Walcofinde

From PathfinderWiki
Walcofinde
(Creature)

Type
CR
2
Environment
Any underground
Alignment
Source: Crownfall, pg(s). 88-89

Walcofindes are undead created when a living creature dies after being sealed within a building, occasionally within the structure's walls, not unlike immured.1

Appearance

Walcofindes resemble zombies with bony claws, but that is not usually the form most associated with them. The undead can partially enter a wall in a sealed chamber, and manifest on the other side as a humanoid torso and arms emerging from the wall, appearing to be made of the same material as the wall.1

Abilities

Walcofindes are defined by their ability to 'possess' a wall. They can touch the wall of a chamber in which they are sealed, and manifest a torso and arms on the other side of the wall. This manifestation appears as if it is made of the same material as the wall it emerges from, but does not take on the material's properties. The manifestation is able to move slowly along the wall, interacting with and attacking creatures on the other side of the wall it is sealed behind. When the manifestation is destroyed, the walcofinde is destroyed as well. While within a sealed chamber, they are able to rapidly recover from wounds. Manifesting and un-manifesting are both slow processes, which can endanger the walcofinde if it over-extends itself.1

Ecology

Walcofindes are created after a living creature dies in a sealed chamber, often after the creature has intentionally been sealed within the chamber. These creatures typically perish via starvation. In desperation to escape, these tortured souls try to scratch their way free, scraping away the flesh from their fingers until they resemble claws.1

Scholars have remarked on the similarities between the undead known as immured and walcofindes. Both result from living creatures dying in sealed chambers, but have notably different abilities and appearances. Walcofindes can possess structures and resemble a decaying corpse, while immured resemble pale blue corpses and are able to suffocate victims. Speculation suggests the differences between the two undead creatures may be due to how their progenitors died.1

Society

Some cultures consider being buried alive a high honor, and consequently view a walcofinde being created from the body to be a blessing that grants the burial site an immortal defender. More often, walcofindes arise from the intentional burial of workers at the end of a site's construction in an attempt to maintain secrecy. Humans are common progenitors of walcofindes, followed by dwarves and halflings. Notable dwarven waconfinde-producing events include Ordrik Talhrik's rituals in honor of Droskar, which demanded the deaths of hundreds to reinforce defensive structures with walcofindes.1

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Thurston Hillman & Adrian Ng. “Bestiary” in Crownfall, 88–89. Paizo Inc., 2018