Zombies

Among the various classifications of the undead, the Zombie (Corpus) looms large in most folklore, tales, and stories more seasoned Adventurous tell the young and upcoming ones.

Zombies belong to the larger undead classification of Physical (or Corporeal) Undead. They have bodies and what appears to be inhabiting spirits or souls. As the young necrobiologist learns in the elementary text, Dead but Not Gone: A Guide to Unlife Identification, zombies are dead bodies that had souls or spirits stuffed into them. Thus the inhabiting spirit may not in fact be the original one. Magic, twisted awry can also lead to zombification.

Like other Undead, there is no known Zombie society, breeding population, or culture.

As with the other groupings of Undead, Zombies can be found in a variety of environments and do not need a steady food supply*. However, should a creature wander within reach, the zombie will attack and attempt to devour portions of the creature. Although legend states brains is the favorite food of the zombie, this has not been conclusively proven.

Most zombies have elongated nails and teeth from their original, base form. Perhaps it is a function of the dark magic animating them or perhaps merely the flesh pulling away. Either way this enables their bare hands attack to be fearsome, often leaving long, gouged furrows in the flesh of their opponents.

The environment has some impact on a zombie but not a great deal. While it is true the Corpus Sandus is more desiccated in comparison with Corpus Groanus removal of the head will still sometimes reveal a somewhat gooey interior.

Moaning Swamp Zombie

Corpus Groanus dwells deep in the swamps, near caves where it can avoid the light. Its hide is a mottled green and reports have come of it floating in algae-covered water and being mistaken for a log or part of the swamp itself. It is most frequently found lurking in the damp coolness of the cave complex.

Cellar Zombies

The various subspecies of Corpus Cellarus appear only to inhabit one area – that of the basements in Dundee. How they came here is unknown. There are however two types – the common zombie and the more dangerous Adventurous. The common zombie appears rather more battered, perhaps the original corpse was more seriously damaged when it was reanimated. The most rare of all Corpus Cellarus Bossus appears only rarely and dwells deep in the cellars eschewing light completely.

Desert Zombies

There are two of these subspecies Corpus Sandus and Corpus Monocalus. Both appear unaffected by the heat and brightness of the desert. While adapted to this, they show no ill effects from the sudden temperature drop as Sunrifter leaves the view. They are more of a brown or tan in shade, the better to hide in the desert sands.

Piratical Zombies

These zombies appear to have been created from the remains of pirates. They too inhabit a cave complex; however the constant saltwater appears to have braced their constitution as they are much stronger than the Corpus Groanus.

Wall Zombie

Corpus Wallus is the pastiest in color of the species. Dwelling inside the Wall near Non-corporeal undead as well as the light avoiding Leaches leaves it in what seems to be a perpetually rabid state.

Ellyana Lilli: “I recall that they groan a lot and shuffle when they walk and they seem to have a taste for humans. They once were living humans. Seems in death decapitation works best. hence all the leftover heads! I've always thought it fascinating and yet so scary. Imagine something like them getting out of control. Walking, but yet dead? Searching but yet totally senseless? Good thing we're all about to keep knocking their heads off!”

*This does not include the confusingly similarly named Inn Zombie (Innus Lazius) who does not belong in an entry on Zombies. Although, much can be said of them it will be done later excepting this one quote by Thorin the Dainty: “Inn zombies...the most dangerous zombie type you'll find in Valorn.”

The story of Cellar zombies

by Asrai