Biology
The dead aren't always left to rest. In places where necrotic energies run rampant and/or powerful restless spirits roam, the dead may rise even without a spell to bind them. One of these natural types of undead is the terrifying strzyga. They are often thought to be related to
Vampires, but these flesh-eating monsters are only slightly less deadly.
The strzyga is a strange case, where a restless spirit tries to occupy the body of a recently deceased woman with a particularly strong spirit. In this case both spirits fight for control, and in the process both souls run ragged and a violently mad creature of two souls is born. It is reborn with two sets of teeth, two hearts and two souls.
Over time the strzyga takes on more monstrous traits. It develops owl-like traits like feathered wings, long and pointed ears, and vicious claws. It also relies on the 'vitae' or life force of other creatures, which it usually absorbs through blood and flesh much like a vampire does.
Their bloodlust can be considered something of a curse, a product of the excruciating process of two souls merging within one body. According to folklore there is a way to for the strzyga to recover however. It is said that if its prey manages to survive a full night near its original grave, the strzyga is freed from its bloodlust and can choose to willingly pass on.
Intelligence and Social Behavior
The strzyga possesses a kind of vicious, predatory intelligence. It does not think much beyond its innate desire to ravage humans, but its instincts are well-honed and it frequently makes use of ambush tactics. During the day it hides within graves, and emptied out graves are a sure sign of a strzyga's passage, but it hunts at night. It is also well-known that the strzyga hunts down people who wronged it in life, possibly both lives depending on the souls that occupy it.
Statistics
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