Arisen

Overview

The Arisen are a species of monstrous creatures known for their terrifying presence and destructive urges. They are born through reanimation of corpses, brought to life through dark and forbidden magic. But these necromantic creations aren't mindless ghouls. Each has a mind of its own, though it takes time for them to gain this intelligence.

Origin and Creation

Arisen are created through magical means, often at the end of dark rituals, as their creators fail to understand exactly what brings them into the world. The rituals are an unnecessary step, having no actual part in the creation of the beasts, but as the Arisen are viewed with fear and not much is truly known about them, the only writings that tell of creating them is followed to the letter.
The exact origin of the first Arisen remains a topic of speculation and myth amongst scholars, with some stories claiming they are the result of an ancient curse, while others believe their arrival to be the result of divine punishment. In truth, the first Arisen was created by mistake, and every step in the accidental process was documented so as to be sure it wouldn't happen again. This led to the unnecessary rituals performed by insufficiently experienced dark mages.

Physical Characteristics

Arisen are characterized by their initially humanoid form, albeit with distorted proportions and grotesque features. They are roughly the size of the creatures they are created from, which generally come from one of the humanoid races.

• Taut Skin: Their skin is described as pallid and stretched tight over their gaunt forms, with some Arisen showing exposed bones and muscles.
• Mouth and Teeth: Over time, their mouths become unnaturally wide, and their teeth grow longer, sharper, and thinner.
• Eyes: The eyes of an Arisen typically glow red, intensifying as they age.
• Claws: As they age, their fingers stretch into deadly talons.

Behavior and Abilities

Arisen are driven primarily by a hunger for flesh and a destructive instinct. They possess enhanced physical abilities, such as improved strength and resilience, making them formidable creatures. Despite their decayed appearance, they are said to possess unnatural endurance and resistance to pain.

Lifecycle and Transformation

The lifecycle of an Arisen is marked by a gradual transformation:

1. Newly Animated: Initially, they retain most of their human appearance, though their eyes turn red and dim. They do not think, simply acting on their desire for sustenance.
2. Intermediate Stage: They become thinner, with wider mouths and sharper teeth and claws. Their eyes slowly regain the light of intelligence.
3. Final Stage: In their advanced form, they are skeletal, with extremely wide mouths, razor-sharp teeth, talons for claws, and intensely red eyes. They are now capable of complex, though animalistic and predatory, thought.

Impact on Society and Culture

The presence of the Arisen in folklore and mythology often symbolizes the fear of death and the unknown. Though many believe them to be stories, during times when the Arisen plague the world, they are seen as one of the greatest threats to mortal life. Because of this, they are seen as omens of misfortune or the manifestation of evil.

Countermeasures and Defense

Defeating Arisen requires specific knowledge and tactics. Fire, as well as powerful blunt force, is effective against them. In some tales, destroying the source of their animation or performing sacred rituals can put them to rest.
The most effective countermeasure, excluding divine intervention, is to starve them out. This is best done before they are capable of advanced thought, at which point they might evade capture or not fall for traps they would have in an earlier stage.

Newly Created

Fully Formed