Catacomb Councilor

Undeath is a blighted form of immortality. While those who attain it have a more enduring existence, they may not necessarily cheat death in every aspect. Mortal minds were not made to exist indefinitely inside rotting carcasses, and there are few indeed among the ranks of the Undead who can claim that their thoughts are wholly sane or logical anymore. For those of a studious disposition, Undeath can appear to provide a priceless opportunity for greater study. Many are the scholars and savants who have sought to carry on their learned ways through the ages by treading this dark path, not realizing as they do so that it would come with a price, one which would gradually strip away all their wisdom and knowledge. Not all succumb to madness however. Understanding that pursuing arrogant isolation risks disaster, some Undead scholars have sought each other out, combining their knowledge and abilities to create a body even greater than the sum of its parts. This organization is known as the Catacomb Councilors. The Councilors have long provided clarity for lords of Undeath struggling to maintain their own minds. With knowledge built up over their long and grim existence, these perpetually-decaying savants are invaluable aides in all manner of matters. The organization itself has formed slowly over centuries as a means of giving greater protection, power, and influence to these masters of necromancy. Catacomb Councilors often set aside personal rivalries and disputes for the betterment of the whole, knowing that those who work in isolation are more vulnerable, be it to other necromancers or the servants of Lumaya. Indeed, the Catacomb Councilors have actively hunted and killed rival scholars who have refused to join their ranks. The Catacomb Councilors do not provide their assistance free of charge, whether handing over otherwise-inaccessible arcane texts from their own collections or swearing to provide intellectual and arcane aid in times of great need. Undead lords must pay a high price to acquire their expertise. Some lesser Undead mutter that the Catacomb Councilors have ulterior motives, that they are slowly building up their own reserves of knowledge and power for some as-yet unknown purpose. The Councilors state that such claims are surely driven by the jealousy of those unable to afford their services, and have no basis in reality. When they enter combat, Undead lords often bring a Catacomb Councilor with them, employing them for their understanding of tactics and strategies, built up after witnessing a thousand battles across the centuries. In action, they wield curse-magics that employ the ghastly power of Undeath to whither their enemy’s life-force, using the stolen energies to greedily enhance their own strength or heal their ravaged bodies. Councilor Vexgast is a prime example of such an advisor. A longstanding aide to Lord Marchant of Western Kaerok, he was resurrected after death by his master, who had himself sworn allegiance to Siroth and been gifted with the curse of Undeath. Vexgast, though horrified at first by his decaying condition, found solace in doing what he had always done, and swiftly set to once more advising Marchant. Despite Vexgast’s best efforts, Marchant was hunted down and destroyed by a force of Sacred Order knights, but Vexgast escaped his master’s second and final death. Learning of the Catacomb Councilors, he was quick to join their number, and has since served an array of unliving lords, lending his wisdom to everyone from the vampire knight Shornal to the Three Shadow Lords of Riverblight. His reputation for wisdom and impartiality has ensured he remains highly sought after.