Editing Undead vs Unliving

'''Undead / once-living'''

Mummies, skeletons, zombies, wights, vampires, liches, black knights, dread knights, bone dragons, and ghost dragons.

* Undead
* '''''Animated by unholy magic (necromancy/animate dead)'''''
* '''''Unaffected by resurrection/sacrifice'''''
* Unaffected by death cloud of liches
* Unaffected by morale
* Unaffected by mind spells
* Unaffected by the elixir of life
* Can't be drained by [[Vampires]]

'''Unliving / non-living / never-living'''

Elementals, golems, mechanicals and gargoyles.

* Non-living/unliving
* Non-undead
* Animated by neutral magic or physically constructed from never-living materials/elements
* '''''Unaffected by resurrection/sacrifice'''''
* '''''Unaffected by unholy magic (necromancy/animate dead)'''''
* '''''Affected by repairing (only physically constructed mechanicals)'''''
* Unaffected by death cloud of liches
* Unaffected by morale (except gargoyles)
* Unaffected by mind spells (except gargoyles)
* Unaffected by the elixir of life
* Can't be drained by [[Vampires]]

'''Living / only-ever-living-but-possibly-resurrected-or-brought-back-through-sacrificial-rites'''

All creatures not listed above.

* Non-undead
* '''''Brought back to life by good/evil magic (resurrection/sacrifice)'''''
* '''''Unaffected by unholy magic (necromancy/animate dead)'''''
* Affected by death cloud of liches
* Affected by morale
* Affected by the elixir of life
* '''Can''' be drained by vampires

<br>

= Notes =
[[Death Knight|Death knights]], [[Necromancy|skeletons]], and [[Vampire and Vampire Lord|vampires]] are all described as being '''resurrected'''. This seems to be an oversight in the manual. It could have been written that they were animated through '''unholy magic''' or '''unholy resurrection''' or just necromancy.

[[Stone Gargoyle and Obsidian Gargoyle|Gargoyles]], [[Stone Golem and Iron Golem|go]][[Gold Golem|le]][[Diamond Golem|ms]], [[Walking Dead and Zombie|zombies]], and [[Water Elemental and Ice Elemental|elementals]] are all described as being '''animated''' by magic.

[[Crystal Dragon|Crystal dragons]] are described as being '''brought to life through magical means'''. The manual also states that they are often '''created''' by wizards for the crystal they shed. The quest objective of the dragon slayer campaign is defeating a "crystal golem dragon". In the video they state that they have succeeded in creating a dragon golem out of the finest crystal. Despite these references to the crystal dragons as golems, as far as the game mechanics are concerned they are considered to be living creatures.

In all three manuals, the word '''non-undead''' is only used twice and only in the Restoration of Erathia manual. It is used to describe creatures that can be [[sacrifice|'''sacrificed''']] as well as creatures that are damaged by the death cloud of [[Lich and Power Lich|liches]]. The manual fails to mention that elementals, golems, and gargoyles are also immune to the death cloud.

The word '''living''' is only used in the Restoration of Erathia manual and it is only used once. It is used to describe creatures that lose [[morale]] when in the same army as '''undead''' creatures. The manual fails to mention gargoyles, which also lose morale when in an army with '''undead''' creatures. The elixir of life plainly states that it does not affect '''non-living''' (or '''undead''') creatures. The elixir of life does not affect gargoyles other than the basic increase in health provided by the lesser artifacts in the set.

:I am too busy to correct the whole text, so I'll lay this down; here's some text from Clash of Dragons:
:"Well, they aren't true Dragons, although the powerful process Wizards use to create them involves crushed Dragon bones.  Hence, Mutare is still able to control them.  They are strong beasts with a one-track mind.  Thankfully, they neither have wings nor a breath weapon...."
:Presumably, they still have some soul or living essence in them at the very least, and that's what makes them alive. The precedence of inorganic living creatures exists too, Angels and perhaps even Titans (if delving deep into the MM lore, you'd realize it's not uncommon to have souls inhabit artificial bodies).--[[User:FirePaladin2|FirePaladin2]] ([[User talk:FirePaladin2|talk]]) 16:02, 23 April 2021 (UTC)

The words '''unliving''', '''un-living''', '''nonliving''', and '''non-living''' are not referenced in either the Restoration of Erathia manual, or the Armageddon's Blade manual.

