Undeath

Summary

Prior to the Sundering, the living dead were not a problem that people had to deal with, at least not in this part of the world. The idea of ghosts, spirits and ghouls may have been spread through superstition and stories, but as for actual undead creatures, wandering or not, not an issue. After the Sundering however, all kinds of strange and unnatural magic and beings were unleashed upon the Isles, not least amongst was these was the undead.   Undeath can occur from several sources and take many forms, but it is not a fate that most people would wish upon their worst enemies, never mind themselves. Apart from those few madmen who seek out undeath in its most powerful forms, for those who succumb to this terrible condition it is an un-life of torment and often servitude.  

Causes

The most common causes of undeath are Curses or Infections. Rarer cases occur from coming into contact with rogue pockets of unnatural magic left over from the sundering or deliberate workings of magic by powerful magic users.   Curses are usually attached to places, and often by default objects from that location, that were warped by the magics unleashed during the Sundering. They can also be placed upon people, places or things, by those who practice certain kinds of magics. Those who come into contact with cursed places or objects often end up with curse themselves and suffer the same doom as those who may have come before them.   Undeath can also be caused by becoming infected from a bite or other transfer of matter received from an undead creature, though not all undead creatures are infectious in this manner. The length of time it takes for undeath to occur after being infected varies upon the type of creature that caused the infection, ranging from anywhere between instant and several months.  

Types of Undeath

Undeath can take many forms and doesn't just affect sapient creatures, it can also occur in animals on on some rare occasions plants as well. There have even been cases of spectral ships and islands. Some of the more common types include, ghosts and spectres, zombies, animated skeletons, and banshees. There have been reports of blood sucking plants, soul sucking shadows, and hulking creatures made from a gross conglomeration of many body parts.