A few notes about this.

1. They aren't necessarily right about what they're talking about, even if the evidence seems to support it. It's a glimpse into how we can present empirical inquiry within the constraints of the game world, not necessarily fact. As a piece of lore, it's a document operating within a certain school of thought.(in this case, that school of thought is of a cult of Niddhyl, that may base their understandings of the unseen side of magic on whispers heard by their higher ranked members, likely during a time when the gods were more closely intertwined with the world of men(or believed to be)

2. You'll know what the 'coming threat' was soon. Or maybe not, idk.

3. The core of their interpretation of this information is that life energy = decomposition, whereas a lack thereof inhibits or halts it. It evidences, for him, that a delicate balance must be struck for an undead to last for a long time.

As it is known, undead, to sustain their unnatural and in many ways parasitic existence, take in the energies local to them. This fact in itself is not aberrant, of course, as the dead constitute a void within which the worlds vital energies are drawn into and presumably lost. However, these masses¹ which experience undeath are not simply voids to be filled, but entities that also exhaust natural energies to continue their existence, as any introductory text in the art of necromancy would evidence; in more clinical terms, while a corpse passively drains life around it of its vigor, the undead also actively consume it. It could be said that they have the energetic needs of the living, while the means of manufacture for these energies is absent. Whether they themselves have some aptitude for drawing these energies in or if this void is simply strengthened by undeath is another issue entirely, and beyond the extent of my knowledge.

I posit that the above facts have distinct implications concerning the nature of decay and the longevity of the undead. Before presenting my concerns as they relate to the undead, I would like to present what I believe to be critical supplementary information; two brief studies of posthumous preservation.

Case one: Tar and peat bogs harbor a natural preservatory quality; dead plants remain instead of composting into soil, and more relevantly, long dead carcasses can be found and extracted still intact, despite no special funerary preparations(and indeed, one would just as easily find a man riddled with arrows as they would an unfortunate bird of prey or fox). While these bodies can experience some decay and often are devested of natural coverings such as hair, fur, and feathers, there are many specimens with little to no visible evidence of decay; something that a few choice cult societies have come to worship and integrate into a sort of burial by water. While there is still yet evidence of rigor mortis, toughening of the skin and in some instances withering, the more emergent properties of rot are entirely prevented or diminished, at the cost of a dark and pervasive staining of the body².

Just as these bogs are inclined to preserve the dead, they are particularly disinclined to sustain life. So drained of vitality is the earth here, that many of the plants of these places resort to hunting and consuming what animals and insects dare venture through. The waters themselves are barren, so much so that even the vegetative aquatic slime that would be green and lively in adjoining wetlands are brown and soured beneath the water; any green in these places proves itself to be but a thin veneer over a much more necrotic circumstance. Such are the waters that these preserved bodies can be found in -- they remain divorced from life and its endemic energies beneath these waters, and are thus preserved.

Case two: While natural preservation of bodies can be observed in arid climes(usually limited to the bones and their marrow, as carrion birds and other scavengers prove quite thorough), of particular interest is the burial practices within these areas, which prove to be quite extensive and effective depending on their station, and more importantly, their wealth. The most extensive ceremonies, from cursory study of the more publicly available materials and observable rituals, their preservatory methods are somewhat complex and varied. In the interest of brevity, I shall note only such processes that confer a preservatory effect to the musculature and skeleton of the body.

The body’s vital organs are extracted individually, primarily to preserve the body but also for ritual and burial purposes(perhaps lingering energies from recently consumed food contributes to decay). The body and extracted organs are then lightly covered in cloth and immersed in salt for several weeks, isolated from the elements. It is unknown why, but this process results in extensive drying of the body, though whether this truly has a preservatory effect or simply hastens the natural withering of the dead merits further investigation -- it is unlikely that it has any effect, given case 1’s effectiveness despite aquatic conditions. The corpses are then coated in a binding agent before being tightly wrapped in cloth and sealed in airtight sarcophagi, which are themselves within sealed temples of sorts. While some are stocked with food and drink, these are in sealed containers as well.

It should be noted too, that during my time in this region, I learned of bodies preserved in this way being used as guardians, connected to traps and animated using complex magic circuits. I have procured one such circuit from a group of passing adventurers(though they could have just as easily been graverobbers by trade). Although the circuit was badly damaged, there is evidence that the (since removed) crystal element would have been heavily insulated from the bodies³.

These two cases represent diverse natural and artificial conditions within which dead masses may be preserved for a duration far exceeding that of simple embalming or use of rose water and other aromatic oils. In contrast is, of course, our most sacred consecration of flesh through fire. However, while less effective and immediate, just as fauna are quickly lost to woodland soils, the burial rites of the alvani elves demand that bodies be implanted with seeds and placed within the energy saturated soils of their forests. Within a fortnight, even the bones of the dead seem to crumble and become consumed by these otherwise normal herbs and saplings. Similar effects can be observed in nonmagical forests and tropical climes, but occur at a much slower rate. It is believed that burials of this nature inoculate the foliage planted there against fluctuations in the natural energies of the forest.

