drink, a potion of undead control is 3. After the appropriate spell is cast,
(cid:147)Is there no protection against a sacri- it. The more powerful creature it(cid:146)s it takes one round for a skeleton(cid:146)s ani-
lege like that?(cid:148) grumbled Hubert, voic- made to control, the more nauseating mation to become complete. At the
ing the thought of many. the taste. Bleah.(cid:148) She shuddered. (cid:147)I(cid:146)ve DM(cid:146)s discretion, certain spell variations
(cid:147)Well, in fact, there is:(cid:148) said the cleric. known some people who couldn(cid:146)t keep may allow the skeleton to be raised
(cid:147)Not many bother to have it done, but one down, it(cid:146)s that bad. At least a potion from its grave. In such a case, one addi-
the clerical ceremony, eternal rest, of skeleton control isn(cid:146)t as awful as the tional round is required for it to free
drives the animus from one(cid:146)s remains rest. It(cid:146)s a gruesome brew to make, but itself if buried in the ground or sealed
and makes it impossible for the effective, if you can stand to swallow it.(cid:148) in a crypt. At the DM(cid:146)s discretion, this
deceased to be raised as any sort of On that appetizing note, the innkeep may take longer due to unusual circum-
undead creature. It(cid:146)s a rather costly announced that the roast was done. As stances. In certain situations, the
ceremony, and one not too many con- thirsty customers ordered their meals, undead cannot free itself at all (if, for
sider essential. But it can be done.(cid:148) their attention turned away from instance, it is sealed behind a brick wall
Hubert nodded thoughtfully as a Hubert and the dwarfish cleric. Tarif or buried beneath a landslide).
youth in a ring-mail vest spoke up. turned to the adventurer, looking sadly 4. The important ingredients for a
(cid:147)How hard is it to fight and destroy at his once-again empty pitcher. potion of skeleton control are ground
skeletons? I(cid:146)ve heard they(cid:146)re pretty (cid:147)Don(cid:146)t worry,(cid:148) she said under her bone (from the type of skeleton the
easy to kill-if that(cid:146)s the word for it.(cid:148) breath. (cid:147)At least the bones of your potion is to control); graveyard dirt;
(cid:147)They have a few quirks that are friend Rado will never be animated as mandrake root; hair from a cleric of
important to know about:(cid:146) replied Tarif. undead. I suppose those were his 10th-level or greater; and a dash of holy
(cid:147)Holy water or fire are especially useful remains I blessed with eternal rest.” or unholy water (depending on align-
against them. Holy water hurts skele- (cid:147)What?(cid:148) Hubert looked at Tarif, ment of user). This is the most palatable
tons because it undoes the Negative uncomprehending. of any potion of undead control.
Plane energy that binds them together. (cid:147)And here,(cid:148) said the cleric, placing a 5. Skeletons are immune to the
Fire burns them like it does a person, gold coin on the table in front of effects of charm, sleep, cold-based mag-
and you don(cid:146)t have to worry about your Hubert. (cid:147)Have dinner, on me. If you ic, and all spells which affect willpower.
aim too much when you use it. hadn(cid:146)t reduced the number of skele- Holy water inflicts 2d4 points of dam-
(cid:147)Swords, axes, spears(cid:151)all bladed tons guarding that tomb, I might not age on a skeleton, while sharp or bladed
weapons, in fact, do only about half the have made it in and out again. Thanks.(cid:148) weapons do only ‰ normal damage
damage you(cid:146)d expect them to. Slashing The coin was stamped with the mark (round down).
8
