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| − | This world is home to all manners of creature, not all of them number among the living. The [[Undead]] of Lume are corpses,or parts thereof, reanimated with [[Anima]], the intangible matter that has permeated the [[Lands of Lume|Continent]] since the reign of the [[Deumana]]. Revenants vary in intelligence, appearance and ability; given sufficient time and resources, they may develop beyond their meagre origins. Customarily the [[Undead]] prey on the living to maintain their reanimation, though the more resourceful of them find sustenance elsewhere. All Revenants are difficult to overcome; it is fortunate most [[Folk]] will live out their lives without an encounter.
| + | ==Undead== |
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| − | In regards to their origins, historically [[Casters|Necromancers]] are held responsible for the existence of [[Undead]]. The former argue that in most cases, the [[Casters|Caster]] was performing under duress, or the act committed by a renegade from the School. To their credit, and particularly since the calamity of the [[Liche Liege]], the [[Casters|Necromancer School]] has taken swift action upon hearing of crimes committed by one of their own. It should be noted that the [[Deumana]] - one demigod in particular - hold the dishonour of first reanimating the dead. | + | This world is home to all manners of creature, not all of them number among the living. The [[Undead]] of Lume are corpses,or parts thereof, reanimated with [[Anima]], the intangible matter that has permeated the [[Lands of Lume|Continent]] since the reign of the [[Deumana]]. Revenants vary in intelligence, appearance and ability; given sufficient time and resources, they may develop beyond their meager origins. Customarily the [[Undead]] prey on the living to maintain their reanimation, though the more resourceful of them find sustenance elsewhere. All Revenants are difficult to overcome; it is fortunate most [[Folk]] will live out their lives without an encounter. |
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| | + | In regards to their origins, historically [[Casters|Necromancers]] are held responsible for the existence of [[Undead]]. The former argue that in most cases, the [[Casters|Caster]] was performing under duress, or the act committed by a renegade from the School. To their credit, and particularly since the calamity of the [[Liche Liege]], the [[Casters|Necromancer School]] has taken swift action upon hearing of crimes committed by one of their own. It should be noted that the [[Deumana]] - one demigod in particular - hold the dishonor of first reanimating the dead. |
| | The [[Undead]] are customarily divided into two branches: the bipedal and humanoid [[Necrosapiens]], and their unnerving kin, the [[Abominations]]. | | The [[Undead]] are customarily divided into two branches: the bipedal and humanoid [[Necrosapiens]], and their unnerving kin, the [[Abominations]]. |
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| − | ==Abominations: ''[[Undead]] of unrecognizable origin'' == | + | ===Abominations: ''[[Undead]] of unrecognizable origin'' === |
| | These degraded creatures manifest in areas where [[Anima]] accumulates, principally in the fallout of a [[Casters|Casting]] battle, or as a result of sloppy [[Casters|castmanship]]. | | These degraded creatures manifest in areas where [[Anima]] accumulates, principally in the fallout of a [[Casters|Casting]] battle, or as a result of sloppy [[Casters|castmanship]]. |
| | + | *[[Blotch]] |
| | + | *[[Tickler]] |
| | + | *[[Manus]] |
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| − | ===Blotch=== | + | ===Necrosapiens=== |
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| + | Skeletal or decaying [[Undead]], these revenants differ from abominations in that they, at least physically, still resemble their former selves. Held together with [[Anima]] - the alchemical, genetic matter underlying Lume - it weaves unseen like sinews around its host. This ethereal matter cannot be made from naught, and the [[Casters|Necrocaster]] must siphon [[Anima]] from living hosts. Thankfully, most find this exchange to be irrational, not to mention ghastly. |
| − | A degenerate among horrors, '''Blotches''' are belligerent sacks of organs and other invertebrate flesh. Lacking the skeletal frame which muscles affix themselves to, these [[Undead]] propel themselves in wet, heaving lurches. The [[Anima]] possessing a '''Blotch''' pumps through the heaving mass in a sick parody of life. Driven by primal hunger, they leech the life from victims by enveloping them within their gelatinous mass. A sleeping traveller caught unawares may be smothered, suffocated and partially dissolved by sunrise.
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| − | '''Blotches''' are relatively scarce, and targeted for elimination by [[Casters]] when discovered. As with all the [[Casters|Revenants]], they are diffult to put down. Blunt trauma has little lasting impact, and piercing their flesh induces squirting jets of corrosive liquids. The cut then promptly heals over. Instead, relevant records advise immolation; they may also have their [[Anima]] drained by a skilled [[Casters|necromancer]], rendering them a lifeless mass.
