Mechanik’s Union

While the application of voltaic technology is more often associated with the blue and gold of Cygnarian battalions and the battlefields of the north, it was inevitable that black market stormchambers would find their way into some of the darker sciences of society. So it is with this reprehensible machine, a blasphemous combination of verridian Cryxian necro-tech and the sparking cyan coils of Sebastian Nemo’s wondrous creation.

Shaped like some hideous insect, it has a short cylindrical body just wide enough to accommodate the components without being to large to hold; below which are four segmented metal calipers. The stripped down elemental emitter is little more than a thin surgical needle surmounted on the conduit coils of the stormchamber above. The top of the casing emitters the sickly corpse-light of a Cyrxian device, its oily valves and coils containing a dark numa spirit. Some have hinted that these devices are not Cryxian but originate instead with the Cephalyx, although most would sooner do business with the still mostly human agents of Lord Toruk rather than the cryptic alien terrors of the underworld.

When clamped to the back of a corpses neck and activated as a full round action (Craft: mechanika DC 10 + HD of the dead creature), the device sinks its emitter into the base of the skull where the spine meets the lower functions. Using the galvanic energy of the stormchamber, the matrix then uses the body much like a clumsy servitor shell. Thus creating a shambling cadaver at the beck and call of the user. This is a zombie of the creature the device is attached to, as per the template (mm p265).  The only difference being that it is treated as a mechanikal construct for purposes of turning or magic that effects the dead, and it has an int of 3.

This process can only work on creatures with a passably similar nervous system to humans, elves and dwarves. Including most humanoid races, animals and many magical beasts. Creatures who are already undead, or radically different from humanoid anatomy such as vermin, oozes and elementals cannot be effected.  If attached to a living creature, the device does 2d6 points of electricity damage per round and they must make a save or become stunned (Fort DC10 + number of rounds attached) until it is removed or the creature is dead. At which point the corpse animates as normal under the matrices control. It has been reliably documented that this process is excruciatingly painful.

The device can maintain the corpse in an active state until natural decay renders it unusable. This is usually 1d4 days after death unless some form of preservation is used, half that time in damp or hot conditions. Any loss of limbs obviously will hinder such a monstrosity in its tasks. Its abilities are to perform menial tasks, attack designated foes or  remembering and following paths as directed. The device can be removed with a similar full around action, but the craft check is unnecessary. Removing the device from a hostile corpse requires it to be pinned in a grapple check before taking a full round to wrench the device free of the back of its neck. Similarly if the Necromizer is sundered or destroyed by targeted fire, the corpse deanimates. The device has a hardness of 10 and 15 hit-points.

Needless to say, possession and use of one of these foul devices is a one way ticket to the gaol or worse in all the continental nations. Still there are mercenaries and explorers that will pay well to avoid the banned magics. After all, why burst a blood vessel hauling back that thousand pound golden idol. Why risk life and limb in an Orgothian death-maze? Why sprint through that hail of gunfire to set of the charge to drop a fortified railbridge? Why risk life and limb when the corpses of those who did, can do the job just as well.

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* This device is only available on the black market, or from the wraithblade emporium around Immoren. Acquiring one from their original creatures would be an adventure in itself.