"The first thing you have to understand, is that we do not reproduce like you Humans. In fact, the vast majority of us are unable to reproduce in any way. But in the same manner, the vast majority of us do not age. So, our histories are not separated in generations, but in centuries.

The second thing you must understand is that there are multiple types of Natural Undead and that each one has its own characteristics. Liches, for example are very intelligent but are quite weak without their Minions. We can also be quite prideful, though that is more common among the intelligent Undead.

Pretty standard that the smarter the corpse, the more prideful.

Then there are two main types of Undead. The Physical, and the Ethereal.

Simple stuff. Ghosts, Spirits, Banshees, Spectres, and the like are Ethereal. They have no physical body, and are largely immune to the physical.

Then there are Zombies, Ghouls, Skeletons, and Wights. They have physical bodies allowing them to interact with the physical world much easier than Ethereal types but also making them more vulnerable to the physical.

However, there are other types of Undead that blur the line between the two. Most namely, but not solely, are Shades. Creatures of Shadow have a body that is both Ethereal and Physical. Tricky buggers to kill. Luckily, they don't really explore.

You have the most experience with the Physical Undead, but there are Human Necromancers that specialize in the Ethereal. This grants them more access to the world of the Dead but leaves them more vulnerable to the Physical.

We shall start with the Ethereal because despite there being uncountable types, they all fall under the same abilities and limitations.

Banshees, they are quite harmless on their own, but they are never alone. They never travel with other Banshees. If you see one, there are other Undead nearby. If the Banshee screams, those other Undead want to kill you. Banshees are instinctual and have very little intelligence. A torch will frighten them away, but they aren't worth the effort to kill.

Ghosts are living creatures that were killed. The exact creation of Ghosts are still unknown, even to us Undead, but they do retain some of their memories. Often violent, but not always. Their method of attack is to phase through their victims, taking portions of their lifeforce with them. Difficult to see. Best way to defeat them is with a large burst of Holy Magic all around you.

Shades are evil spirits who took a semi physical form. They are created through cursing the corpse of one's enemy. Hate is a prime ingredient to create one. They can't phase through the physical, but they can effortlessly blend into any shadow or form of darkness. Their attacks leave one feeling dread, fear, and numb. Focused Light Magic has to strike their body to have any effect.

Wraiths are seen as agents of Mother Death. They carry large scythes, meant to reap the souls of the dead. As you might imagine, the other Ethereals go to great lengths to avoid Wraiths. They are truly impossible to defeat unless they attack first. Their only moment of weakness is a single moment before their attack lands, where their scythes and bodies turn physical for just a moment. A single blow from them can kill Experts and cripple Masters.

Wraiths serve none and due to the difficulty in destroying one, they are largely left alone to do whatever they wish. A goal which no one knows. They are quite intelligent and wise, so they rarely attack when outnumbered and traps rarely work.

Now onto the Physical. While the Ethereal side of Undead are largely individuals operating on instinct without aid, the Physical is more similar to the Living.

We shall start with the Mindless Undead. Zombies. Zombies, even Natural ones, are idiots that only wish to consume living flesh. That is their one desire and the only thing in their rotted brains.

Then there are Ghouls, cruel, demented things. They are like Zombies, but their bodies are not nearly as rotted, nor their minds. They are surprisingly intelligent, and capable of speech. They eat the dead, but still enjoy the taste of life. The dwell in catacombs, crypts, and distant graveyards. They despise the light and will target any source of light. Rarely in groups larger than ten, they are very strong, very fast, and can heal from any injury but to their head, the only way to kill them.

Even as a Master, I do not recommend being in a dark room alone with one.

Skeletons are quite possibly the most varied of Natural Undead, just as they are for the Summoned Undead. Some are mindless, some are highly intelligent. The more important types worth remembering are Liches and Commander types. Both are highly intelligent and capable of coherent thought.

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Despite what you Humans believe, Liches and Commander types are much more common and begin much earlier. Commander types can control Mindless Undead, Zombie or Skeleton, and are defined by their limit. Most can only control a dozen, some can control hundreds. It varies, and their position is defined by their ability, which they can improve upon mind you.

Liches are similar, but instead of merely commanding them, Liches can summon the Mindless dead. This makes their minions weaker, but typically more numerous. We Liches are also strong Mages while Commanders are purely physical.