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| − | Various records indicate that '''Blotches''' are born from the offal and remnants of the dead. They form where inept or uncontrolled [[Casters|Casting]] occurs near remains, the misdirected [[Anima]] reviving the spilled, cadaverous contents. It is no secret many a novice [[Casters|Necrocaster]] has produced one or two in their lifetime, if only to destroy them shortly after. A final, desperate tactic for [[Casters|Necromancers]] on the losing side of a battle is to [[Casters|Cast]] a '''Blotch''' from the entrails of a fallen combatant. Amidst these fertile surroundings they are prone to feast on the remains of the dead and dying. The following day the victors, still weary from conflict, are confronted by a towering gestalt of friend and foe.
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| − | '''''A well-placed '''Blotch''' can turn the tide after the battle is won.'''''
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| − | ===Paraspiders ''a.k.a. Ticklers''===
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| − | (Consider Osseopede, Calcipede, Aranach, spidoss)
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| − | These composites collect as an assortment of bones and osseous matter, sporting ghastly, makeshift legs that lend them an arachnid appearance. The skeletal union of several different creatures and devoid of flesh, they are the inverse of ''Blotches''. They have a symbiotic relationship with them, each feeding on different parts of their victims, though '''Paraspider''' sightings are by far more common.
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| − | Like their abominable kin they lack intellect; perhaps a mercy considering their disposition. Depending on their configuration, these creatures will adopt their own gaits, characteristics, and preferred prey. Ironically dubbed '''Ticklers''', they prefer to stab, tear and render their prey apart to reach the bones inside. Their destruction is challenging, and best accomplished by dismemberment, pulverization, and preferably followed by immolation. The sound of their joints clicking as they shamble is one of the few mercies offered by these [[Undead]].
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| − | '''''There are worse things than rodents in the labyrinths and catacombs of Lume.'''''
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| − | ===Manus===
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| − | The [[Frost Giants]] mutter of a time when, many [[Time|cycles]] after the [[Schism]], they battled a powerful enemy whose brash [[Casters]] attempted to raise fallen [[Frost Giants|Giants]]. The relics of this conflict are the '''Manus'''; immense amputated claws walking on the digits that remain to them, terrorizing the [[Lands of Lume|Waste]] between the [[Lands of Lume|Inland Forests]] and the northern [[Lands of Lume|Cerulean mountains]]. This choatic hellscape is resplendent with lighting-threaded sandstorms and uncanny volcanic activity; a seemingly endless stretch of blighted terrain. Violently inhospitable, the sandstorms alone are capable of scraping the landscape bare. These surroundings speak volumes of the beings that reside there.
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| − | Resistant to these madcap elemental forces due to their scale, density, and unliving nature, '''Manus''' can rival even a [[Walker]] of the [[Lands of Lume|Waste]], and often do. The bones have petrified in the arid conditions, their thick hides pulled tight over their frames, any moisture drained long ago. Unlike some of their [[Undead]] kin, they possess nor develop intelligence. It is believed they instinctively know the paths to follow that suffer least from the elemental rage of the region.
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| − | How the '''Manus''' came to be larger in scale than the limbs of their donors is a matter for dispute. It is possible that they grew in size over the many [[Time|Rotations]], or perhaps it is the [[Frost Giants]] that have diminished over this period. The [[Frost Giants|Giants]] are not forthcoming on this matter.
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| − | The speed of these necrotic sauropods is reported to be astounding for their size, records stating they can pounce frightful distances. Should a traveller traverse the [[Lands of Lume|Waste]] and survive the deadly conditions, they may find themselves pulverised by a descending digit. Memoirs of a survivor of one such ambush claims the predator then rolled in the pulped remains of her companions; a grisly spectacle that allowed the witness opportunity to flee its territory. It may be that this gory bathing ritual is a rudimentary means of absorbing living matter and [[Anima]]. Unsurprisingly, noone has volunteered to investigate.
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| − | '''''Prudent wanderers of the [[Lands of Lume|Waste]] would be wise to keep an assortment of distractions on hand - fireworks, even a kite - anything capable of diverting attention well away from themselves.'''''
