With no helm or hat, closer inspection reveals that part of his face has rotted away. "Give me orders!"
History
The legendary cursing of the general and his army goes back a couple of generations. Usurper Cainite was at war with his cousin, Emperor Rickard. Although Cainite believed that he was the rightful heir to the throne, Cainite and Rickard were mainly political enemies, not personal ones. Cainite's sister, Aica, was even married to Rickard.
Cainite had started a war against his cousin in order to take over the throne. He had begun winning the war through the help of General Galathus and his powerful army. What Cainite was not aware of was that Galathus was using any means to win his battles including less than honorable deeds. Eventually, Cainite ordered the general to attack the royal palace but to not harm any royalty including Rickard. This was primarily in fear of his sister's life. Galathus, in his bloodthirsty state, massacred the entire palace including the emperor, his family and Aica.
When the general returned from his campaign, Cainite recognized a ruby tipped pin that the general wore on his epaulet. The pin was a gift from Cainite to Aica for her wedding. In his rage, Cainite had the entire army executed, most by beheadings. The general, his officers, and a handful of soldiers were put to the gallows. While their bodies swung on the beams, Cainite was noted to have yelled out:
Galathus!
For all your military prowess, you are a miserable, dishonorable cad.
You have shamed yourself with your black heart that is as cold as metal.
You are nothing but a rotting shell of a man.
I curse you and your men to remain my pawns, my toys, for all eternity...
And you will obey my every command!
However, Cainite's curse was more powerful than imagined. The next morning, Galathus and his noosed men had disappeared from the gallows.
Some say that Galathus supporters took the bodies to scare Cainite. Others say that Cainite had the bodies removed and burned. However, over the years, it was realized that perhaps Cainite had necromantic powers and that the curse turned Galathus and his men into aspects of the curse.
Full Item Description
These detailed pewter miniatures consist of a general, three officers, and ten soldiers. Though they have no predisposed container that they are stored in, they can usually be found in a box or pouch.
General - Standing at about 6 inches, the largest of all the miniatures, the general has been painted to depict a horribly disfigured zombie wearing some body armor with the general insignia. With no helm or hat, closer inspection reveals that part of his face has rotted away.
Officers - These three mid-sized miniatures, standing about 4 inches, have also been painted to depict ghoulish properties such as green and grey rotting flesh. Each officer's helm notes the respected rank insignias.
Soldiers - None of these 3 inch miniatures have color, but they look exactly alike: skeletons bearing a sword and shield.
Magic/Cursed Properties
The undead general has been enchanted to obey whoever holds him. The warmth of living flesh will animate the general. The general will then "wake up" his troop to take action. However, first the general will first decide if his army is up the orders provided, however, there are some possible drawbacks. If the general is asked to:
Attack people - The general will relish in this task and comply 100% of the time.
Rescue people - The general will weigh his options first thereby giving a 50% chance.
Infiltrate people or situation - The general will gladly comply 100% of the time.
Recon - The general will comply 100% of the time but may attack with no orders given.
Perform a demeaning task - Things like cleaning, cooking, or any other form of domesticated actions, and the general will rebel against the owner 100% of the time.
Unfortunately, regardless of the orders given, the general and his undead army suffer a major handicap or two or ten. The army remains its exact size and they have no actual power other than the ability to be animated and their knowledge of the military. Therefore, any task given could take weeks or months to occur. In some cases, they never occur. Emperor Thaleus XVII realized this when he commanded the undead army to attack his enemies that resided 800 leagues away. When Thaleus' personal guard noticed that the undead army was still traveling within the palace 2 days later, Thaleus called off the attack and sent the army off to his adolescent son as toys.
Where are they now?
The undead army is believed to be in the hands of Donaleus, bastard son of Emperor Thaleaus, who is already a notorious bully at an all-boys private school.
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The idea is good, the fact that they stay the same size is ripe for evil GM time (laughs evilly). But this is overshadowed by the fact that there is no backstory. Who made them? What happened to them after that? I suggest that you put this one in the "in work" section until you get the specifics worked out. I'm holding my vote until this is changed.
I will hold my vote for now too.
Updated: Updated with history.
Ohh, too bad there's not more of them. But it makes sense. If I may point at one thing: the percentages seem not necessary here; simply state that he will do this or always rebel, or will behave in certain ways half the time. Also, the 'Infiltrate people or situation' seems not much different than 'Recon'.
A nice little item with a touch of the legendary. Me likes.
I enjoyed it. Very funny that they are miniatures and it took me a moment to catch that. That was the key to the post for me taking it from a ok to a laugh and fun thoughts about using them. Night at the Museum type stuff and they can cause some havoc.
I like it!
This is fairly cool, but I have a question. Since the toys have been around for a while, do they show wear (such as features smoothing down with time or missing limbs), or do they look pristine--you know, other than the rotting flesh?
I second everything manfred said. I like this one. Quirky and begs to be used in a game.
Miniature mayhem!
I find the background a little heavy, but not bad. I like the item, and that they stay small avoids them being overpowering. Nicely done!
Oh, the chess games against mini golems they will have.