Changes

The final, fifth tier of Dead are the Ascended Dead. Often simply called the Ascended, they are called such because they managed to endure the transformative process induced by the [[#Curse|curse of the living Dead]] without losing any of their their mental prowess. In fact, many of them became even more intelligent and cunning, and gain a large amount of power upon completing their painful metamorphosis. An Ascended Dead's mind and thoughts are so interwoven with the curse that they can bend its properties to its will in many miraculous ways. The Ascended often boast control of their own unliving flesh, and are so powerful that very few parties of mortal adventurers can hope to match their prowess. While lower tiers of Dead develop along particular default forms, Ascended Dead are unique creatures. They can take the from of terrible beasts, amorphous entities, or near-humanoids. Many of the Ascended can induce {{Anchor|Malformations }} into other Dead or themselves, and some have abilities that allow them to impair or impede the motions of cursed mortals. Only the strongest willed, most powerful and resolute of mortals become ascended Dead. Ascended Dead come in two types; [[Living Dead (3.5e Template)|Living Dead]] and the [[#Supreme Dead|Supreme Dead]], as detailed below.

'''{{Anchor|Curse Detection}} {{Su}}:''' An ascended Dead can sense the proximity and direction of ambient carriers of the [[#Curse|curse]], up to a distance of 100 feet per [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Die]]. This ability functions as [[SRD:Blindsight and Blindsense and Blindsight#Blindsense|blindsense]], but it only lets them detect other Dead and living creatures afflicted by the [[#Curse|curse]]. Within 60 feet of the ascended Dead, this ability instead functions as [[SRD:Blindsight and Blindsense and Blindsight#Blindsight|blindsight]] related to these types of creatures. '''{{Anchor|Malform}} {{Su}}:''' An Ascended's control over the curse allows them to mutate their own flesh or that of other Dead. As a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]], an Ascended may bestow a single [[#Malformations|malformation]] of their choosing upon the target Dead. This malformation is in addition to any of the malformations the target may have naturally and is permanent until dismissed. A Dead may only be granted one aqditional malformation as a result of this ability at any given time. Bestowing another malformation to the target overwrites the first granted by this ability, even if it is applied by another Ascended.