Twisting Undead (and Liches)

Incorporeal and possessive demons underly most of Lefort’s fantasy antics: monsters, wizards, and also the undead. Undead are similar to other kinds of demon-possessed creatures (like minotaurs being demon-possessed cows), except the creature in this case is a corpse.

Undead, like zombies or wights, are summoned magically by inviting a demon through occult ritual into a corpse to possess. And undead, like skeletons, are still encountered naturally, demon-possessed bones wandering around with semi-sentient abandon. Most demons are powerful enough to possess whole graveyards’ worth of corpses, making chaotic deals with warlocks and liches for undead armies.

Ghostly and specterish undead, like wraiths, are transitory souls that demons have latched on to in the same way, favoring their natural state of incorporeality.

Twisting Liches

Argus, the Wizard-King of Argusdoom

Wizards who seek to extend their lifespan can become a lich. Wizards of any alignment can become a lich, but the process always shifts the wizard’s alignment one tick towards chaotic: L>N>C>?

Liches are wizards who make deals with ancient demons, inviting these spirits via occult spellwork to possess themselves in a magical Dragon-Ball-or-Steven-Universe-style fusion. The reason liches are so neurotic and unpredictable is that they live a double life, much like Eddy Brock and Venom. The demon half of the lich wants to use this newfound power to cause chaos, and the wizard half of the lich wants to protect their immortality in a twisted inner tug-of-war of self-preservation versus self-destruction.

What are the 1d6 (demon-possessed) undead doing?

1. Playing cards, enjoying corporeality.

2. Skinning wild cats and dogs.

3. Creating a twisted facsimile of a family.

4. Setting everything on fire.

5. Following travelers very slowly, and then freezing when the traveler looks in their direction.

6. Wandering around, arms raised, moaning.

7. Hunting buried treasure, covered in salvaged armor.

8. Challenging passerbys to armed combat, all of them wielding rusted rapiers.

9. Turning themselves into musical instruments.

10. They’re a part of the Wizard-King Argus’ army! They were [roll again], but now they’re trying to take you prisoner.

Listened to “In The Wake Of Poseidon” by King Crimson.



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