Revenant

A **revenant** (from Tulen *rivenerent,* meaning *revenger)*, also called an **again-walker** (calque of Thenden/Donst/Nost/ *gennastroder*), a **returned**, or a **night-singer** (also a calque, see "other names for revenant" for more) are a type of physical undead creature. Revenants are strikingly different from most other undead by being drastically more intelligent, being able to use language and tools. Revenants are limited, however, due to how they are created; one becomes a revenant upon death if they hold deep-seated resentment towards a tangible person or group they could functionally dismantle, disable, or end. If this resentment was strong enough, a corpse will become a revenant, the revenant's will and unfinished desires disallowing their soul to pass on towards the afterlife until their revenge is accomplished.

## Origin

Revenants are created when a member of a race dies with deep resentment. The person's will must be strong enough to both override the soul's innate desire to pass on when it's released from the body as well as keep their body functioning to any degree. Essentially, a revenant can be seen as a soul inhabiting or puppeteering their own corpse. Revenants' souls and consciousness are clouded by their desire for revenge, essentially being manifestations of this intense desire and, as such, cannot change their goals or desires to suit new interests. Revenants must have a tangible person, group, or other such sort to exact their vengeance in order to return. If they were resentful of ideas, policies, laws, or affairs beyond anyone's control, they simply cannot fulfil the goals of their will, and their soul will pass on to the afterlife.

When a revenant's soul and will align with the prerequisites to coalesce, the revenant will begin to dismantle the object of their ire, which can range from minor vandalism to outright murder. Should the revenant be successful, their body immediately shuts down, and their soul will pass on without issue. Likewise, if their bodies are destroyed, the same scenario will occur.

## Characteristics

Revenants can range wildly in appearance and demeanor. Despite their desire for vengeance overriding all else, revenants have their personalities and opinions fully intact, and can converse, use tools, and think abstractly. When the revenant sees their target or can otherwise get closer to the goal, however, the soul will strongly pull the revenant into the direction of vengeance, and, as a result, they are still somewhat limited in what they can do outside their mission.

## Contrasting with Similar Undead

Revenants can be compared and contrasted with several other types of undead, either because of their intelligence or what creates them.

#### Zombie

Zombies are similar to revenants in that they're both reanimated corpses, but share little else. Zombies are mindless, primitive creatures which possess neither any form of consciousness nor soul, and cannot use either speech or tools to accomplish any goal. Zombies only seek to feed, which itself provides nothing to the creature - feeding is done as a final archaic remnant of the rotting brain to keep the body functioning, and the instincts that further feeding are similar in cause.

#### Lich

Liches are highly intelligent undead, and are greatly similar to revenants in many instances. Two of the biggest differences, however, are that liches are not formed from resentment, nor are they overridden to achieve vengeance or other payment for the misfortune they suffered in life; liches are formed through either divine intervention, a curse, or overwhelmingly powerful Magicks.

#### Willpossessor

Willpossessors use their sheer will to remain in the mortal realm, but unlike revenants, do not have to use their physical bodies, nor have a goal. Willpossessors often take possession of armor or other humanoid items to anchor themselves. Willpossessors, due to the lack of a physical body they're permanently attached to, are also in the classification of spirit, rather than physical undead.

## Other Names for Revenant

Night-Singer (calque, from Thelossian bæhtfolċċer, literally night-chanter)

Revenger