Necrotic Spike

(Wondrous Item, rare)

This black iron spike, measuring four inches in length and carved with dark runes,
is used to permanently animate a skeleton or zombie. This one-time use item radiates necrotic energy and—when driven into the skull of a corpse or collection of bones—instantly animates the remains into a zombie or skeleton under the control of the carcanet of undeath linked to the spike. Driving the spike into place is typically
done with a hammer, but a strong individual can accomplish the feat by wielding
the spike like an icepick and first making a successful hit before attempting a DC 20 Strength check.

If the spike is embedded into the skull of an existing zombie or skeleton, then the undead falls under the control of its new owner.

Driving the spike into a living person does 2 (1d4) necrotic damage, and 1 point of damage each round thereafter as necrotic energy slowly leaches their life away. A DC 5 Strength check will successfully remove the spike, but failure to do so eventually results in death and reanimation.

Driving a spike into an undead creature bestows 10 additional hit points (to a maximum of 50 new hit points and only as long as the spike is in place) but does not grant control of sentient undead to the linked carcanet.