The Blessed

The corrupted power which fell to earth after the death of gods caused a huge plague of undead.  Some are mindless or nearly so, zombies and skeletons, shells of bodies animated by pure corruption. Some however are not.

When one who touches the Blood embraces its potential, knowingly uses the corrupt power it can provide, and properly prepares oneself for the changes that are to come, it is possible to survive the corruption by enduring a tremendous transformation, and becoming one of the intelligent undead, called "blessed" because of their connection to the blood of the dead gods.

There are some common patterns to the blessed, physical types that members of specific races tend to fall into, but some blessed are unique, the result of a particularly focussed will and drive. For example:

 Wenner Farmass was a mercenary and duelist, and recognized by many as one of the finest swordsmen in the region. Bipolar in nature, he was constantly alternating between drunken depression and a manic obsession with testing himself against every swordsman in the land.  When he touched the Blood, and realized what had happened, his manic focus on becoming the greatest swordsman of his age turned him into what he is now, the Bloodblade.

The Bloodblade is a tall thin humanoid, with mottled brown and red skin. His head lolls to the side, his eyes rolling, and he constantly hums, sings random snatches of song, mutters and drools.  His body however moves with incredible grace and speed. With a flick of either wrist, he can call a sword into being, drawing it out from the ever bleeding wounds on his hands. The sword is mottled black and red, appears somewhat crystalline, and the edge of it constantly bubbles, smokes and drips fluid.  Wounds from the sword fester and rot immediately.