An Advanced Creature Profile by Vincent Groth.     

The minor sapient undead include the Risen, Code Guard, Kismet, Neiro, Kirn, and Igor. Whether forming naturally, risen by magic, or probably misclassified they are highly dangerous. Most undead can’t enter holy places but most of those who can are Sapient undead. Silver and Salt are still bane against them but far less effective than mindless and incorporeal undead. 

-The Risen are ritually cleaned, polished, assembled with joints wired together, armor bolted on and etched with runes, and gemstones placed in each eye. Some even gild the runes in gold or silver. 

-Code Guard; A King’s duty does not end in death, the Code Guard are the fallen Kings who died in their homelands their souls bound forever to their domain. Code Guard can ‘sleep’ returning to the realm of Dreous in spirit and return to their eternal undead form when needed. They are cold, gaunt, and pale creatures who radiate a numbing of vibrancy and chill.  

-The Kismet are possibly merely spirits; they are hunched twisted figures in thick black clothing. Horns rise out of their twisted wraps and coverings. They drive black coaches across lightless countrysides. They draw in luck of those who live on the roads they travel. Those who come across them at crossroads will be allowed to board the coach and guaranteed safe passage. They are sometimes bound to serve greater undead and powerful black mages. 

-The Neiro are mid to high powered mages who dying naturally continue powered by their amassed power. Many Neiro don’t even notice their mortal bodies have died until they start to lose weight, grow cold, and lose their senses.  

-The Kirn are mages who failed to fully pierce the Veil and ascend to Lichdom in the pursuit of divinity. They managed to steal enough power from across the Veil to maintain their bodies in death. Often seen as lesser Litches or greater Neiro. 

-The Igor are strange creatures, hunched, assembled from patchworks of different bodies, metal, and glass. The Igor are servants of powerful undead and powerful mortals. Igor are the best servants the monstrous and self-centered could dream of.  

Sapient Undead normally have far more powers than non-sapient undead. 

-The Risen are highly durable, fast, agile, and capable of wielding the skills they had in life. They can follow abstract orders as easily as the living. Risen can be infused with creatures of the Fury planes empowering them with elemental powers.  

-Code Guard have few innate powers and are used to dispense wisdom, advice, and some are called to rule as regents when needed. All the natural abilities a Code Guard had in life is amplified by their status as Code Guard. They maintain their skills, and many are well versed in war, combat, and some even magic. Few mortals would stand against these terrifying kings of old. 

-Kismet bend luck, drain it, use it, and gift it. Those who are granted travel will find their paths safe and unbarred as these black Carriages flow through fallen trees, fly across chasms, pass through gates, and ride in comfort beneath ocean depths. So long as one is a welcomed passenger no harm can come to the passengers of the Kismet. 

-Neiro and Kirn are not granted any real powers but tend to be powerful mages before death. A Kirn power is amplified from touching the Veil. 

-Igor can capture lightning, move through space when summoned, shape flesh, and are capable tinkers. Igors have little means of self-defense but can brew the most wonderful of teas. 

The Risen are used as the bulk of a powerful Necromancer’s undead force. Code Guard are maintained to guard royal crypts, grant wisdom, advice, and serve as regents in desperate times. Kismet mix, spread, and alter luck. Neiro and Kirn are powerful mages who forgot to die or outright defied it. 

Undead are vulnerable to Salt and Silver and Risen can enter holy places for short periods of time. Kismet can’t cross holy ground and are weakest on long stretches of uninhabited roads.