Ancient Dead

Humans have called Upper ArcWorlde home for thousands of  years. Although the cultures and languages of  those ancient peoples have been long forgotten, their marks can still be seen on the landscape. Stone circles, crumbling tombs and burial mounds can be found throughout the land, many plundered for their riches long ago.

However, some unknown call can sometimes wake these folk from their slumber. Shaking off the dust of  millennia, the Ancient Dead rise from their crumbling tombs and burial mounds to find that the afterlife was a tad different to what they were promised. Although their world has long passed, the Ancient Dead remain, guarding their sacred grounds from trespassers and living as best as they can without the trivial worries of  the flesh.

## Forces of the Ancient Dead

### Grave Lord

Beneath the mounds that dot the landscape of Upper ArcWorlde sleep ancient kings and queens, monarchs from a time long forgotten. When alive they were powerful warriors, and in death they were given the greatest honour by their subjects.

When awakened from their eternal slumber they arise knowing that they are within the afterlife promised by their gods. Their mighty will calls their loyal warriors to return to their side and they emerge into the world ready to live again. When they discover their tombs ransacked and other strange beings living on their lands, their wrath forces them and their followers to prepare once more for war.

### Bog Magus

Thousands of years ago, peat bogs were seen as sacred to the ancient peoples of ArcWorlde. Many were sites of worship, with many offerings thrown in to be consumed by the sticky dark ooze.

In times of portent some tribes would make the ultimate sacrifice and offer their most beautiful youths to be engulfed by the sacred bogs. Their bodies almost perfectly preserved for eons they return once more blessed with great power by the spirits of the mires within which they slept for so long.

### Skelt

When an ancient lord was entombed beneath their great barrows it was custom for their servants and warriors to be buried alongside them. Not only to serve them in the afterlife, but also to protect and fight alongside them.

Those who arise once more as skeletons are somewhat surprised about their new forms, as they were promised their full bodies by the priests of their time. Once the initial shock has passed though they realise that being made of gleaming bones has many advantages.

### Tomb Guardian

The ancient peoples of ArcWorlde prized strength in combat and buried their best warriors with the highest respect. Clad in the bronze armour with which they wore in life, it was believed their martial prowess would help protect the tombs of their lords in death.

Little did they know that they were correct. When risen from their rest the Tomb Guardians are just as adept with their long axes and shields as they were thousands of years ago. Yes, they may be a little more corroded after years of disuse, but they can still cleave off a head with a strong enough swing.

### Bone Goliath

Many powerful warriors fought alongside the kings and queens of old, some of monstrous sizes. These legendary heroes were undefeatable in combat and were held in the highest respect in those ancient cultures long ago.

A Grave Lord, returning once more to the land of the living, often seeks out the remains of these champions to fight by their side. If one is not forthcoming, they are more than happy to cobble together the bones of other creatures to create one with varying success. Either a gleaming titan or a shambling mass, they are powerful allies to have in skirmishes against the fleshed.

### Relic Spirit

Many cultures across ArcWorlde believe that an object can obtain a soul after many years of use. The Ancient Dead are no different, but for them an item of power is claimed by a soul with no body to return to.

With many barrows defiled and their occupants’ remains scattered, many Ancient Dead return to find their bodies long lost to time. Howling with rage, they cling on to powerful artefacts and protect them against any who dare to even approach.

### Barrow Hound

Every hall of an ancient lord was filled with the sound of baying hounds. These faithful companions would accompany their masters on the hunt, and even to war. When they passed their remains were kept, in the hope that they would continue to trot alongside their owners in the afterlife.

## Famous Ancient Dead

### The Evermaiden

In the age of the Ancient Kings, many maidens were sacrificed to the gods that were worshiped at the time. Blades were thrust through their living hearts, and they were thrown into the sacred peat bogs that scattered the land.

The Evermaiden was awoken with the Ancient Dead, returned to the world of the living. Filled with anguish for the life that was taken from her she fights alongside her Undead brethren, the spirits of the sacred bogs following in her wake.