Body-snatching, grave robbing & undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Body-snatching, grave robbing & undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aliquid
01-08-07, 02:59 PM Back in the early 1800s medical schools and anatomical schools were working hard to understand the human anatomy. Major breakthroughs were made in the medical field as a result.

The problem? They needed bodies to cut apart and study, and there were few in supply. As a result there was lots of money to be made for grave-robbers or "bodysnatchers". They would dig-up recently buried bodies and sell them to the schools. Originally this was only a misdemeanour legally, so the risk was low considering the profit for selling the bodies. Then it was made illegal, except for those who died in poverty (yay for equal rights :pbbbtt:)

Then there the grave-robbers that went through egyptian tombs looking for stuff to sell. This was a major problem in the past and still can be today. Of course this really bothers art historians and archaeologists.

Anyway, back in those days, people went to a lot of effort to protect the dead of those they cared about. Iron coffins, locked tombs etc were used to stop bodysnatchers.

So... in the world of D&D, I wonder what sort of tactics the common-man would go to to protect his beloved from being turned into an udead? What laws would be in place? Clearly rich people would have high security on their burial grounds.
OravennasBrother
01-08-07, 03:10 PM So... in the world of D&D, I wonder what sort of tactics the common-man would go to to protect his beloved from being turned into an udead?
Cremation.
smeagol_lied
01-08-07, 03:14 PM Well they had iron bars to stop graverobber getting in, so maybe the iron bars thing would work. Also, would stop the body getting out.

Of course, this could create humourful situations. Necromancer dropping black onyx gems through the bars into the mouth of the corpse. "Missed. Missed. Missed. Got it in! *casts spell* You! Zombie! Hand me those gems!"

Another good but less savoury way might be to animate the body as a zombie, then kill it. Can't be re-animated. Pricey, but the rich could afford it (50gp)
Sarella Starshine
01-08-07, 03:22 PM also, don't forget that most bodies back then were burried in hallowed ground (unless the deaths were considered sucide or was from excution for vile crimes such as murder) to prevent being risen as undead. The same thing can apply in D&D were undead are a reality.
Anaxander
01-08-07, 03:43 PM Graveyards are always 'protected' by low level guards or petty wannabe necromancers.
Otherwise there wouldn't be a huge necromantic threat in every small village and less work for adventurers.
TheFacelessLord
01-08-07, 09:27 PM HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!
My Level 29 necromancer not only robs graves he also kills everyone else!!!:angelhide :angelhide :angelhide
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer
01-09-07, 10:23 AM HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!
My Level 29 necromancer not only robs graves he also kills everyone else!!!:angelhide :angelhide :angelhide

Your Necromancer is gaining levels really quick.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aliquid 01-08-07, 02:59 PM	Back in the early 1800s medical schools and anatomical schools were working hard to understand the human anatomy. Major breakthroughs were made in the medical field as a result. The problem? They needed bodies to cut apart and study, and there were few in supply. As a result there was lots of money to be made for grave-robbers or "bodysnatchers". They would dig-up recently buried bodies and sell them to the schools. Originally this was only a misdemeanour legally, so the risk was low considering the profit for selling the bodies. Then it was made illegal, except for those who died in poverty (yay for equal rights :pbbbtt:) Then there the grave-robbers that went through egyptian tombs looking for stuff to sell. This was a major problem in the past and still can be today. Of course this really bothers art historians and archaeologists. Anyway, back in those days, people went to a lot of effort to protect the dead of those they cared about. Iron coffins, locked tombs etc were used to stop bodysnatchers. So... in the world of D&D, I wonder what sort of tactics the common-man would go to to protect his beloved from being turned into an udead? What laws would be in place? Clearly rich people would have high security on their burial grounds.
OravennasBrother 01-08-07, 03:10 PM	So... in the world of D&D, I wonder what sort of tactics the common-man would go to to protect his beloved from being turned into an udead? Cremation.
smeagol_lied 01-08-07, 03:14 PM	Well they had iron bars to stop graverobber getting in, so maybe the iron bars thing would work. Also, would stop the body getting out. Of course, this could create humourful situations. Necromancer dropping black onyx gems through the bars into the mouth of the corpse. "Missed. Missed. Missed. Got it in! casts spell You! Zombie! Hand me those gems!" Another good but less savoury way might be to animate the body as a zombie, then kill it. Can't be re-animated. Pricey, but the rich could afford it (50gp)
Sarella Starshine 01-08-07, 03:22 PM	also, don't forget that most bodies back then were burried in hallowed ground (unless the deaths were considered sucide or was from excution for vile crimes such as murder) to prevent being risen as undead. The same thing can apply in D&D were undead are a reality.
Anaxander 01-08-07, 03:43 PM	Graveyards are always 'protected' by low level guards or petty wannabe necromancers. Otherwise there wouldn't be a huge necromantic threat in every small village and less work for adventurers.
TheFacelessLord 01-08-07, 09:27 PM	HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!! My Level 29 necromancer not only robs graves he also kills everyone else!!!:angelhide :angelhide :angelhide
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 01-09-07, 10:23 AM	HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!! My Level 29 necromancer not only robs graves he also kills everyone else!!!:angelhide :angelhide :angelhide Your Necromancer is gaining levels really quick.