Undead Raiders

Try as the civilised nations might, there will always be those who live outside of  the law. Bandits, thieves and pirates; all are a constant threat to those living in Upper ArcWorlde. However, when a particularly malevolent criminal meets their untimely end they may be far too devious to truly stay dead. These beings, known as Harbingers, resurrect bands of  Undead outlaws to continue plaguing the civilised lands.

Numerous gangs of  Undead Raiders infest the Mildaark, preying on travelers to and from the frontier towns. Their hunger for plunder brings them into contact with many of  the factions of  Upper ArcWorlde, and their infamy is widespread. The noose may put an end to a criminal for a short while, but there’s always a chance they may return to their activities tomorrow.

## Forces of the Undead Raiders

### Undead Harbinger

There are times when a villain is killed, their devious will is so strong they cheat death and cling to the mortal realm. These beings, known as Harbingers, return to the lands of the living imbued with the blasphemous power of the Undead, and wield the ability to raise the dead themselves.

In the wilds of ArcWorlde, where bandits and thieves are rife, often these Harbingers are the re-animated corpses of the particularly malevolent. They carry on in death as they did in life, and raise their own gangs from the corpse piles and gibbets of frontier towns to continue harassing and raiding to their (unbeating) hearts’ content.

### Old Man’o’Bones

It is surprisingly common for powerful Mages to fall on the wrong side of the law and dabble in magics forbidden in the civilised world. When the Guards are coming and the flicker of torches and pitchforks glow in the distance, many would rather go down fighting than be taken alive.

The spirits of these dark magicians often linger, clinging to their crumbling remains and causing mischief beyond the grave. Their incorporeal forms require sustenance to maintain, and many have had their souls devoured by these Undead spellcasters.

### Undead Bandit

The bulk of an Undead Raider Warband is comprised of the re-animated corpses of bandits, thieves and pirates. These scum are plentiful in the wild places of ArcWorlde, and are often grateful to the Harbingers for giving them a second chance at life. They gleefully prey upon travellers and frontier towns, and rather enjoy the benefits that Undeath brings.

### Undead Executioner

Many of those in Undead Raider Warbands were sent to the afterlife by an Executioner, the brawny fellows tasked by the frontier towns to dispatch the convicted thieves, pirates and highwaymen.

Although fulfilling a much-needed role, many Executioners are shunned by the community that they serve and are often loners and outcasts. It’s no wonder then that they are targeted by the Harbingers to join their ranks in revenge.

### Undead Ogre

Ogres are common sights within bandit gangs, their brute strength and dim-witted loyalty being handy within the criminal underworld. As such, any Harbinger worth their salt gleefully rubs their hands at the prospect of resurrecting an Ogre to be part of their Undead Warband.

### Will o’the Wisp

Those who are brave enough to travel the woods at night tell of flickering lights in the darkness, and a sudden tug on their soul to follow wherever they lead.

These lights emanate from the ghostly lanterns held by Will o’the Wisps, the lost spirits of innocents who wish to hold once again the warmth of life. These poor souls are often taken advantage of by the malicious Harbingers, who delight in luring more unfortunates into their sorrowful grasp.

### Carrion Rat

Rats are common pests throughout ArcWorlde, though in certain places they can grow to be particularly huge. In the frontier towns where bodies may not be buried as deep as they should be, many rats grow fat upon the remains.

The Undead therefore hold particular contempt towards these beasts and slay them whenever they can. Not ones to waste an opportunity, Harbingers often resurrect these vermin as disposable fodder for the battlefield.