Difference between revisions of "Undead"

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m (Ghostly fireballs no longer heal undead. Rot is no more.)
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* '''[[Mummy]]''' - Embalmed figures that are especially attuned to [[Necromancy]]. However, they cannot drink [[potion]]s, and their dry, bandaged bodies are quite flammable.
 
* '''[[Mummy]]''' - Embalmed figures that are especially attuned to [[Necromancy]]. However, they cannot drink [[potion]]s, and their dry, bandaged bodies are quite flammable.
 
* '''[[Ghoul]]''' - Undying beings that are quite strong, though somewhat unskilled. They do not heal naturally in the presence of enemies, but can regain stamina by slaying their foes.
 
* '''[[Ghoul]]''' - Undying beings that are quite strong, though somewhat unskilled. They do not heal naturally in the presence of enemies, but can regain stamina by slaying their foes.
* '''[[Vampire]]''' - Stealthy undead that may freely switch between their natural undead state and a partially-living one; they heal quickly while alive, but lose access to most of their undead powers (though they never lose their undead weaknesses).
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* '''[[Vampire]]''' - Stealthy undead that may freely switch between their natural undead state and a partially-living one; they heal quickly while alive, but lose access to most of their undead powers (though they never lose their undead weaknesses). Unlike other two undead species, vampires are susceptible to mutations.
  
 
Other species may temporarily become undead by casting the [[Necromutation]] spell, gaining the standard undead resistances (and vulnerabilities).
 
Other species may temporarily become undead by casting the [[Necromutation]] spell, gaining the standard undead resistances (and vulnerabilities).
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{{monsterlink|Lost soul}}- A bereft and wandering soul, capable of reviving other creatures at the moment of their death.
 
{{monsterlink|Lost soul}}- A bereft and wandering soul, capable of reviving other creatures at the moment of their death.
  
{{monsterlink|Death ooze}}- [[List of jellies|Jellies]] comprised of decaying flesh, they inflict [[rot]] instead of [[Acid|corroding]] your equipment.
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{{monsterlink|Death ooze}}- [[List of jellies|Jellies]] comprised of decaying flesh, they [[drain]] your health instead of [[Acid|corroding]] your equipment.
  
 
{{monsterlink|Skeletal warrior}}- Powerful undead warriors who combine surprising durability with two-handed weaponry.
 
{{monsterlink|Skeletal warrior}}- Powerful undead warriors who combine surprising durability with two-handed weaponry.
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{{monsterlink|Ancient champion}}- Skeletal warriors that have been imbued with unnatural strength and fell magics.
 
{{monsterlink|Ancient champion}}- Skeletal warriors that have been imbued with unnatural strength and fell magics.
  
{{monsterlink|Revenant}}- Deathly figures that hurl ghostly flames, simultaneously harming the living and healing their undead brethren.
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{{monsterlink|Revenant}}- Deathly figures that hurl ghostly flames.
  
 
{{monsterlink|Bone dragon}}- Mighty undead made from the pieced-together skeletons of [[list of dragons|dragons]].
 
{{monsterlink|Bone dragon}}- Mighty undead made from the pieced-together skeletons of [[list of dragons|dragons]].

Revision as of 14:21, 8 June 2021

Version 0.26: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

The undead are once-living creatures from beyond the grave, now preying on the living or serving the dark will of Necromancers, unholy Priests, and certain evil gods. Examples of undead include skeletons, zombies, vampires, wraiths, ghosts, ghouls, and other horrors. They are common monsters in the Dungeon, and certain branches (Ossuaries, The Crypt, and The Tomb) are populated almost exclusively by undead.

All undead are considered evil, and many gods award piety for destroying them. Naturally, Yredelemnul and Kikubaaqudgha instead reward their vile worshipers with power over the undead.

Several undead species are available to players, offering an unusual style of play. Undead characters are somewhat weaker on average than the living races, but their innate resistances can often compensate for any disadvantages. Having died once already, they leave behind no ghosts to plague future adventurers.

Undead Traits

All undead beings (including player undead) share several immunities and vulnerabilities. They have three levels of poison resistance, cold resistance 1, life protection 3, immunity to torment, and are not susceptible to mutations (they receive stat drain instead). However, they are vulnerable to the Dispel Undead spell and weapons of holy wrath (which they also cannot wield) and take more damage than living characters from holy attacks.

Due to their lack of a functioning circulatory system, they cannot be poisoned or go berserk (except for vampires which are full of blood). Also, many spells simply will not function for them, including most of the self-altering Transmutations (Beastly Appendage, Spider Form, Ice Form, Blade Hands, Hydra Form, Statue Form, Dragon Form, and Necromutation) along with Sublimation of Blood, Death's Door, and Borgnjor's Revivification.

Being evil, the undead may not worship the good gods (The Shining One, Zin, Elyvilon).

These are only the traits that all undead share. A particular undead being will have additional powers, intrinsics, and vulnerabilities peculiar to its species.

