U is for Undead animals

Undead animals - more than flesh and bones


Most of the time, undead are humanoids or mighty monsters. There are only few animals presented as undead or as only the skeleton of their former self. Let’s have a look why necromancers must invest more time on animals and why players should be worried to find an animated dog skeleton, a ghoulish cat or zombified goose.

Necromancers focus more on the animals rather than humanoids. Because that is what a truly evil and smart one would do, at the beginning.

  • Common animals are, well, common to find. Losing one is not an issue as they are so easy to replace.
  • Few people will look for missing duck. Unless they are low level, so worse case that a proper source of still required humanoid victims.
  • Animal have natural instinct that are easier to control and trigger. Their mind is less likely to resist and kickbacks are less damaging. 
  • When increasing in power, the tasks to unload on apprentices to keep them from plotting too much against self. 
Then the next question is what kind of undead to use for a given task.

  • Skeletons are great as workbeast as they can carry more weight is they have less flesh. Using them as cavalry is a typical specialization. Moreover smaller framed animals like rats, bats, cats make very good scrying units.
  • Ghouls are great when speed and ferocity are required. For instance, for guarding a lair or used for weakening enemies. They are good containment units to use while briefing more powerful or intelligent one to do the job. In that context using a base animal with a natural facility in these area is an advantage. A bear protecting a cavern, eagle or vulture protecting the outside of a tower, wild boar patrolling the fields around that same tower, rabbits patrolling pipes and vents of the tower. Lynx or wolf using hit and run tactics. Options are endless so bring a lot of variation.
  • Zombies are resistant but slow. Using a fast animal as base material can surprise your enemies. Zombified cats or dog are nice to have. Same regarding the ducks and goose you can find almost everywhere. Zombies are also good for novice and apprentice or anytime the animal is too strong or powerful. In that situation have a direct control and slow reaction is the best way not to be destroyed.
  • Ethereal are best used with animals used to move in three dimensions, like birds, fishes. A ethereal trout or nightingale is scary and nasty when properly used. Think about all the possibilities with eels or crows! 
So undead animal can be efficiently and creatively used. They offer real challenge and diversity. Check all previous entries for base animal to use.

-JMT

Popular posts from this blog

[D&D 5e] Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden 17

The party left the ice fortress to check out the dead body we heard was frozen in the ice halfway up the island. The body was of Nas. It turned out she was still there in spirit, and she possessed Vael. In Vael’s body, she went after the Codicil that Ylenn had her face stuck in. When Vael couldn’t get to Ylenn, Nas possessed Prax instead. Prax also couldn’t get there, as Ylenn cast Hold Person on him, and the rest of the party dragged him away from Nas’ dead body. After he was far enough away, the spirit had to return to the dead body…which Morgan had burned to a crisp. We got the orb containing Professor Scant from Nas’ dead body. We circled the island, looking for the whale or another good way off. We couldn’t find one. Ylenn said she could summon the whale, if we could just last the night. We made a lean-to to sleep in and keep cover from the roc. As an octopus, Morgan was able to get some sail from a sunken ship to cover our lean-to. He also was able to find a huge treasure che
Read more

Thoughts on Stalwart Adventures 3

I think we were all done with fighting goblins. The DM had the pack leader in the next room. He gave himself up and assured us the goblins (and his ogre) would leave us alone. The rest of the night (until the end) was exploring. It’s really good to mix in the exploring after so much fighting. I still need to get better at Find/Remove Traps, as one blasted me pretty good.  I played the character a little more chaotic, and it was kind of fun. Probably not the type of fun that the other PCs feel they can rely on to watch their back, though. The fun thing about chaotic neutral is I can lean into it whenever I’m looking to spice things up. The rest of the time I can be more reasonable and reliable. The cleric held its own again. I really think he may be the best option for fighting the alpha werewolf. We’ll have to talk it over and see what the others think. I know Zak isn’t the best choice! If we can defeat the alpha wolf, it should wrap up this little adventure nicely. 
Read more

Thoughts on Stalwart Adventures 2

I like to increase thieving skills as I practice them, unless I know for sure there is something else I want to improve during downtime. In the last sitting, I mostly used Hide in Shadows and Find/Remove Traps. Once I get high enough level, I’ll be using an Invisibility spell to hide. Until then, I need to keep using and increasing this skill. We should get enough XP for me to go up to wizard level 2. That will get me 1-2 HP, and every HP is precious for this character. Also, I get a second first level spell. Sleep is great, but I do look forward to a second utility spell I can use. I like the idea of Spider Climb, but my Climb Walls is already 70%. Maybe I can brainstorm some cool ways to use Phantasmal Force. I wasn’t as good with my attack rolls, which is really what I would expect over a larger number of tries. The group fighter got a lot better, also as expected. The cleric is a beast. He really optimized his character build and the benefits of a specialty priest. That’s defini
Read more