Nothing says, “Everything is falling apart,” quite like zombies.

For the Shadowdark RPG.

We’re going to take the standard issue zombie a few more steps to resemble movie zombies more closely. These creatures are infected by some sort of mutagen or pathogen. They become devoid of reason and rational thought and move purely on instinct toward any food source aka the living. Somehow their senses remain intact, even though their limbs, organs, etc may be missing.

Shambler Zombie: AC 8, HP 9, ATK 1 claw +2 (1d6) OR 1 Bite +2 (1d6 + Infection) MV near, S +2, D -2, C +2, I -2, W -2, Ch -3, AL C, LV 2 Undead. Immune to morale checks. Relentless. If zombie reduced to 0 HP by a non-magical source, it may attempt a DC 15 CON to go to 1 HP instead.

Infection: A zombie’s mouth is full of bacteria and whatever virus caused the zombie apocalypse in the first place. Any creature bitten by an infected zombie must make a DC 12 CON or begin to turn into whatever zombie type infected them. Magic such as a Restoration spell can stop the virus.  Disease. DC 12 CON or infected. DC 15 CON each day or lose 1d6 CON (can’t heal until Restoration is cast). Ends on success.

They are most commonly found in packs of 2d6 zombie humanoids. They tend to shamble around in packs or clumps, probably following some nearly forgotten vestige of being social animals. They respond to motion and noise, gravitating toward anything they perceive as a food source. For some unknown reason, they will stop attacking once the target is dead.

Any creature killed by a zombie will rise as the type who last zombie who bit them within 1d6 rounds (Under the GM’s control.)

Zombies always go after the nearest creature making noise in their general vicinity.

Special Weakness: Called blows/shots to the head instantly render the zombie dead with no chance for revival except by magical means. Such attacks are always made at a disadvantage. The GM may also wish to rule Critical Hits on a Zombie to be damage to the head, instantly defeating them.

Runner Zombie: AC 10, HP 11, ATK 2 claw +3 (1d6) AND 1 Bite +3 (1d6 + Infection) MV double near, S +2, D +2, C +2, I -2, W -2, Ch -3, AL C, LV 3 Undead. Immune to morale checks. Relentless. If zombie reduced to 0 HP by a non-magical source, it may attempt a DC 14 CON to go to 1 HP instead.

These zombies are as fast as they are vicious usually appearing in hunting packs of 1d6 Runners. Their senses are keener than their shambling counterparts. They have a 1 on 1d6 chance to sense the living nearby.

Next time we’ll discuss the intelligent Zombie or Zombie Lord along with a couple of special types.

The above article is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.”