Category:Spectral Rider

This section contains canon info from officially published sources

The spectral rider is a type of undead created from the reanimated corpse of a knight or similar man-at-arms that fought while mounted. They are created by skull lords or spellcasters for the purposes of bodyguarding or maintaining other elite service positions. A spectral rider appears as a forlorn, hideous, virtually skeletal corpse dressed in heavy armor tainted by moving symbols marking the creature as unnaturally evil. However, a spectral rider may assume the appearance of life through illusion.^[1]

Spectral riders may have had living mounts while alive, but in undeath they may summon phantom steeds to continue riding in the service to their grim masters. Despite the name, spectral riders are whole corporeal, although they may briefly assume an incorporeal state when moving.^[1]

As previously mentioned, spectral riders can be created by skull lords or spellcasters. Spellcasters must be at minimum 12th level and must cast create undead upon the corpse of a suitable candidate.^[1]

This section contains netbook-canon info from netbooks

It has been stated that the spectral rider qualifies as an Hungry Dead in the typology of Walking Dead in Van Richten's Guide to the Walking Dead.^[2] Arguably, it could be said they could instead qualify as Obedient Dead. Likely salient abilities include Assume Form, Berserk, Flaying Touch, Lure Victim, Paralysis, and Recalled Abilities.^[2]

References