Undead - the Deathless and the Faded

'But, Master, how can you help?' Squint whined, furtively looking out the tower window. In the distance the shambling movement of an Undead horde slowly and inexorably approached. 'I think we have only hours left before they are upon us, and the militia is no match for those...things. Help will not arrive in time' Squint rubbed his hands nervously and looked back at his master. 'We should be gathering our things and leaving like the rest of the townsfolk.' Squint reached for a sack and started to gather some food and trinkets for the upcoming evacuation.
Tormond calmly reached up to the top shelf and carefully pulled out an old tome, blowing the dust off of it. Apparently it had not seen use in a while. 'Calm yourself, Squint,' Tormond said reassuringly. 'I knew this day would come eventually.' He laid the book on the table in the centre of the room, as the sigils came to life, glowing and shifting with the presence of the old tome. 'All the work we have done in the past few years have given us the tools we need to defend ourselves and the good citizens of Yorecaster.' He opened the book straight to the page he was looking for. 'We only need to hold them off for a few hours.'
Squint looked confused and tried to recollect what they had done to help them get out of this predicament. His mind was racing in fear and anxiety. 'What have we done, Master? We have treated the sick and dying, and for some reason, you have paid the families to keep the bodies of those that have died.' Squint's confusion continued. 'We have gathered the bones of animals and people for the last two years. I have catalogued them, and then filled out the pits.' He shuddered at the memory of all of his hard work, though never really understanding why. 'Our basement is almost overflowing with skeletal remains.' He glanced out the window again, fearful to see where the horde was. 'How is that going to help us with...this?'
Tormond grew serious and barked at Squint, 'what kind of Undead are in that horde, Squint! It is important!' Squint looked out and tried to ascertain for his master, but he didn't really know the difference. Undead were undead. He prefered the dead to stay still. He didn't really like when they moved around. 'Well!' Tormond said. 'Are they just Deathless, Constructs, or are there any Faded amongst them?'
Squint stammered and sputtered. 'Uh, I think...I mean...it looks like just Deathless?'
Annoyed, Tormond rose from his seat and went to the window. He breathed a sigh. 'Looks like just Deathless. That's good.' His calm demeanour returned and he sat back down again at the book. Squint was chagrined but there was time for that later, he told himself.
Tormond traced his boney fingers over the words, reciting them quietly at first. He paused, looking to Squint. 'You must attend your master now, Squint.' He sat down and looked on the book with care. 'This is not going to be easy, so you need to ensure I do not fail.' As Squint obeyed his master, tormond patted his hand. 'I trust you, Squint. I know you will keep me alive'. Then he began to whisper the words of the spell at first, getting louder as he went.
Squint looked around, wondering what was going to happen. He didn't have to wait long. At first he thought it was an earthquake, as the foundations of the tower shuddered and vibrated. Their front door, large as it was, was not enough to contain the figures that burst through it. Squint risked a glance out the tower window to see the skeletons rise and form ranks outside. The size of the force continued to grow, as skeletons of many shapes, sizes, and strange contorted figures gathered before their eventual march toward the horde approaching. Squint's eyes grew wide, and he heard his master cough, shaking him from his wonder. He returned to his master's side, bringing water, some cloths, and a pillow, just in case.
The battle was joined, Undead against Undead, Constructs against Deathless...
Hours later Squint returned from the kitchen with a hot bowl of soup for his master. Resting in bed after his grueling ordeal, Tormond gratefully took the bowl and ate slowly. After a few minutes, he looked to Squint with soft eyes. 'My boy, why could you not tell the difference between the Deathless and the Faded? You have obviously neglected your studies,' he chastised. Squint looked away from his master's gaze. 'Knowing the difference could be a matter of life or death...pardon the pun.' Tormond tried to keep a straight face but soon began snickering at his own joke. Soon, Squint was joining in the laughter and the two relaxed for a bit, knowing the threat was ended...for now.