The same is true in the Shadow of Death manual, except for a single reference to '''non-living''' when describing creatures '''unaffected by the {{l|Elixir of Life}}'''. It also implies that '''non-living''' refers to a creature group that is distinct from the '''undead'''. The in-game description for the elixir of life replaces the word '''non-living''' with '''unliving''', which is also the only place the word '''unliving''' is ever seen.

= From the Restoration of Erathia manual =

== Hero Types ==

=== Alchemist ===
Alchemists are skilled in physical and chemical magic, particularly so in the building and
'''animation''' of golems. Working their craft builds muscular strength, which makes Alchemists ready
learners of military skills as well. Their armor is composed of rare metal alloys created through their skill
in alchemy.


=== Death Knights ===
Death Knights are knights '''resurrected''' as liches. While they maintain their former
martial learnings, their new forms open them more freely to the learning of magic.


=== Necromancer ===
Necromancers are magic users seduced by the easy power of death magic. The price of
their art is its practice slowly drains life from its wielders—eventually '''transforming''' them into liches.


== Skills ==

=== Necromancy ===

When the hero wins in battle, a portion of the opposition killed is '''resurrected'''
as skeletons and added to the hero’s army.

Basic 10% of enemy creatures killed are '''resurrected'''.
Advanced 20% of enemy creatures killed are '''resurrected'''.
Expert 30% of enemy creatures killed are '''resurrected'''.


=== Morale ===

Each army has a morale rating which acts as a bonus to the individual morale of its troops. Troops in an
army with positive morale have a chance for a second action during their action phase. Troops with
negative morale have a chance of freezing each round. The morale rating for an army is normally zero
but is affected thusly:
: -1 if '''undead''' creatures are mixed with '''living''' creatures
: +1 if all creatures are of the same town type (except Necropolis)
: -1 for each town type mixed beyond two town types
'''Undead''' creatures and elementals have a '''morale of zero''', independent of their army’s morale rating.
Various creatures, spells, hero skills, town buildings, adventure sites, and artifacts can permanently, or
temporarily affect morale.


== Spells ==

=== Destroy Undead ===

Basic Effect All '''undead''' creature troops receive ((Power x 10) +10) damage.
Advanced Effect All '''undead''' creature troops receive ((Power x 10) +20) damage.
Expert Effect All '''undead''' creature troops receive ((Power x 10) + 50) damage.


=== Death Ripple ===

Basic Effect All creatures (except '''undead''') troops take ((Power x 5) + 10) damage.
Advanced Effect All creatures (except '''undead''') troops take ((Power x 5) + 20) damage.
Expert Effect All creatures (except '''undead''') troops take ((Power x 5) + 30) damage.


=== Animate Dead ===

Basic Effect '''Reanimates''' ((Power x 50) + 30) health points worth of killed '''undead'''
creatures in target, allied troop.
Advanced Effect '''Reanimates''' ((Power x 50) + 60) health points worth of killed '''undead'''
creatures in target, allied troop.
Expert Effect '''Reanimates''' ((Power x 50) + 160) health points worth of killed '''undead'''
creatures in target, allied troop.


=== Resurrection ===

Basic Effect Target, allied troop with dead creatures has ((Power x 50) + 40) health
worth of creatures restored to life for the duration of the current battle.
Advanced Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that ((Power x 50) +80) health worth of
creatures are restored permanently.
Expert Effect Same as Advanced Effect, except that ((Power x 50 + 160) health worth
of creatures are restored.


