Bog bodies are found in various places across Europe and further afield, their skin being tanned and preserved by the chemistry of the peat in which they are found. This take is based on what appears to be a form of ritual interment in parts of the British Isles, often so well preserved we know what their last meals were (which is another story, but the contents of their stomachs suggest some cultural link to pre-agricultural days, to hunter gatherers, with seeds from plants like fat hen in some kind of ritual porridge fed to them). A long lost, and very different culture about which we know so little.
But very obviously a good idea for a D&D undead.
Adhlacthaí portaigh
by Cab Davidson
| Stat | Adhlacthaí portaigh* |
| AC: | -3 |
| HD: | 15*** |
| Move: | 90'(30') |
| Attacks: | 1 weapon (x3)+special |
| Damage: | By Weapon |
| No. Appearing: | 1 (1) |
| Save As: | F15 |
| Morale: | 10 |
| Treasure Type: | M |
| Intelligence: | 15 |
| Alignment: | Chaotic |
| XP Value: | 4800 |
Adhlacthaí portaigh are undead warriors, leaders of tribes of the windswept marshlands of the North who willingly gave their lives in dark rituals to protect the boggy borders of their lands from invasion. Typically, they are found at the edges of their clans lands, where they were ritually killed before being interred within the peat. Over years, their bodies become pickled, tanned as if to leather by the acids within the peat. Whenever they perceive the lands of their clan are threatened they rise to face the perceived foes. However, over many hundreds of years most adhlacthaí portaigh are forgotten, as the tribes move on, and the former protectors become dangerous foes of nearly all living things, which are uniformly seen as enemies.
In combat they use the weapons they were interred with, with which they always proficient (at master level), and with which they can attack 3 times per round. They usually use bronze swords but pikes, spears and axes are also known.
They are immune to normal and silver weapons, and to magical weapons of less than +3 enchantment (as well as sleep, charm, and hold spells, as are all other undead), all forms of cold, and magical spells of under 4th level. When first seen approached within 60’, all creatures must make a saving throw vs. spells or fall to their knees in awe of the fallen king, although they may make a saving throw each round to recover. They may also, once per round, in addition to other attacks, stare at a single foe within 120’. The target must make a save vs. spells or they will calmly put away their weapons and leave, refusing to step foot on the protected tribal lands for 1d6 days. Adhlacthaí portaigh can also animate fallen creatures as zombies, and can create 1d6 zombies from any corpses present per round (and may store bodies in the peat for this purpose).
They are turned as if haunts, but may make a saving throw vs. death ray if the result is a D. If turned, they will retreat to their marshy graves for up to 6 turns.
Some rare adhlacthaí portaigh were avengers in life. Those dangerous individuals retain their spellcasting ability in unlife, and can cast spells as if a 5th level cleric.