Playable Undead

These species of undead are available for player characters:

  • Mummy - Embalmed figures that are especially attuned to Necromancy. However, they cannot drink potions, and their dry, bandaged bodies are quite flammable.
  • Ghoul - Undying beings that are quite strong, though somewhat unskilled. They do not heal naturally in the presence of enemies, but can regain stamina by slaying their foes.
  • Vampire - Stealthy undead that may freely switch between their natural undead state and a partially-living one; they heal quickly while alive, but lose access to most of their undead powers (though they never lose their undead weaknesses). Unlike other two undead species, vampires are susceptible to mutations.

Other species may temporarily become undead by casting the Necromutation spell, gaining the standard undead resistances (and vulnerabilities).

Undead Monsters

Derived undead

These monsters are made from other creatures, so their stats and abilities depend largely on what they were in life. They make up the bulk of an average Necromancer's entourage, though their low intelligence and lack of regeneration present a challenge different from the use of summoned creatures. Unfortunately, many methods of creating undead servants are inherently unstable, making most player-created undead strictly temporary.

  • Small zombie.png Zombie - Shambling, reanimated corpses that are slower, but often more durable, than their living counterparts.
  • Skeleton small humanoid.png Skeleton - Weaker than zombies, but easier to animate, skeletons are a fallback if a necromancer has used the flesh of a creature for other purposes.
  • Simulacrum small humanoid.png Simulacrum - Replicas of creatures made from ice. They are fragile and vulnerable to fire but capable of dealing brutal cold damage in melee.
  • Spectral small humanoid.png Spectral thing - A disembodied soul bound into a Necromancer's service. While weaker than some other types of undead, they retain their original speed and can recover from injuries.

Abominations

Abominations are haphazard combinations of body parts with demonic traits. Certain monsters can create them out of corpses using the Twisted Resurrection spell.

x Crawling corpse.png Crawling corpse- A pitiful, crawling body with no combat skills whatsoever. However, it can merge into other abominations to form larger creations.

x Macabre mass.png Macabre mass- Several corpses that have merged together. While slightly more durable than a crawling corpse, they still require more mass to be battle-capable.

x Small abomination.png Small abomination- The successful result of Twisted Resurrection, small abominations tend to be fast and can be quite powerful.

X Large abomination.png Large abomination- The end result of continually mashing corpses together, large abominations can be extremely powerful combatants.

Ghosts and Wraiths

These are insubstantial forms of undead, many of which have unusual abilities.

W Phantom.png Phantom- Phantasms that appear early on. They are evasive and blink quite often, but are otherwise fairly unremarkable.

W Wraith.png Wraith- Spectral forms that drain speed from their foes.

W Freezing wraith.png Freezing wraith- Icy phantasms that freeze their foes with but a touch.

W Shadow.png Shadow- Shadowy apparitions that can turn invisible, allowing them to strike at the weak spots of hapless adventurers.

W Phantasmal warrior.png Phantasmal warrior- Spirits of deceased warriors whose attacks cut at flesh and willpower alike.

W Shadow wraith.png Shadow wraith- Invisible ghosts whose attacks slow down blundering passersby.

W Drowned soul.png Drowned soul- The souls of those lured to their deaths by a merfolk avatar. They seek to share their fate with the living.

W Eidolon.png Eidolon- Dread apparitions that radiate unearthly fear, preventing their foes from approaching as they bombard them with negative energies.

W Silent spectre.png Silent spectre- Feared by spellcasters, these spirits are surrounded by a vast aura of silence.

W Flayed ghost.png Flayed ghost- Hideous phantoms capable of inflicting illusory wounds that temporarily reduce the stamina of their victims.

Ghouls

These undead horrors spread rot and disease in their wake. While they do leave corpses, only other ghouls would find them edible.

n Necrophage.png Necrophage- Rotten corpses that wander in search of the living. Their touch withers their foes.

n Bloated husk.png Bloated husk- Wandering corpses bloated with swamp gas. They are prone to exploding at the slightest disturbance.

n Bog body.png Bog body- Decaying figures found in swampy areas. They possess chilling magic and an icy touch.

n Ghoul.png Ghoul - Both strong and tough, these undead creatures tear apart and devour anything that crosses their path.

Liches

These are magicians who have chosen undeath in order to prolong their existence. Since becoming a lich requires considerable arcane power, these are some of the most dangerous types of undead you can come across.

L Halazid warlock.png Halazid warlock- Undying servants of forgotten gods, halazid warlocks can sacrifice their allies to create explosions of negative energy.

L Lich.png Lich- Powerful undead mages capable of casting a wide and unpredictable variety of spells.

L Ancient lich.png Ancient lich- A long-lived lich that has achieved mastery over multiple kinds of magic. Their spells are hideously powerful.