=== Sacrifice ===

Basic Effect Target, '''non-undead''' troop is '''sacrificed''' (destroyed). Then another target
dead troop has ((Power + Destroyed Troop’s Creature Base Health + 3)
x # of Creatures '''Sacrificed''') in health total of creatures returned to life.
Advanced Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that health total of creatures '''resurrected''' is
((Power + Destroyed Troop’s Creature Base Health + 6) x # of Creatures
'''Sacrificed''').
Expert Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that health total of creatures '''resurrected''' is
((Power + Destroyed Troop’s Creature Base Health + 10) x # of
Creatures '''Sacrificed''').


=== Summon Air Elemental ===

Basic Effect A troop containing (Power x 2) air elementals appears on the side of the casting
player. Only one type of elemental can be summoned.
Advanced Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that (Power x 3) air elementals are summoned.
Expert Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that (Power x 4) air elementals are summoned.


=== Summon Earth Elemental ===

Basic Effect A troop containing (Power x 2) Earth Elementals appears on the side of the
casting player. Only one type of elemental can be summoned.
Advanced Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that (Power x 3) earth elementals are summoned.
Expert Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that (Power x 4) earth elementals are summoned.


=== Summon Fire Elemental ===

Basic Effect A troop containing (Power x 2) fire elementals appears on the side of the
casting player. Only one type of elemental can be summoned.
Advanced Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that (Power x 3) fire elementals are summoned.
Expert Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that (Power x 4) fire elementals are summoned.


=== Summon Water Elemental ===

Basic Effect A troop containing (Power x 2) water elementals appears on the side of the
casting player. Only one type of elemental can be summoned.
Advanced Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that (Power x 3) water elementals are summoned.
Expert Effect Same as Basic Effect, except that (Power x 4) water elementals are summoned.


== Creatures ==

=== Angels & Archangels ===

With their great offensive and defensive
power and flying ability, angels and
archangels are among the mightiest
creatures in the game. Both do 150%
damage when attacking devils.
Additionally, the archangel is able to
'''resurrect''' dead allied troops once per
combat.


=== Pit Fiends & Pit Lords ===

Pit fiends and pit lords attack with
tormenting whip blows. Once per
combat, pit lords are able to '''resurrect'''
dead allied troops as demons in place
of another action. The number raised
cannot be higher than the number of
pit lords performing the '''resurrection'''.


=== Skeletons & Skeleton Warriors ===

While skeletons and skeleton warriors are
average foot soldiers individually, it is
possible to build massively populated
troops of them. They are numerously
produced, are the main creature produced
by the Necromancy secondary skill, and
other creature types can be '''converted''' into
them at Necropolis skeleton transformers.


=== Walking Dead & Zombies ===

Walking Dead and Zombies are
magically '''animated''' corpses. Zombies
have a 20% chance to cause disease in
creatures they attack. Diseased
creatures have their attack and defense
ratings reduced by two for a period of
three rounds.


=== Wights & Wraiths ===

Wights and wraiths are life destroying
spirits damaging their opponents by
draining life. The first wight or wraith
in each troop '''regenerates''' all lost
damage at the beginning of each
combat round. While wraiths appear
on the battlefield, two spell points per
turn are drained from an enemy
spellcaster’s spell pool.


=== Vampires & Vampire Lords ===

The attacks of vampires and vampire
lords cannot be retaliated against.
Vampire Lords are able to '''resurrect'''
members of their own troops by
replenishing health equal to the
amount of damage they inflict on others.


=== Liches & Power Liches ===

Liches attack at range with a death
cloud, which always causes damage in
the target hex and also attacks all
'''non-undead''' creatures in adjacent
hexes. At close range they defend
themselves less efficiently with blows
from their scepters.


=== Black Knights & Dread Knights ===

Knights have a 20% chance of cursing
opponents they strike. Cursed creatures
inflict only minimum damage in their
own attacks. Dread knights’ attacks
also have a 20% chance of inflicting
double damage death blows.