The dead walk the earth on Aerith and take on many forms. How they are created, and how they function are topics discussed endlessly in academic environments, in temples and taverns, or as superstiitions across the many different cultures of the world.
Typically they are separated into two different and distinct categories - the Deathless and the Faded. There is a third category, but somewhat unrelated. Those are the Undead Constructs. Reanimated puppets created to serve a purpose and a master, or as byproducts from some actions by the Faded.
At its basest form, Undead are the undying creatures that have not been able to fully leave this world, whether it is physically, mentally, or spiritually. They take on many forms, some material, some immaterial, and some a combination of the two. As many creatures in Aerith, we can easily see a progression as some of these Undead advance into greater representations of their nature. Listed below are the types of Undead, how they are categorized, and their prominent traits.

The Deathless:

The Deathless are typically the result of necromantic magic, or ancient spells, but can sometimes form naturally or through some transient means, like staying in the Witch Queen's Domain for too long. All Deathless have lost their connection to their spirit, but some have retained their mental or physical traits.

• Zombies/Ghouls/Wights
• Mummy Lords
• Shadows

The Faded:

The Faded can be created through a variety of means, including necromantic magic, ancient spells, or through some transient means, like staying in the Witch Queen's Domain for too long. They can also be created as byproducts of other Faded actions. The Faded have retained their connection to their spiritual trait, though corrupted, twisted, and faded. Some have retained their mental and/or physical traits as well.

• Poltergeist/Ghost/Wraith
• Revenant

Adherent Faded:

• Vampire
• Lich Apprentice
• Death Knight Squire

Eminent Faded:

• Vampire Lord
• Death Knight
• Lich

Undead Constructs:

Undead Constructs are created, or crafted as reanimated skeletons, flesh golems, mummies, or spectres, depending on the source. Constructs are created with a purpose, or have a strong connection to their master and are not formed naturally. They have no spiritual connection.

• Skeleton
• Flesh Golem
• Mummies
• Spectre

Deathless

Zombies

_(physical)
Zombies are the foot soldiers of the Undead. Made of purely physical traits, Zombies have no drive, thought, or self-determination. They exist to kill and will do so indiscriminantly unless directed otherwise by a master. Zombies consist of rotting corpses, in various stages of decay. Some zombies can be close to what they looked like before death, depending on how well they were preserved or how recently they died. Some can be near skeletons with flesh sloughing off their bodies when they walk, or anywhere inbetween. Zombies rise when the right magic is present, either purposeful, as in a spell or magic item, or through exposure to corrupting energies, as within the Witch Queen's Domain. Typically a zombie is that of a humanoid but there are many variants of zombies that exist and there is nothing preventing any creature from rising as a zombie in most circumstances. Some creatures may be immune to the corrupting influence, but they are few.

Ghouls

_{(physical and mental)}
Ghouls are a more advanced form of zombies, and have retained some semblance of their mental traits, though greatly reduced. They can be canny and tricky, and can use tactics or teamwork with others (most often ghouls). They tend to focus on one thing, which is usually killing, but not always. Ghouls can most often be seen wearing tattered clothes, or occasionally nothing, and some are even robed in their once finest attire that is worn and threadbare. Like their flesh, their clothing has degraded but still shows some semblance of what they once were in life. Ghouls can be made with any creature but are far more rare to see other than humanoids.

Wights

_{(physical and mental)}
Wights are the most advanced form of zombie, and have not only retained some semblance of their mental traits, but have a closeness to their spiritual nature, though not intact. They can look the most like they did in life, but always dark, rough, leathery skin, and sunken eyes that flash with intelligence. A wight has full use of its mental capacity and can wield weapons, wear armour, form groups, and use tactics. Some wights have been known to lead units, or even small armies, though not typically of their own volition. A wight may not always fight to kill, or may even tactically retreat if necessary. Wights are almost exclusively humanoid but those that are not are quite frightening.

Mummy Lords

_{(physical and mental)}
Mummy Lords, unlike their lesser counterparts, were provided the whole mummification process, and as such, they have retained the full use of their mental traits, as well as their physical ones. Mummy Lords can command other mummies, and are often the leaders of the guard, or hold a place of prominence. When a mummy lord reanimates from the trigger they will typically go and reanimate their lesser mummy charges to fulfil their task. Mummy Lords will go back to their sarcophagus when their task is complete.