Mummies

I see Egypt and the Egyptians - I see the pyramids and obelisks;

I look on chisel'd histories, songs, philosophies, cut in slabs
of sand-stone, or on granite-blocks;
I see at Memphis mummy-pits, containing mummies, embalm'd, swathed
in linen cloth, lying there many centuries;
I look on the fall'n Theban, the large-ball'd eyes, the side-drooping
neck, the hands folded across the breast.
-Walt Whitman, Salut au Mond

Found mostly in the Ossuary and The Tomb. Powerful mummies are largely notable for their death curses, some of which can be very dangerous.

M Mummy (monster).png Mummy - A shambling, slow-moving, flammable embalmed corpse. They possess no death curse.

M Guardian mummy.png Guardian mummy- A more capable opponent than a standard mummy, it also bears a vicious death curse.

M Mummy priest.png Mummy priest- Horrifying undead foes that can torment you to the brink of death and smite you over the edge as you flee.

M Royal mummy.png Royal mummy- Powerful undead royalty with many resistances, all the necromantic prowess of a mummy priest, and ruinous death curses.

Vampires

A variety of undead notorious for their skill with Hexes and thirst for the blood of the living.

b Vampire bat.png Vampire bat- Flimsy bloodsucking vermin that pose no real threat.

y Vampire mosquito.png Vampire mosquito- Pesky undead insects that come in swarms, but rarely prove dangerous.

V Vampire (monster).png Vampire - Sneaky types that like to drain your life force after turning invisible.

V Vampire knight.png Vampire knight- Moderately dangerous foes that attempt to cripple you with Hexes before pummeling you in melee.

V Jiangshi.png Jiangshi- Deceptively nimble cadavers from distant lands that absorb life essence through their knife-like claws.

V Vampire mage.png Vampire mage- Dangerous Necromancy specialists. Don't forget your life protection!

Other Undead

z Wight.png Wight- Undying warriors in search of honorable deaths in battle. They often carry well-enchanted equipment, but their gear is commonly cursed.

z Flying skull.png Flying skull- Swift but weak, flying skulls make for mediocre guardians but serve as an excellent alarm system.

* Lost soul.png Lost soul- A bereft and wandering soul, capable of reviving other creatures at the moment of their death.

J Death ooze.png Death ooze- Jellies comprised of decaying flesh, they drain your health instead of corroding your equipment.

z Skeletal warrior.png Skeletal warrior- Powerful undead warriors who combine surprising durability with two-handed weaponry.

z Ancient champion.png Ancient champion- Skeletal warriors that have been imbued with unnatural strength and fell magics.

z Revenant.png Revenant- Deathly figures that hurl ghostly flames.

D Bone dragon.png Bone dragon- Mighty undead made from the pieced-together skeletons of dragons.

B Death scarab.png Death scarab- Swarming undead insects with life- and speed-draining bites.

z Curse skull.png Curse skull- Swift-moving and extremely durable menaces that summon legions of undead while tormenting anything that blunders into view.

z Death cob.png Death cob- Extremely fast undead ears of corn that assault and drain the speed of those who enter the Realm of Zot. No, seriously.

z Curse toe.png Curse toe- Disembodied undead toes that would be pretty ridiculous if it weren't for their extremely dangerous abilities.

f Deathcap.png Deathcap- Pestilential, life-draining fungi called into existence by curse toes.

Unique Undead

M Menkaure.png Menkaure- A forgotten mummy lord with the power to torment his foes.

p Player ghost - The undead spectre of an adventurer who fell in search of The Orb. It retains many of the skills and traits it had in life.

L Zonguldrok lich.png Zonguldrok - A master Necromancer who rises as a lich to combat anyone who dares to disturb his tomb.

L Boris.png Boris- A lich who has mastered the art of regeneration, allowing him to respawn elsewhere in the Dungeon after you've felled him.

V Jory.png Jory- The mightiest of vampires, he is capable of devastating magic and possesses a mesmerising gaze.

M Khufu.png Khufu- A royal mummy who strives to ascend to godhood. He is capable of entombing himself while he recovers from harm.

z Murray.png Murray- A curse skull who appears in the Vestibule of Hell. Packs a nasty bite in addition to his magic.

L Master Blaster.png Master Blaster- The boss of the Thunderdome map in Dungeon Sprint. Ridiculously powerful even by Crawl's usual standards.

Retired Undead

M Bog mummy.png Bog mummy- A type of mummy found in waterlogged areas. They were replaced with bog bodies.

z Flaming corpse.png Flaming corpse- Incendiary remains of those who perished in fire, they sought to share their gruesome fate with others.

W Hungry ghost.png Hungry ghost- These ghosts drained the sustenance of their foes in hopes of making them starve to death.

n Plague shambler.png Plague shambler- Infected hulks that existed solely to spread plague and miasma.

n Rotting hulk.png Rotting hulk- A large, shambling corpse, riddled with disease.

p Terpsichore.png Terpsichore- A phantom who was removed because her ability to enchant nearby weapons into joining her dance was rather overpowered.

L Unborn.png Unborn- A skilled lich-priest of Yredelemnul wielding some of the less common forms of Necromancy.

See Also