Ragitsu Posted April 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? Well' date=' I dont think I want any undead pumping drinking water. Now say the sewage, maybe.[/quote'] Not even cleaned skeletons? Hell: humans can harbor more bacteria and virii. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Obvious Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? Not even cleaned skeletons? Hell: humans can harbor more bacteria and virii. It's kind of a gross thought. A skeleton would have to be pretty damn clean before I'd be willing. And I'm not sure a skeleton that clean can be animated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragitsu Posted April 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? And I'm not sure a skeleton that clean can be animated. It's maaagic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer84 Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? Not even cleaned skeletons? Hell: humans can harbor more bacteria and virii. HUmans wash their hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Hawk Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? Undead Labor Unions' date=' fought by valiant PC Life Walker.[/quote'] Striking Undead, chanting... "What do we want?" "Brains!" "When do we want it?" "Brains!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragitsu Posted April 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? HUmans wash their hands. Instruct the skeleton to dip their hands in bleach or cleaner of choice? Besides, isn't it just turning a crank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? It's kind of a gross thought. A skeleton would have to be pretty damn clean before I'd be willing. And I'm not sure a skeleton that clean can be animated. Exactly. Only Harryhausen could animate a skeleton that clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? Just put the skeleton in a box, and have him turn a wheel, tell people it's a magic engine that turns their elevator! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer84 Posted April 23, 2011 Report Share Posted April 23, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? Instruct the skeleton to dip their hands in bleach or cleaner of choice? Besides' date=' isn't it just turning a crank?[/quote'] Depending on the system, commands have to be pretty simple. And Skeletons can't keep time. Probably, I am projecting modern "wash your hands" on a less civilized society. but the main gist is this, what are you looking for in your questsion? Since it's fantasy, any response is appropriate and valid. Depending on the campaign, there's no reason not to use Golems or Undead. Particularly if the GM wants it, and puts it into the background. If you're talking about introducing that to an existing non-necrocentric campaign, things are different. Golems would be most likely more expensive but easier to convince the public, as undead are generally considered evil or blasphemous. If you're looking for reasons people might object, cleanliness (even if it's just perception of) is one, the idea of having themselves raised to work for eternity might upset some people, or that their relatives have been disturbed from their slumber. Convincing the populous that it's just the vessel and the soul has gone to its final resting place is paramount here. The upkeep and required supervision would be another complaint. And the smarter, more independent you make the undead/golem laborers the more likely they will revolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmjalund Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? "The undead are revolting, master" "Indeed" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucius Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? Exactly. Only Harryhausen could animate a skeleton that clean. I am so tempted now to make a necromantic character and name him Harry Hausen. Lucius Alexander Only Lucius Alexander could animate a palindromedary that bicephalous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dracones Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? Really interesting thread. I don't think the military implications could be overstated. A force that never routes, doesn't eat, never tires, doesn't fear death, obeys all orders and strikes fear into mortal men. Unless there was an easy counter necromancers or those that control the armies(maybe through a passphrase) would wield immense power. There's a book called Warbreaker I think, by Brandon Sanderson that covers something like this. But I think one aspect of this is the meta physics of it. There's no such thing as a free lunch(perpetual energy) and I'd think the same would apply to magic as well. The force that propels that skeleton that turns the water wheel or carries the stone from the quarry has to come from somewhere. So where from? Maybe in areas with undead labor stillborn deaths are more common. Maybe mysterious diseases break out and wipe out entire villages. Maybe crops die and famine is a fact of life. Maybe the people in charge even know about the "price" of the undead but keep it to themselves. Maybe other groups find out and oppose their use(likely druids). Or maybe other people find out and begin to find other ways to channel that power(death cults). What about the slippery slope effect? Once it becomes okay to use undead, well, what about cheating death itself? Vampirism, lichdom, all it'd take is enough wealth or power to secure either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 Re: Undead Labor: why not? I am so tempted now to make a necromantic character and name him Harry Hausen. Lucius Alexander Only Lucius Alexander could animate a palindromedary that bicephalous Funny, after posting that the next day I thought "Hey, Harryhausen as a necromancer!" Note: The Badger fears his mind is becoming in tune with the palindromedary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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