Shadows

_(mental)
Shadows are pure mental energy corrupted by Undead energies. They form when their death is sudden and complete, with no physical form left behind. Being disintegrated, or incinerated instantly are some examples of how a shadow might form, though not the only ways. Their body destroyed and their spirt fled to the Umbra, all that remains is the mind, and a shadow of their former form, to occupy it. Shadows are shackled by their last thoughts before they died, and while some may be sad, angry, or vengeful, there are others who are wandering, aimless, or even happy (though muted and lessened). They want others to feel what they feel so if they are angry, they want to instill anger in others, if they are sad they look to perpetuate sadness, and if they are happy they are looking to share in the happiness of others. They will never feel accomplishment or fulfillment from these actions but they are cursed to follow them.

Faded

Poltergeists.

_(spiritual)
Poltergeists are the lowest form of Faded and have no physical or mental traits. They are immaterial, cannot be seen, or heard, but they can definitely be felt. They are wandering souls who have lost their connection to some item or place that was important to them in their former life. Once they can be reunited with their source of attachment they will become tethered to the place, person, or object and become a ghost.

Ghosts.

_{(spiritual and mental)}
Ghosts are poltergeists who have connected with their source of attachment and have now tethered themselves to the world. They will remain with their source until they have completed their quest or goal that will release them. Ghosts have now become visible, you can hear them, and they have access to their full mental traits. They have no physical form though.

Wraiths

_{(spiritual, mental, and physical)}
Wraiths are the result of a poltergeist or ghost's source of attachment being destroyed, or if their quest or goal can no longer be fulfilled. They are extremely angry spirits at this point, and have the ability affect the world physically, mentally, and spiritually. Wraiths are difficult to bargain with, and usually only have one thing on their mind, vengeance. There can be a rhyme and reason to where they focus their vengeance, but they are not too fussy about collateral damage. A creature who is destroyed by a wraith becomes a spectre, under the control of the wraith who killed them. They become an Undead Construct but have retained their mental traits, as well as a semblance of their physical form.

Revenant

(spiritual, mental, and physical)
Revenants are the result of corrupted souls and form the generic creature that is created when becoming a Faded. They can be created by being exposed to necromantic energies, like the Domain of the Witch Queen, or by concentrated effort by an Eminent Faded to create them. Revenants retain some memory of their former lives but their perceptions are warped and twisted by the nature of their corruption. When a revenant is created by the actions of an Emiment Faded, they often take on the appearance, subtly or overtly, of their creator. Vampire-created revenants might have fangs or pale skin; Lich-created revenants might have sunken eyes, or sallow skin; a Death Knight-created revenant might have burning eyes, or a deep resonant voice.
Eminent Faded, or powerful necromancers might use Revenants as the main thrust of an Undead army, or as a main force for their stronghold.

Adherent Faded

Those that were either attendants to more powerful personalities in life, or those as they are created by the Eminent Faded are listed below. They retain all three traits but each has at least one that is more prominent.

Vampire

_(mental)
Vampires are created when a Vampire Lord performs a ritual to turn a creature into a vampire. They retain all their traits and can pass as their former selves much of the time, with some limitations. They each have their own personalities, and much of their former self can be seen in their desires and action, but the corruption of undeath has skewed their perception of the world. They live to serve their lord and try to perpetuate their master's control over their dominion when they can. Vampires are cruel, selflish, and petty, like many of their masters.

Lich Apprentice

_(spiritual)
A Lich Apprentice is created when a Lich has tethered the mind of a creature to their phylactery. The unfortunate creature is instantly turned into a Faded under the control of the Lich. Liches can only have two apprentices at once. Many Liches do not want a powerful apprentice as Liches can be sometimes petty and jealous, and covet their own knowledge and power. Some prefer to have weaker and more subservient apprentices under them. In either case, the apprentices serve their master well, and provide additional magical support, knowledge, defense, and sometimes resource gathering.

