Fallen Empire Zombie

These zombies look much like ordinary ones but often still wear whatever they had on when they were converted: rich robes and jewelry, burial shrouds and the like. A spark of intelligence, the last remnant of their humanity, shows in them. Each speaks the languages it knew alive, usually common, and talks telepathically with its master.

They tend to attack in strength to overwhelm resistance fast. A few hurl daggers or flaming oil, but most prefer to charge in. If that fails, the lich overlord quickly tells other bands to switch to missiles, wait for night or set ambushes. They act on their normal initiative rather than always last, and are turned as spectres.

In melee they try to beat or claw foes down. A zombie that defeats someone may cast raise dead on the body, turning it into another of its kind in 1d4 turns as the skin pales to white, the nails sharpen and the eyes sink. Remove curse cast against 12th-level magic halts the change and leaves the victim simply dead, after which ordinary raise dead or resurrection can bring him back.

Each can also command mindless undead such as skeletons and normal zombies within 30 feet, as an evil priest who has controlled undead. They are immune to cold-based attacks, poison, death magic, hold, charm and sleep, and take 2d4 from a vial of holy water.

Most are loyal to the lich overlord, roaming the old imperial lands for recruits to his undead army and burning to kill every human they meet. They keep their memories and personality and use them in his service, along with two-thirds of their living abilities (an 18 Strength fighter drops to 12) and Intelligence of up to 10. They answer only his telepathic will, though he sometimes puts a wraith or spectre in charge. A few have broken free of him.

Because every foe they defeat swells their numbers, they grow harder to stop the farther they spread. Whole villages are swallowed into the advancing horde, fields are trampled flat and animals flee ahead of it.