Listen carefully. That is your fate, soon.
The Squirming Standard of Dread is a enchanted battle-standard, albeit one that more closely resembled a gibbet cage than anything else. Its powers strike dread into the heart of all who can hear them and have caused entire armies to route before the lines were even closed when massed in sufficient number. Even those who are not affected by its magical power find it difficult not to be disquieted, for the Squirming Standard is topped by a still-living body, wailing and crying from its enchanted cage.
Description
The Squirming Standard is centered around the living, either latched to a pole in a crucified position or strapped to a rack at the end. No two standards are the same, but there is always the victim at the end. The unfortunate soul is contorted into some unbearable pose, limbs twisted around, nails hammed into or skin flayed back and held aloft by a metal frame. It is only the powerful necromantic enchantments of the Standard that keeps its victim alive and aware.
Because of its size, the Squirming Standard is rarely carried except by the largest creatures. More often, they are placed on carts and wagons, pulled by either the deaf or the dead. Despite the enchantments forced into the victim, death and decay is inevitable. This doesn't stop the cries of pain or pleading for mercy, even as the victim passes beyond the veil. Even dead, they still scream, until their vocal cords rot away and the victim must be replaced.
Power
Those who hear the wailing of the Squirming Standard are struck with horrid fear. The more clearly they can hear the screams, the more tightly horror grips their heart and only warriors with courage or will can stand fast in its presence. As the victim on the Standard decays and rots, the magical effect is lessened - only the freshest screams elicit the strongest response. Even without its magic, many look upon the horrific display and feel their bravery falter.
Using the Standard is most common among the undead, as there is no way to shield ones own troops from the wailing cries of the standard. Others device various schemes to use it, such as deafening their own troops or gagging the Squirming Standard until it need to be used. If the victim is removed from the pole, only the most powerful healing magic can save them. Otherwise, they will quickly die and the dreadful screams are quieted.
Construction
Squirming Standards often use
Grave-Iron to build its torturous implements, serving both as the vehicle of pain for the poor victim and as a channel of necromantic energies. But their proximity cause other problems - woods rots away faster and even iron slowly decays in the presence of grave-iron. Most poles are heavy things, able to carry both the body and whatever display they are bound to. Eventually, even the most sturdy standard must be changed - as long as the grave-iron display remains intact, so is the enchantments.
No matter what form they take, the grave-iron displays that hold they victim are designed to also maintain its necromantic power. Runes, magical gems or other resonant components are critical features of its construction. So too is the victim, the first of which must be bound to the display as it is being enchanted.
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