It would seem that there exists a constant among the preserved. In contrast to the natural world, these preserved dead are far separated from life, be it because they are separated by stone and wraps, or because they have been immersed in deathly waters. I posit that this isolation from life energies allows further preservation due to the vital energies being a natural enemy to the constitution of dead(and undead) flesh. The historical undead circuit that was recovered seems to corroborate this understanding, as do the much more longevitous undead of the coming threat, which are themselves naturally isolated from vital energies by the aura of their masters. Thus, the longevity of any active undead is likely contingent upon strict rationing of energy, such that no excess can remain to erode their corporeal bindings. It may be possible to cripple the coming threat in this way(or at least weaken any of our fallen brothers and sisters), by carrying mass reservoirs of life energy to encourage the rot and putrefaction of these abominations in an emulation of alvani soils. While it would not yield immediate results, these reservoirs would likely serve as a useful ward against their miasma as well. We may also be able to limit their mobility or rot their armies without any loss of life by cultivating more energetically dense regions similar in nature to the alvani forests. Further research is needed to learn the specific thresholds that yield rot in the undead, as their active consumption of life energy may result in an elevated resistance to energetic decomposition.

May peaceful nights and living men prevail.

Authored in the Bladeira after the 341 before it graced by the One True Moon and One True Mother Niddhyl, written by doctor of worldly energies bartholomeus avarel eccladius under the purview of His Holiness, Archbishop Ikan Parthing.


<sup>1:I elect to address undead entities as masses instead of bodies, as the latter is often not an appropriate description given the more extensive and macabre mutilations that necromancers may carry out in their heretical practices.

2: As preserving food is an eminent concern, I would be remiss not to note that while specimens are preserved almost indefinitely in this environ and retain some level of proper consistency, these bodies prove quite offensive to ones faculties, and I anticipate that more extensive consumption of fauna preserved in this way would prove quite toxic, if not fatal. While I have not tested that presumption at length, its unsavoriness would make for rather trying eating regardless.

3: These same adventurers offered some variety of dried meat for purchase as well, which my associate and subordinate, disciple Ferndal, has confirmed to be edible, if peculiar in taste and composition. The origin of this meat is quite obvious, though it does evidence this process to be a potential method of preservation that is more effective than traditional curing and drying methods for foodstuff. As per doctrine, the dead flesh was promptly burned and spread following examination.</sup>

They said those plants weren't a problem until our village hot spring caught on fire and killed everyone there...

That's certainly one way it could go down. Another way is that it's used as a delayed onset thermite during war to burn villages with the intent of throwing the enemy off your actual trail. Drop satchels of ember reed cuttings behind homes(or in shallow holes) and let the rain do the rest.

[Ember reed]

Just a short one off;

Ember reed

A type of tall, thermophilic grass-like plant native to hotsprings and  rarely other hot, moist areas like swamps. The plant is grey with intermittent orange banding, spawning a teardrop-shaped cluster of foliage at its base. When it goes to seed, it develops a thick stalk with a slightly whiter color than the rest of the plant, with a branching orange and yellow seed head. The stalk and seed head are commonly said to resemble a lit candle wick.

The pollen of this plant is highly sulphuric and rich with other toxic minerals, which can end in the plant or its pollen combusting if it is splashed with water or is exposed to too much water vapor at once. While exposure can make one ill, it isn't especially dangerous unless a large number are intentionally burned..  At normal levels, however, this reaction simply generates a small amount of toxic smoke and heat. The pollen itself is also bioluminescent in some way, though it may be due to the aforementioned reactions. True to its name, the pollen, when ejected, is reminiscent of glowing embers from a fire. While there are no doubt pollinators up to this task, they are highly specialized and extremely defensive of this rare plant.

*cough cough*

Declivity zone

A heavily cratered, stony biome that has extremely strong gravity. Meteors and meteorites frequently strike the surface of this biome, releasing concussive shockwaves on impact. Very little life exists here, outside of astral creatures and meteor spawn of some description. As you can imagine, airships passing overhead are in grave danger.

Rayblon Biome
A conglomeration of everything he has ever suggested into one biome. It's a dangerous place to be.

obliteska + skrike + rapture + mourner all at once.

Just making this since I've been making so many biomes. Probably a bit late to make this, but meh.

I see sand and water in that parchment. Hmm, what happens when you mix the two, I wonder? 

Rayblon I'm legitimately the worst procrastinator in existence.

yeesh. gimme a week then lol

Obliteska

A floating stone and crystal construct in the same vein as a congraig, but much more specialized and advanced. Standing at about 10 feet tall, this construct is extremely durable and is resilient against magic as well as most physical attacks. The obliteska's main body is a cylindrical mass of carved stone around a usually quite large congealed crystal core, with large sockets in the stone to hold its obelisks. Each obelisk is usually lined with runes and inset with a multitude of small crystals, save a much larger crystal set into the flat base of each obelisk.A core usually has five to eight obelisks, though an obliteska has no practical limit to how many obelisks it can control in theory. The large crystals set into the obelisks are their weak point, though destroying the stone housing is technically possible. A crystal dislodged from an obelisk is still able to attack, but only using the two basic discharges

In combat, Obliteskas are very complex fighters. First, an obliteska is able to propel their obelisks at opponents with enough force to embed them into the ground or walls, even stone or brick. While this has a slow chargeup, it is likely to instantly kill anyone that decides not to evade. When their obelisk is planted, it can begin using magical discharges.

