Nachzehrer

Undead are found across the world of Varda, and one particular horrific variant is known as the Nachzehrer. Its name originating in the region known as The Shattered Realm, a Nachzehrer is terrifying, skeletal creature that rises from the grave to haunt those it knew in life. These monsters are seen as a curse upon their family, seeking relentless revenge for improper burial rites by hunting their loved ones In other regions of Varda, they are known as Gravesbane, Morrkaar and Charnhast.

Appearance and Behaviour

Appearing as a ghastly figure, a Nachzehrer will be unrecognisable from who they were in life. Mostly skeletal with a few scraps of decayed flesh still clinging to it, the most distinguishing features are the long, razor-sharp claws at the end of its bony fingers.

A Nachzehrer often returns from death a few months after burial, but in some cases this has taken years. Often buried, it will claw its way out to the surface, where it then proceeds with unrelenting determination to seek out those it knew in life. These will be the prey of the Nachzehrer; close family members and acquaintances, who will often show strange signs that something is amiss. The feeling of being watched, frequent goosebumps and “shivers down the spine” are all signs that an individual is being hunted by a Nachzehrer.

At night, the undead will stalk towards its victim slowly, finding shelter in a discreet location during day. Once it has reached its target, it will stop at nothing to find its vengeance, its long claws flaying flesh from bone until the victim is killed.

Signs of Presence

Signs of a Nachzehrer can be particularly hard to identify, as they mostly affect the victims it seeks to slay:

• Gravesite Disturbance: The emergence of a Nachzehrer is marked by its grave or burial mound being clawed at from within, although this can often be very similar to other Undead creatures.
• Victim's Reactions: Those targeted by a Nachzehrer often experience the feeling of being watched and a perpetual chill, despite the temperature. As the creature draws nearer, sudden bouts of goosebumps, inexplicable shivers and the sensation of unseen fingers brushing against their skin are also common.
• Nightly Sightings: Depending on the distance it must travel, a Nachzehrer may encounter others during its nightly hunts. Those that see it do so at a distance, and find it disappears if they lose sight of it. On rare occasions, a Nachzehrer has attacked others who have stood in its way, although it always simply disables these interlopers instead of killing them outright.

Known Lore (In-World)

A common belief amongst superstitious communities is that a Nachzehrer is created when a person who died had unresolved hatred, especially to someone it knew in life. Others believe that if the decease's name remains stitched into their burial garments. of the recently deceased, it will rise again as a Nachzehrer. This belief coincides with several religious practices on burying the dead, and many cultures take great care with funeral rites. In some regions, it is said the creature feeds on its own shroud until it gains the strength to rise.

Folk remedies to prevent the Nachzehrer include decapitating the corpse before burial or driving a heavy stone into the coffin lid. In some cultures, placing a coin in the mouth or removing all clothing from the deceased was believed to prevent their return.

There is said to be one true method to stop a Nachzehrer once it has began its hunt. Simply beating the creature is not enough, and given time, it will regenerate and continue its implacable pursuit. To ensure this doesn't happen, the head must be removed and the corpse returned to its grave. It must then be given a funeral, with all rites and practices carried out correctly, although these vary across religions.

True Origins

The following is for world-building purposes only – no Character or mortal found within Varda will be privy to such information (although Divine or Otherworldly Beings may be).

A Nachzehrer comes into existence when an individual dies but is not ready to leave their loved ones behind. The soul of the deceased latches onto their body, neither returning to The Weave or getting stuck in The Ethereal Plane to become a spirit. This alone is not enough for the corpse to reanimate, but is the first step to the creation if a Nachzehrer.

It is when the body is laid to rest via the customary funeral traditions that a corpses fate may be sealed. Many cultures have differing ways to respect the dead, but if these are performed incorrectly on a body that still has its soul attached, it can cause a Nachzehrer to come into being. Knowing that the funeral rites have been done incorrectly, the soul will see this is a slight. It will begin to fester a hatred aimed towards those it deemed responsible for seeing it laid to rest so poorly; its closest loved ones.

Over months this hatred will grow, and eventually the corpse will reanimate as a Nachzehrer and begin its hunt.

Type
Medium Undead
Location
Graveyards, Crypts, Cemetaries, Tombs