The First Necromancer
Zombie
My first study, one that needed to be taken cautiously and steadily. I'd thought about what would make the best subject, but in the end, all pointed to the most basic of basics. Before even skeletons, ghosts or other myriad undead beings, the most simple in many's eyes has always been the generic Zombie. It was with that thought in mind that I endeavored to explore this simple low level undead, hopefully this will be the first of many research projects.
Day 1: Creating a Zombie was not difficult, given the effort I've put into Necromancy it should be a given that a simple zombie wouldn't take much effort. It's corpse was once human, I chose from one of many bandits who happened to camp along the road sides. While quests would normally ask me to clear out these thieves for a non-descript merchant, I participated largely for this chance then the rewards. Resurrecting a bandit naturally led to the birth of a Zombie, it's flesh rotted almost instantly, as if it had been weathered or aged somehow. I'd thought it might be a bit fresher considering it's recent death but it seems Necromancy will taint what it touches, It seems it's decayed state is something outside of my control. Perhaps I need to be stronger first? Or this might simply be due course for low leveled Zombies-- I'll have to look into it further.
Day 2: It has been a day since it's birth, the Zombie still stares blankly into the distance. I can only think it's frustrating, must I really give it a command for it to even take a step on it's own? I've used my control to force it to act naturally but it neither targets me nor the lifeless corpses around it. Perhaps I'm looking at this wrong, With no stimulus the Zombie wouldn't pursue or attack, would this mean low level zombies are reactionary? Strange, but I'll have to look into it further.
Day 4: It has been two frustrating days, but finally the Zombie has reacted to something, the movement of local wildlife has piqued it's interest. It didn't react to me, perhaps because I'm already tainted somehow by the same power that controls it, but now after two days some unfortunate creature has crossed it's path. As if it can't see me, it eats and rips into the creature's flesh ravenously, but the contents merely spill out of it's exposed stomach. A gruesome sight, but it doesn't seem to need to consume flesh, I can only wonder at what provokes this desire; Does it follow virus rules and target life out of habit and instinct? Or perhaps it is something else, and it requires flesh for another purpose.
Day 7: As much as I would like to continue this log, I believe there is little more I can discover about these creatures. Their desire for flesh seems to be both based out of habit, but also for restorative purposes. After two days of hunting the exposed stomach is no longer as damaged as before. It's recovery however seems temporary; it's flesh continues to rot. I can only guess this is because after using my power to rise, it needs additional power to sustain itself. At the very least, this proves simple Zombies cannot simply multiply endlessly, there must be something to keep them going.
Day 10: It has been a few days since the Zombie has last found a source of food. It's body is fading without sustenance, a shame, but I have been able to keep it afloat with magical power. A shame it cannot be raised or nurtured, at the end of the day it is till a simple, even savage undead; no different from a trained monkey or dog it would not make a suitable companion alone. For now my investigation into the zombie's lifestyle ends.
Combat: Before it's end, the Zombie was put to the test in combat, it's abilities are ultimately lackluster. While it is due in part to the source material's own unpolished skills, it has the natural weakness of being dull and clumsy. They lack technique, making the weapons in their hands no different from clubs, blades and shields are wasted in their hands. Their weakness is no doubt their heads, not only because it is the best way to target the Undead's life source, but also because they lack protective instincts. Their hands will often come to rest their sides or reach out towards their prey leaving the weak point almost always vulnerable to attack. Do not mistake the vulnerability for an easy kill however, while they will often times simply accept damage without reaction, they are more sturdy then their living counter parts. Simply stabbing through the skull or smashing it in may not be enough without pulverizing it. In the event damage is not done properly, the life force might even flee into the chest, making slaying a zombie much more difficult.
