Create Undead Minion (Priest Spell)

The caster of this spell creates a form of undead. The type of undead created depends upon the level of the caster and the condition of the sub­ject. The spell can be cast on a living or a dead human, demihuman, or humanoid of small to man-size. The individual must have died within 24 hours, and the body must be in good shape. Only a ghoul can be created from a dead subject.
Living subjects become more powerful undead minions, transforming into a type of undead given on the table, depending on the casting priest's level. A caster can create any type of undead on the
table, up to the level limit. Thus, a 18th level priest can create a ghoul or a ghast as easily as a wraith. An undead creature created by this spell does not retain character abilities.
Priest Level	Type of Undead
14th 	Ghoul
15th 	Ghast
16th 	Ju-ju Zombie
17th 	Wight
18th 	Wraith
19th 	Specter
20th 	Vampire
The transformation into an undead creature takes the full turn of the casting time to be com­plete. A living subject receives a saving throw vs. death magic negate the spell. If the spell is inter­rupted or dispelled before the casting is complete, the subject is rendered unconscious for a turn and returns to normal at the end of that turn. The undead creature created is under the complete con­trol of the caster. If the controlling priest is later killed, the undead minion must make a successful saving throw vs. death magic or perish as well. Surviving undead become free-willed.
The components of this spell are the holy symbol of the caster, dirt from a graveyard, and the fingernail of one of the forms of corporeal undead listed on the table above.
Notes: Granted by death gods such as Bane and Cyric of the Forgotten Realms setting.
DM Note: The DM should treat the casting of this spell with respect to living creatures as a ritual transformation performed by an evil priest to turn a helpless victim into a minion, not as a spell cast in combat against an active and resist­ing foe.
Category:Priest Spells
Category:Spells from Priest's Spell Compendium
Category:Spells