=== Bone and Ghost Dragons ===

Bone and ghost dragons are raised from
dragon corpses. Both of these
creatures have a ferocious biting attack
and lower the morale of enemy units by
one when they appear on the battlefield.
Ghost Dragon attacks have a 20%
chance of aging their targets. Aged
troops have the hit points of all their
members halved.


=== Stone & Obsidian Gargoyles ===

Stone and obsidian gargoyles are
demon-form statues '''animated''' for use
as troops. They attack with raking
claws.


=== Stone & Iron Golems ===

Stone and iron golems are built and
'''animated''' through a process involving
both precise craftsmanship and
complex magic. Though slow, they are
strong and durable combatants. Stone
golems take half damage from spell
attacks, while iron golems take only a
quarter of such damage.


== Neutral Creatures ==

These creatures are not associated with any particular town type but may be found wandering the lands
of Erathia. All elementals and golems have neutral morale and immunity to poison. Some locations found
on the Adventure Map may offer these creatures up for recruitment.


=== Gold & Diamond Golems ===

Like the stone and iron golems found in Tower towns, diamond and gold golems are highly crafted statues
'''animated''' through magic. Spells have only a 15% chance of affecting gold golems and a mere 5%
chance of affecting a diamond golem.


=== Elementals ===

Air elementals are powered by the same forces as
Air Magic. They are immune to the Blind and
Meteor Shower spells. They take double damage
from Firestorm, Lightning Bolt, and Chain
Lightning.

Earth elementals are forces of Earth Magic. They
take no damage from Lightning Bolt, Chain
Lightning, and Firestorm spells. They take double
damage from Meteor Storm attacks.

Fire elementals are burning spirits of Fire Magic.
They are immune to all Fire School spells, but
they take double damage from Ice Ray and Frost
Ring attacks.

Water Magic '''animates''' the water elemental. These
creatures are Immune to Ice Ray and Frost Ring
spells, but take double damage from Firewall,
Combustion, Fireblast, and Fireshield attacks.


= From the Armageddon's Blade manual =

== Conflux Towns ==

A Conflux is home to the Elementalist and Planeswalker. Composed primarily of elemental creatures,
the Conflux also offers home to the Sprites and the elusive Phoenix. What makes Conflux towns
unique is their emphasis on creatures of mid-range power. Generals continue to debate if this is the
strategic strength or weakness of the town. Regardless, all agree it takes an astute commander to
effectively lead a Conflux army. All elementals have neutral morale and immunity to poison.


=== Air Elementals ===

Air Elementals are powered by the same
forces as Air Magic. They are immune
to Mind and Meteor Shower spells.
They take double damage from
Firestorm, Lightning Bolt and Chain
Lightning spells. Storm Elementals
wield lightning as their primary attack.
They also have the additional ability to
cast the spell Protection from Air.


=== Water Elementals ===

Water Magic '''animates''' the Water Elemental.
These creatures are immune to Mind, Ice
Ray and Frost Ring spells, but take double
damage from Fire Wall, Inferno, Fireball,
and Fire Shield spells. Because their form is
more solid, Ice Elementals have the ability
to throw deadly ice tridents. Additionally,
they have the ability to cast the spell
Protection from Water.


=== Fire Elementals ===

Fire Elementals are burning spirits of
Fire Magic. They are immune to all
Mind and Fire School spells, but take
double damage from Ice Ray and Frost
Ring attacks. Energy Elementals gain
the ability to fly and can also cast the
spell Protection from Fire.


=== Earth Elementals ===

Earth Elementals are forces of Earth Magic.
They take no damage from Mind, Lightning
Bolt, Chain Lightning, and Firestorm spells.
They take double damage from Meteor Storm
attacks. From a source deep beneath the
world's surface, roam the Magma Elementals.
Slightly stronger than their earthen counterparts,
Magma Elementals can also cast the
spell Protection from Earth.