Next, are the Vampires, the most organized. The Vampires have divided themselves into Houses, similar to the Nobility of Humans. I personally believe that this is because the first Vampire House was a family of Nobles. Though I have no evidence of this.

Vampires are very intelligent, very strong, very magically gifted, and are capable of creating more of themselves.

However, there are different types of Vampire.

The large three, are Thrall, a Human turned Vampire servant, Lowborn, and Highborn.

Thralls are essentially Human Slaves who have become dependent on the blood of Vampires. Its like a drug to them, and they cannot survive without it. Thralls are not mindless, but are highly obedient to their Vampire Masters. Even children born from Thralls are reliant on this Vampire Blood. As such, most Thralls are from families of Humans that have been in service to the Vampires for generations.

Then there are the Lowborn Vampires, think Commoners. They do not look Human. Though their appearance is varied, they usually have grey skin, entirely black eyes, and hindlegs similar to a wolf. They will always have large Batwings capable of flight.

Highborn Vampires, look like extremely attractive Humans, though with slightly pointed ears and canines. Though they are technically Succubus and Incubus. Incredibly fast, strong, and agile. They are skilled Mages, all of them. But the ability you, and every other living thing, should be worried about is their Hypnotic Gaze. Even without it, the Highborn are extremely persuasive, with it, they could convince you to jump into an active volcano.

The Highborn are the true royals of Vampires. The Highborn have wings similar to the Lowborn, but they can hide them through intrinsic Magic.

There are eight Vampire Houses, and they have been at war with each other sporadically throughout all of history. Alliances, are constantly being made and broken, but the warfare has never ended."

"How come I have never heard of these Vampire Houses. They seem pretty important, especially for a Necromancer. In fact, why have I never heard of any of this stuff in any detail before?" Alaster asked.

"A few reasons, namely that we desire it. I am sure your Kingdoms know all of this, but while we Undead are busy with each other, why frighten the living? They are terrified if rumor of a single Ghoul spreads. How would they take it if tales of thousands spread?"

"And just how many wish to swear themselves to me?"

"Let me explain how the Undead see Necromancers first.

You see, the Natural Undead sees Necromancers as nothing more than Living Liches, something us Liches take insult to, but regardless, that is how they are seen. And I admit it is an apt comparison. Most Necromancers don't know much about the Undead World, similar to you."

"But how is that possible? So many Undead, so many types, surely in all of my travels and studies, I would have discovered this before." Alaster interrupted.

Lezrum had to remind himself that he can't throw a book at his Master, "My Liege, do you know how vast this continent is? No, forget that. It is the wrong question. You know that there was once more than a single Continent on this world, correct?"

"Yes, then the war between the Humans and Argalon began, eventually causing the other continents to sink."

"Correct, but just because they sunk, does not mean they are totally inaccessible. This world of the Undead I speak of, truly is its own world. It's subterranean. Deeper than the Dwarves have mined. Accessible only through a few narrow passages. While the world of you Humans has only consisted of this single Continent, we Undead have continued to inhabit all of the continents, deep beneath the waves and the earth, in vast caverns, a truly vast number of tunnels that are impossible to count.

You Humans shiver in fright at the thought of a single Black Lich. And yet, deep beneath your very feet, I know of at least six. We Undead have simply never cared much for Humans, we were too busy amongst ourselves.

Well, that's a lie. We loath you Humans, but we were content to continue our existence separate.

How else do you think we Undead somehow appear throughout the Continent, regardless of you Humans' precautions?"

"Why would any of the Natural Undead wish to swear themselves to me if this is all true?"

"Because while the other Necromancers are seen as ordinary Liches, you are different! You have created your Death Knights, a truly revived corpse. You have created these Forgotten, a race of Undead completely independent from life. But most importantly, you are capable of creating a form of Undead, that can live!

For most Undead who have heard of you; you are their God. For others, you are our only hope of survival against the Demons.

Because while you Humans are incapable to invade the World of the Dead, the Demons are not. Once they eradicate Humanity, they will sweep through the tunnels and wipe out all of the Undead!"

"Wait, you forgot about the Wights. What are they?"

"The Wights are the closest to the Living as we Undead can be. The Wights are Undead who remember most of their Life. They died, yet for one reason or another, refused. They are allowed in our world, but they are not a part of it, just like your own. But if you want to know more, you should just ask your old teacher, Richter."

"Why?"

"Because he is a Wight, obviously."

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