Half Dead
Macabre caricatures of human beings, half dead are the result of a long-forgotten curse whose power dwells in the depths of the Dead Lands…and other places as well. Although not quite undead, the necromantic power that infuses them brings half dead very close to that state. As such, half dead are frequently shunned by the living, even though they pose no direct threat to them in most cases.
Personality: Half dead tend to be dour and morose, and even the most energetic and outgoing amongst them tends to respond to attempts at conversation or questions a few moments after the other party is done speaking, as if they do not quite hear others. Half dead are cautious and deliberate when it comes to action, but when they do act their determination is terrifying.
Physical Description: Half dead are the result of a merger of necromantic energies and living flesh. Although they are nothing like the people they once were, all half dead were once dwarves, elves, half elves, humans, or mul. For whatever reasons, the process that creates half dead does not seem to work on members of any but these few races. Half dead closely resemble members of their original race, although they are gaunt, unnaturally pale, and cool to the touch, with eyes that reflect unholy greenish light in the darkness. Often, a half dead’s skin will take on a leathery appearance, or begins to very slowly rot and fall away over the course of years. Unlike other races, half dead do not age or accrue age bonuses or penalties to their ability scores. They are not truly immortal, however, and their bodies generally last 250 year (+[2d20x10] years) before finally crumbling to dust.
Relations: Half dead are feared and distrusted by all. Even in the few towns where they are grudgingly accepted, relations between the living and the half dead tend to be tense and uneasy. Although half dead have little need for foodstuffs, they often grow or harvest food to trade with the living races for tools or other things they cannot produce. Some half dead trade in slaves, and there are numerous stories of slaves sold to half dead masters reappearing years later as half dead themselves.
Alignment: Despite their demeanor and reputations, half dead generally not evil. Most favor neutral alignments, as the passions that drove them in life generally dim and fade in their new twilight existence.
Half Dead Lands: It was long believed that the half dead are native to the Dead Lands, but discovery of the Black Isles and their half dead inhabitants in the east, deep within the Sea of Silt, has put this theory into question among the living. Certain of the half dead assuredly know where the first of their kind come from, but they do not seem willing to share that knowledge. Aside from portions of the Dead Lands and the Black Isles, the town of Midean, on the eastern edge of the Dead Lands, is composed almost entirely of half dead, save for a few traders who are brave enough to live in their unsettling company. The towns of Point Grey, Rockhome, and Rytan also have small but significant half dead populations, as the folk of these towns are somewhat more familiar with the half dead.
Religion: Half dead generally do not follow of Athas’s established spiritual paths, as they generally feel beyond any form of redemption in their new state. Some half dead follow the elemental forces, forging pacts primarily with elemental Air, Earth, or para-elemental Silt. Half dead cannot become druids (and half dead rangers cannot cast spells), for no Spirit of the Land while aid such a creature. There are some cases of half dead templar, though.
Language: Half dead speak the languages of their previous lives, and as such generally know the Common tongue
Names: Half dead sometimes retain the names they had as living beings, but many half dead follow tradition within their new race and take a new name to signify their new “life”.
Adventurers: Half dead adventurers are generally those who are not comfortable in their new existences or crave more than the company of their fellows. Some seek wealth or new knowledge provided by exploration, while some only seek a “cure” so they can return to their former lives.
Half Dead Racial Abilities: Half dead have the following racial characteristics, regardless of their previous race. The transformation from living to half dead is mental as well as physical, wiping away any previous skills, abilities, and character levels.
Interresting race. I don't know if I'd allow them in my campaigns, but it is an interesting race all the same.
Without the need to eat or drink, and being immune to heat exhaustion, being a half dead on Athas would be great. That's the main reason I ended up chopping them from my campaign
Thanx though
but discovery of the Black Isles and their half dead inhabitants in the east, deep within the Sea of Silt
Could you explain this?
Could you explain this?
The Black Isles were going to be obsidian-covered volcanic islands about 100 miles due east of the city-state of Doxerann in the Southlands (see above when I fet the link working). I really didn't have much else in mind for them at the point I dumped the project.
Just got the link working, but the text on the map is hard to read
If anymore wants to see the original CC2 file, let me know.Okey, I just wondered why there were undead on the Black Isle, but yours are Black Isles. My bad.
No prob
I like it, but only had time for a quicky today.
Question Khaine- what is up with the monster competition- everyone scared the Mir'iseth will get them!
Just got the link working, but the text on the map is hard to read
I'm quite interested in seeing that map more closely, as I'm working on a quite different take on the region south-west of the Tyr Region, the Brown Lands (working title
). You can send me an email at [email]methvezem@hotmail.com[/email].Wasn't there somethng like this in a Dragon mag a while ago? I am not saying exactly- but simular.
I like it, but only had time for a quicky today.
Question Khaine- what is up with the monster competition- everyone scared the Mir'iseth will get them!
Yeah, Dragon 323 I think. I used the half-zombie in that issue as a partial building block (along with the forsaken? from Warcraft).
The monster competition is slow going. Aram just added a critter today, and I'm hoping Sage and some others chime in too within the next 20.
I'm quite interested in seeing that map more closely, as I'm working on a quite different take on the region south-west of the Tyr Region, the Brown Lands (working title
Done and done. Enjoy!
The monster competition is slow going. Aram just added a critter today, and I'm hoping Sage and some others chime in too within the next 20.
Ya I hope that they all add their creatures to the competition- then the Mir'iseth will be able to kill them and eat their corpses :evillaugh
Ya I hope that they all add their creatures to the competition- then the Mir'iseth will be able to kill them and eat their corpses :evillaugh
As long as the quarex and vlerryls get some leftovers ;)