Phrenitis Zombie

As with other Zombies, Phrenitis will look like the creature that they were risen from, with the wounds that killed them still clearly visible, and the bodies in various stages of decay. However, they differ in that many Phrenitis display clear signs of what Chrysóaktína called "swollen brain syndrome", with bulging eyes, bloodied cerebrospinal fluid leaking from the ears and nose, and visible green to purple veins across the entire head. Some Phrenitis display brains that are so swollen, the skull cracks and the head visibly deforms.

Runner Phrenitis

The most common type of Phrenitis, Runners are fast and agile with poisoned claws and spittle.

Burster Phrenitis

Less common, Bursters are bloated and bile-filled with the tendency to explode, causing acidic and poison damage.

Phrenitis are risen from dead bodies by Necromantic energies, infused with poison-type magics and subjected to high pressures. It is thought that these magics are intended to replicate various conditions that cause brain swelling in living creatures. Creatures that died with pre-existing brain tumors are more likely to rise as Phrenitis.

As with other Zombies, Phrenitis don't technically need to eat or drink, but are regularly known to consume the bodies of its foes anyway. Phrenitis are more likely to attempt to bite or consume a victim while they are still alive, and seem to have a preference for organs with a high iron content, such as the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys.

Even in a non-frenzied state, Phrenitis are twitchy and agitated, showing signs of hyperkinesia and psychomotor agitation. They fail themselves around wildly, often grasping or clawing at their own heads while snarling and moaning at nothing in particular.

When frenzied and attacking they are relentless and fearless, rushing forward with apparent mania and ignoring or seemingly ignorant of any perils in their path. They grasp, claw, and bite wildly, their bloodlust overwhelming, and are indifferent to any injuries that they may obtain.

Phrenitis do not recognise any social structure other than their Master, though they are more likely to break free from control than other types of Zombie. Masterless Phrenitis will attack anything that isn't Undead, regardless of strength, and will otherwise ignore all others of its kind unless provoked first.

Remaining intact Sapient organs can sometimes be harvested from Phrenitis, but they are usually corrupted by Necromantic energies and are not suitable for anything other than experimentation. Acidic bile, poisonous spittle, and corrupted cerebrospinal fluid can be collected from Phrenitis and used to make poisons and potions.

It is rumoured that coating oneself in the blood and gore of a Phrenitis Zombie will aid in warding off Lesser Undead because the putrid smell will disguise signs of life.

Phrenitis of both kinds are considered Non-Sapient and have little cognition beyond the ability to obey simple commands and recognise friend from foe. They have no sense of self-preservation and no ability to plan or strategise.

Phrenitis tend to have average sight capabilities and generally higher than average hearing. However, they have no sense of smell or taste, and have no ability to feel any sort of physical stimuli. Despite having little cognition, Phrenitis can obey simple commands and have the ability to recognise friend from foe, including whether another creature is an Undead or not.

Biological, Magical and Supernatural Abilities

All Phrenitis are surrounded by a putrid, rotting aura that attacks the constitution of those within 10ft of it. Additionally, they are inherently poisonous with acidic bile.

More resilient than other types of Zombie, Phrenitis also display additional physical traits that are dependent on their sub-type.

Combat and Eradication

Combat Considerations

Phrenitis are resistant to damage from necrotic magic, and cannot be poisoned. They are also immune to drowning and cannot become exhausted. As with all Zombies, they have a form of magical fortitude that allows them to continue getting back up from a "death blow" unless they are hit with Radiant-type magic or a blow that destroys the brain entirely.

Expulsion Techniques

Divine magic is particularly efficient against Phrenitis, and they can be Turned by most mid-grade Priests. Critical blows should target the head in order to destroy the brain, as they will continue to rise again regardless of injuries sustained.

The corpses of Phrenitis should be burned to prevent the spread of Zombie Rot, a type of necrotising disease that also has the potential to raise its victims automatically as Zombies.