There are two basic forms of magical discharge, the most basic being a magic bolt that is fired automatically. The second basic form is invoked by the obliteska firing a magic bolt at the primary crystal of an obelisk, and causes the planted obelisk to release a shockwave.

More advanced discharges typically require certain formations for obelisks, and while it doesn't necessarily require them all to be planted, its strength scales to the number of appropriately placed obelisks. A circular formation placed around the obelisk causes kinesis barriers to form between each obelisk, the interior of the circle creating a damaging aura while the obelisks continue to fire damaging projectiles. While shockwave discharges can be released by arena obelisks, their range is limited to a fraction of the arena. The arena can be broken by damaging one of the obelisks, or by dealing a blow strong enough to disrupt the core's magic(likely requiring set-up by a magic user or some kind of simultaneous concussive blow). A tight cluster of 3 or more obelisks would be able to cast massive magic bolts that explode on impact. Alternatively, if a large number of obelisks are in view of every other obelisk and they are irregularly placed, they can begin firing deadly waves of energy between themselves.

Planting obelisks is not all that an obliteska can do to manipulate them. It can perform forceful recalls, which propel planted obelisks out of the ground back into their sockets, potentially crushing an unfortunate soul in the process. Additionally, they can use free obelisks to swing radially around the core or slam a side down forcefully. With at least three free obelisks and two planted obelisks, an obliteska can create a potent shield around itself while firing charged blasts at random.

The core isn't helpless either, and retains many of the abilities of its obelisks even on its own, except much more powerful. If all obelisks are destroyed, the core is able to fire enhanced magic bolts and release massive shockwaves. The obelisk sockets, lined with crystal themselves, are able to fire volleys of magic bolts simultaneously, or even constant beams of energy if the situation demands it.

By default, they are heavy electric/magnetic casters, but there's nothing stopping an obelisk from using heat/cold/light/dark crystals or some combination thereof.

Fleshweld

"Some would say that death... is a kindness, and undeath, if it should apply, is not the worst desecration one's body could know. That is what we had thought.

We did not know of the red chapel, a consecration of flesh and undeath. They hung from the ceilings, headless necks bloated with meaty roots reaching into the stonework, writhing about and twitching as we passed underfoot, in various states of dress and undress. Those were the complete ones. Halved bodies lined the walls, the ones that had arms reached out to us, stared at us. The floors were lined with poor souls that were cut down the middle like filleted fish, fronts and backs of their bodies protruding from the floor, entirely fixed to ground like a macabre carpet. The pews were each topped with rows of heads, they would turn on their meaty bases to cast their white, lifeless gaze upon us, bloody, rotten mouths gaping, a captive audience to whatever depravities happened here. And at the altar? A massive four pointed star covered in meat, the bottom covered in legs, the top with arms, chunks of hearts and meat pulsing in its center, all of it waving about. Parts that were mutilated beyond recognition protruded from all over, spreading a veneer of slime and wriggling about as though they were worms born only of muscle and sinew. Some were molded around and fused to sconces and torches. It had to be cleansed. We built pyres, doused the pews with oil, lined that abominable idol with kindling, and lit the pyres.

It did not burn. The meat lining the chapel groaned and moaned, and sizzled, but it lived and flailed as though the chapel itself had become enraged by our attempt to cleanse it... it was not long after that the butcher came. It claimed them all, it hunted us, and it took everyone in town, all but me. I live, and I will have a reckoning yet! I must part in the morning to tell- [blood soaks the rest of the page, making it illegible]"

Fleshwelds are well explained above, and quite diverse, with their defining characteristic being that they are naturally rooted to walls, ceilings, the ground, or some other solid surface. They would occur naturally in blood meadows on occasion and are usually passive unless the block they are bound to is damaged by a player. The idea is that one can use body parts or otherwise mutilated corpses and reanimate them this way, to create fixed attackers where there would otherwise be unusable or difficult to use parts, as far as necromancy is concerned. When possible, the equipment attached to a body or part before being welded is preserved. eg an arm in platemail will retain the platemail, legs keep pant legs, boots, etc unless the necromancer removed them beforehand.

Wisp willow

An ethereal looking tree whose leaves are white and long like streamers, with a parallel venation, reminiscent of the hanging cords of leaves on a willow tree. The leaves themselves are extremely lightweight and flexible, so a slight wind is usually enough to make them seem to flutter and flow. In sea echoes, the leaves of these trees would have a slight glow to them, similar to that of echo blocks.

I found a process that lets me keep working on my hobby writing more reliable if that counts for anything.