Since the Long Fall, some of the folk who die in the World Beyond the Fall will rise again with the Necrotic Stigmata in a process called Spontaneous Necromorphosis. This can only happen if the individual does not have any Imbued Stigmata. The chance of this happening is greatly improved if an individual is recently (within the last 24 hours) injured by a Necrotic being or if they die near a Death-stone (or a place of similar power, such as a Grave-yard or a Bone-yard).

The impact of the Risen’s existence is not a small one upon the different cultures of the World Beyond the Fall. While the incidence of Necromorphosis is not a common occurrence, it has sparked certain funereal rites to include cremation and/or burial. Some places even install bells attached to the coffins of their dead, to alert their loved ones that they need extraction.

To some, the idea that the dead can come back to life means that their family and friends have a chance at returning. To others, this means that certain vile personages may never die and give peace to the rest of the world. The reality is that Spontaneous Necromorphosis tends to be a rare occurrence except in the isolated and wild regions of the world. Furthermore, the Risen that return to their friends and family are hardly the same person that had died -- there are reports of them being possessed of a feral hunger or being numb to emotional attachments.

Scholars and Doctors have been studying Necromorphosis and the Risen since the Long Fall. They have drawn precious few conclusions that have answered the most pressing of questions.

What they have discovered is that Necrotic individuals are still alive, although in a state of near death. Their organs and musculature still function and renew as they did when they were alive, although they are unable to procreate. However, they operate strangely, as though also powered and nourished by some intangible force.

Strangely, there are no recorded Risen that became so before they reached their 18th year. Some believe it is a function of certain bodily processes that are needed to be complete while others claim that the spirits of younger individuals are not strong enough to survive the ravages of Necromorphosis.

Necrotic individuals show some resilience to the ravages of age and antiquity. There are some Risen who remember the Long Fall itself, although their memories are marred. It is believed that with sufficient sustenance, a Necrotic individual is expected to survive for decades. However, it is also believed that the minds of the Risen are not so resilient -- some claim that the eldest Risen eventually fall prey to their own hungers and madnesses.

Even modern Risen suffer from short-term and long-term memory problems on occasion. There are dark tales of ancient Risen walking into the wilderness to fall prey to some terrible monster or walking off of a great height instead of succumbing to a madness that hurts their loved ones.

Few are blessed and cursed to be Risen, and only some of these individuals gain the power to cast spells. Only Soul Reavers and Shadow Hunters can harness the powers of sorcery and become Arcanists and/or use the Etheric Arcana skill.

Risen Arcanists prefer more subtle aspects of magic, such as Obfuscation, Transmutation, or Detection. They take up roles of guides and leaders in their groups rather than the front ranks, making up for their more fragile frames by supporting their allies or bewitching their enemies.

These are simple role-play notes that you may choose to add to your character that reflect the influence of the Necrotic Stigmata upon their personality. You may pick any or none of them for your character.

— Detached: The Risen remain a part of humanity despite their pained existence. However, many feel displaced from the rest of the world. This may manifest in a callousness for others beyond one’s selfish needs or a driving force to discover something that could hold their interest. A rare few go in the other direction, becoming busy-bodies that interfere and help in everyone else’s lives to quell their own doubts and silences.

— Protective: Many Risen tend to be protective of their charges, attempting to persuade them from dangerous activities or doggedly going with them when said persuasion does not succeed. For a rare few, this may even stray unto perilous obsession or possessiveness, though such individuals are easily disabused of the notion when informed accordingly -- still, there is something about this Stigmata that pulls its people toward others.

— Reckless: Some Risen simply shrug off the hurt and the trauma they suffered from their prior demise(s). When peril calls forth, they are the first to the fray. When threatened with danger, they ready their spells and scoff. This often leads to injury or even death, but those that survive simply bolster their defenses and continue their hazardous lifestyle.

There are three Necrotic Subtypes within the Stigmata. Each Risen comes from one Subtype, although there are a few that branch out to another. Player Characters may have Traits from one of the Necrotic Subtypes. Once per character, they may expend a Milestone to gain the Unique Subtype Milestone and gain a Trait from another Necrotic Subtype, thereby gaining access to the other Traits of that Subtype. No character can have more than two Subtypes at a time.

— Corpse Gaunt: Friyos of this Subtype are born of a thirst for vengeance. Many are crisscrossed with scars or stitched flesh and find it very difficult to stop their own fury from erupting into violence.

— Shadow Hunters: Risen of this Subtype are skilled at tracking and stalking their prey. They are creatures of the night and its symphonies -- as capable and as vorpal as the jaguar and the owl. They despise the sun and flames cause them immense agony. Shadow Hunters can learn Etheric Arcana and become Arcanists.

— Soul Reaver: Necrotic individuals of the Soul Reaver Subtype hunger for the blood and spiritual energy of others. Despite their bloodlust, they are social beings, surrounding themselves with allies and willing prey to compensate for their weakened flesh. Soul Reavers can learn Etheric Arcana and become Arcanists.