Eidolons

Lord Jurgen Van Verden, better known as Jurgen the Black, a legendary Eidolon.

Wights

Zombies

### Description

Corpses who have had their soul trapped within their body by a void of necrotic energy, preventing them from passing on into their afterlife.

Eidolons, commonly known as death knights, are among the most formidable forms of undead. They are created by trapping a soul within a body via a void of necrotic energy, which is sustained by a number of items which are continuously kept on their person. The manner in which death knights are designed also directs the energy which sustains them to fuel both necromantic powers, as well as adding to their prowess in the magical field of kinetite.

## Physiology

### Appearance

Eidolons are universally covered in some sort of enchanted armor, as this is an essential component in the ritual that creates them. Beneath their armor, however, an eidolon appears much as they did in life, but as a fresh corpse with eyes that glow with unearthly light. Their skin is pale due to lack of flowing blood and their hair is dry and brittle.

### Bodily Function

As a walking corpse, eidolons have no need to breathe, to consume food or water, or to rest. They have no heartbeat, and the blood within their dead bodies does not flow, but sits inert within their veins, thick, dark, and viscous. They do not feel sensation like mortals, perceiving the world entirely through magic, as liches do.

### Creation

Eidolons are created in a necromantic ritual known as the Crimson Reaping, which involves the soon to be eidolon to be clad in some sort of armor. The armor they are clad in must be specially enchanted, so as to create a void of necrotic energy within their bodies, preventing their soul from escaping to its afterlife, and absorbing the necrotic power that will be generated as a part of their ritual. The eidolon must also possess a magically enchanted sword, created for the purpose of an eidolon ritual to absorb magical energy and the power of souls. Once these items are procured, the eidolon must don their armor, and slaughter a group of one hundred innocents with their magical blade. This foul act must result in their armor being completely soaked in blood, and with the power generated and souls absorbed in the slaughter, they will have enough magic to enact the final step of the Crimson Reaping. They must plunge their sword into their own hearts, directly through their armor, killing their bodies. Through the power their massacre has given them, and through force of will, they must spread their own soul into their armor and their sword, which will then become bonded to them. The armor will be permanently suffused to their body, their physical prowess will be permanently augmented, and they will gain numerous necromantic abilities. Furthermore, their weapon will be bound to them, allowing them to summon it at will. This weapon will be the only thing short of magic that may kill them.

Subsequently, the eidolon will awaken a few minutes after death, rising as a corpse, with their eyes beginning to glow with unnatural light as a result of the necrotic energies that now fuel them. Additionally, the traumatic experience of having their soul forcibly trapped in their body and bound to whatever objects they wear often results in considerable personality distortions.

### Immortality

Eidolons cannot be killed by mundane physical means. No matter how much force is arrayed against them, the eidolon and any pieces of armor or weaponry, suffused as they are with the foul magic of its undead soul, will reform. Likewise, they are immune to the ravages of time, and will endure forever unless sufficiently potent magic is brought to bear to destroy them. The only way to kill them, short of said magic, is to plunge their own sword into their heart.

## Abilities

Undead Resilience: The astounding necrotic energies which sustain an eidolon prevent it from feeling pain from any sort of mundane physical attack, including flame, the bane of the undead. Only magic is capable of causing them true harm or pain. Damage to a eidolon's body by mundane means will not hamper it.

Immortality: An eidolon will endure for all eternity, unless it is destroyed in combat.

Life Drain: An eidolon has the innate ability, due to it being a void of necrotic energy, to drain the life force of nearby life forms.

Magical Senses: An eidolon senses their environment entirely through magical means. This allows them to detect all but the most powerful illusions, detect ghosts and other such spirits, and sense the life force of nearby individuals.

Necrotic Magic: Eidolons, due to the circumstances of their creation, have a natural affinity for necrotic magic.

Personal Sword Summoning: An eidolon has the ability to call their sword to them from any distance, and it will fly through the air to their hand.

Supernatural Prowess: Much of the magic an eidolon absorbs is automatically converted to enhancing an eidolon's physical prowess, such as their strength, speed, and bodily toughness.

## Weaknesses

Personal Sword: The sword used in their creation is capable of killing an eidolon if it is stabbed into their heart. Furthermore, it is capable of cutting right through an eidolon's armor.

Potent Magic: An eidolon can suffer pain and true harm when highly powerful magic is directed at them.