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| − | ==Necrosapiens==
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| − | Skeletal or decaying [[Undead]], these revenants differ from abominations in that they, at least physically, still resemble their former selves. Held together with [[Anima]] - the alchemical matter underlying Lume - it weaves unseen like sinews around its host. Being [[Undead]], they are resilient creatures, to eliminate them qualifies violent dismemberment. Their animation exacts a heavy toll during [[Casters|Casting]], and demands long years of study. Revenants can linger long after their creator's intentions, or indeed the creator themselves.
| + | Being [[Undead]], they are resilient creatures, to eliminate them qualifies violent dismemberment. Their animation exacts a heavy toll during [[Casters|Casting]], and demands long years of study. Revenants can linger long after their creator's intentions, or indeed the creator themselves. |
| | + | *[[Clinker]] |
| | + | *[[Skullcap]] |
| | + | *[[Torch]] |
| | + | *[[Stinker]] |
| | + | *[[Marrow]] |
| | + | *[[Morgus]] |
| | + | *[[Bog fiend]] |
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| | ===Necrofauna=== | | ===Necrofauna=== |
| − | | + | *[[Fray]] |
| − | ====Frays====
| + | *[[Gestalt]] |
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| + | *[[Corpse tree]] |
| − | Not all the [[Undead]] found on '''Lume''' are humanoid. The corpses of beasts are also put to use, serving as steeds, servants, even hunters. Stalwart creatures that require little sustenance, they can, for long periods, be tasked with guarding sanctuaries and other areas of import. '''Frays''' are the historically preferred choice for reanimation by [[Casters|Necrocasters]], however the practice has dwindled since the aftermath of the [[Liche Liege]].
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| − | For undocumented reasons, '''Frays''' are restored with an intellect proportionate to their acumen before death. All '''Necrofauna''' learn via osmosis, increasingly so if the creature keeps regular company with the living. [[Kor]], the skeletal familiar of the healer and necromancer [[Mestat]], is one such creature. While it could be argued that cleverness makes them no less dangerous, they can be reasoned with, and as such are the most widely accepted of all the [[Undead]].
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| − | There is great diversity among their number; only the ability of the [[Casters|Caster]] limits the target of revivification. The beasts may be large or small, skeletal or cadaverous, and still others ablaze. Records predating the [[Liche Liege]] indicate that '''Frays''' may develop over time, growing in size and ability, picking up a few tricks along the way.
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| − | ====Gestalts====
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| − | Less common than frays, reports of gestalts are few, possibly because thier creation is doubly diffuclt. Gestalts are an [[Undead]] assemblage of various non-human corpses. If a [[Casters|Caster]] desires a familiar with certain abilities, they may construct one from the corpses of animals with the necessary attributes. Technically challenging, but possible for a skilled anatomist. Most challenging for the [[Casters|Caster]] is to unite the...''components''...well enough so as to prevent the'''Gestalt''' from falling apart or tearing itself to pieces. The failures would seem to account for some of the number of [[Undead]] '''Abominations'''.
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| − | '''''Where wass'I? Critters! Yeah, right, so, while this old coot jabbered on, this winged-feline...''thing'' just sat perched there on his shoulder, happy as you like, bits fallin' off'a'it like soggy bloody seaweed! I'm no artiste, but I think it wasn't, y'know...stewed right.'''''
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| − | Entry in progress
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Undead
This world is home to all manners of creature, not all of them number among the living. The Undead of Lume are corpses,or parts thereof, reanimated with Anima, the intangible matter that has permeated the Continent since the reign of the Deumana. Revenants vary in intelligence, appearance and ability; given sufficient time and resources, they may develop beyond their meager origins. Customarily the Undead prey on the living to maintain their reanimation, though the more resourceful of them find sustenance elsewhere. All Revenants are difficult to overcome; it is fortunate most Folk will live out their lives without an encounter.
In regards to their origins, historically Necromancers are held responsible for the existence of Undead. The former argue that in most cases, the Caster was performing under duress, or the act committed by a renegade from the School. To their credit, and particularly since the calamity of the Liche Liege, the Necromancer School has taken swift action upon hearing of crimes committed by one of their own. It should be noted that the Deumana - one demigod in particular - hold the dishonor of first reanimating the dead.
The Undead are customarily divided into two branches: the bipedal and humanoid Necrosapiens, and their unnerving kin, the Abominations.
Abominations: Undead of unrecognizable origin
These degraded creatures manifest in areas where Anima accumulates, principally in the fallout of a Casting battle, or as a result of sloppy castmanship.
Necrosapiens
Skeletal or decaying Undead, these revenants differ from abominations in that they, at least physically, still resemble their former selves. Held together with Anima - the alchemical, genetic matter underlying Lume - it weaves unseen like sinews around its host. This ethereal matter cannot be made from naught, and the Necrocaster must siphon Anima from living hosts. Thankfully, most find this exchange to be irrational, not to mention ghastly.
Being Undead, they are resilient creatures, to eliminate them qualifies violent dismemberment. Their animation exacts a heavy toll during Casting, and demands long years of study. Revenants can linger long after their creator's intentions, or indeed the creator themselves.
Necrofauna