Death Knight Squire

_(physical)
A Death Knight Squire is created when a Death Knight corrupts a worthy creature and binds them to their service for as long as they are both active. Sometimes a Death Knight Squire can be created if they served the Death Knight in their former life, before they were corrupted. Death Knight Squires are loyal to their Knight and perform all tasks a regular squire would. They are devout, fervent believers in their lord and will do whatever it takes to prove themselves.

Eminent Faded

Faded that were more powerful, prominent, or possess great strength of mind, body, or personality may become one of these when they die.

Vampire Lord

_(mental)
Vampire Lords are cruel, malevolent, and plotting, looking for the best ways to inflict emotional and physical hardship on their victims, and their families. They do not like being subservient to anyone, though it does happen. Most of them will try to find a way to break any hold others have over them, risking much if they need to. They are master manipulators and can weave intricate plots, ensnare multiple people, and facilitate chaos and hardship easily. Those powerful souls that have a mental affinity become Vampire Lords when they become Faded. Vampire Lords can create four connected and attuned vampires that form their entourage. The vampires serve their lord effectively, though they are not mindless slaves. They have their own personalities, relationships, and goals, though never at the expense of their master.

Lich

^(spiritual)
Liches are the ultimate expression of magic attainment. They strive to become magic, everlasting. They seek the pinnacle of magical might and knowledge and will stop at nothing to attain it. They are far-thinking, patient, and very talented at their craft. Those powerful souls that have a spiritual affinitity become Liches when they become Faded. Liches can create two apprentices, but they can be of varying power. Some create a powerful one to be their right-hand and a lesser apprentice, while some create two equally useful servants to help them.

Death Knight

_(physical)
Death Knights were powerful and physical personalities in life that often held the role of warriors, paladins, priests, or large figures. Those powerful souls that have a physical affinity will turn into a Death Knight when they become Faded. Death Knights can create one squire that serves them loyally until death, performing all necessary tasks that are required. A Death Knight Squire exists only to serve their lord and will never think of betraying or going against their will.

Undead Constructs

Skeletons

_(physical)
Skeletons are the reanimated bones and remains of dead creatures. They are purposefully crafted and reanimated; they do not rise from exposure to necromantic energies as a matter of course. They are the servants, soldiers, and guards of necromancers, and powerful spellcasters that have been created for a specific purpose. Skeletons can wield weapons, use rudimentary tools, can wear armour, and can use their boney fingers to manipulate objects. They do not speak and have no memory of their former lives, regardless of how recent it was, or how intact their body is.

Flesh Golems

_(physical)
Flesh Golems are the more advanced form of the physical Undead Construct. Stitching togethers parts of various creatures to form a single mass that can act, fight, and guard, those who raise these constructs have found them extremely useful and powerful. However, they take much more time and resources to contruct so they are far more rare. Flesh Golems have prodigious strength and can be very formidable combatants. Some Flesh Golems are created with the ability to speak but it is always broken and halting. They all can understand the language they were created with and take commands easily.
Mummies (physical)
Mummies are created when buried using a mummification process. They do not randomly appear, and only form when they have gone through the mummification process, but that does not mean that all creatures that have gone through that process will rise as mummies. They are used primarily as guards or protectors of tombs or dedicated places. Mummies are made up of any creature but typically those of lower station that have not gone through the entire, lengthy mummification process. When a mummy is created a trigger is set that will cause the mummy to animate and rise from their sarcophagus or resting place. They will perform their duties and when they have completed they return to their resting place and become inert again. Most often the triggers reset and the mummy will continue to perform their assigned task until destroyed or the trigger is changed or destroyed.
Mummies can also be created and controlled by a Mummy Lord.

Spectres

_(mental)
Spectres are created when a creature is killed by a Wraith.  They become a servant of the Wraith that killed them and will follow their commands if given any.  They have no physical or spiritual connection to the world anymore and exist only as a mental construct.  Spectres have limited memories of their former life, but it will fade eventually.