=== Psychic Elementals ===

Psychic Elementals are the physical evidence
of what many consider the fifth element:
thought. These creatures are immune to
Mind spells. Their attacks overpower the
minds of all those surrounding them, causing
enough pain to kill. Enemies enduring such
an attack rarely are capable of a retaliatory
strike. Magic Elementals are a product of the
sixth element: magic. Magic Elementals are
also immune to all forms of magic.


=== Firebirds & Phoenixes ===

Firebirds are worldly manifestations
of creatures from the elemental plane
of fire. These magnificent beasts are
as quick as fire itself and immune to
spells of the same nature. Phoenixes,
the more powerful incarnation of the
Firebird, can '''resurrect''' some of its
number from the ashes of its own
demise.


= From the Shadow of Death manual =

== Creatures ==

=== Storm Elementals ===

Storm Elementals are the more
powerful cousins to the Air
Elementals and fire lightning
bolts as their primary attack.
They are immune to Blind and
Meteor Shower spells, take
double damage from Fireball,
Lightning Bolt and Chain
Lightning spells, and can cast
the spell Protection from Air.


=== Ice Elementals ===

Because their form is more solid
than the Water Elemental, Ice
Elementals have the ability to
throw deadly ice tridents. These
creatures are immune to Ice Ray
and Frost Ring spells, but take
double damage from Fire Wall ,
Inferno, Fireball and Fire shield.
They can also cast the spell
Protection from Water.


=== Energy Elementals ===

As the more powerful versions of
the Fire Elementals they are
immune to all Fire School spells,
but take double damage from Ice
Ray and Frost Ring. The Energy
Elemental gains the ability to fly
and can cast the spell Protection
from Fire.


=== Magma Elementals ===

From a source deep beneath the
world's surface, roam the Magma
Elementals. Magma Elementals
take no damage from Lightning
Bolt, Chain Lightning, and
Firestorm spells, but take double
damage from Meteor Storm
attacks. Slightly stronger than
their earthen counterparts,
Magma Elementals can also cast
the spell Protection from Earth.


=== Psychic Elementals ===

Psychic Elementals are the
physical creation and evidence
of what many consider the fifth
element: thought. These creatures
a re immune to mind spells, and
their attacks overpower the
minds of all those surrounding
them, causing enough pain to
kill. Enemies enduring such an
attack rarely are capable of a
retaliatory strike.


=== Magic Elementals ===

Magic Elementals are a
product of the sixth element:
magic. Though their attack
is less mysterious than the
Psychic Elemental, it is more
powerful. Magic Elementals
are also immune to all forms
of magic.


=== Firebirds ===

Firebirds are worldly
manifestations of creatures
from the elemental plane of
fire. These magnificent beasts
are as quick as fire itself
and immune to spells of
the same nature.


=== Phoenixes ===

Phoenixes, the more powerful
incarnation of the Firebird,
can '''resurrect''' some of their
numbers from the ashes of
their own demise.


=== Crystal Dragons ===
Made entirely from red crystal
and '''brought to life through'''
'''magical means''', the Crystal
Dragon is literally semitransparent, lit from the center by
its magical heart. Used frequently
as a training tool for young
dragon slayers, many wizards
also '''create''' these creatures for the
crystal they shed.


== Artifacts ==

=== Cloak of the Undead King ===

30% of battlefield dead are
'''resurrected''' as Skeletons. If hero
already has the Necromancy skill
then the percentages are added
to the skill and the level of skill
determines what type is
'''resurrected'''. Basic: Zombies. Advanced: Wights. Expert: Liches.


==== Elixir of Life ====

All creatures get a 25% health
bonus and gain the regeneration
ability. Does not work on '''Undead'''
or '''non-living''' creatures.

[[Category:Terms]]