Bone Snapper

Rumors have recently arose of large and obscenely muscled undead with root-like tissue protruding from their stumped arms, entwined around slabs of stone or other large inorganic objects. These large, undead wrecking balls have so far proved a harder nightmare to overcome for the NAU, as these fusions of flesh and stone appear stronger than their purely carnal cousins. With the arrival of such brutal and stalwart aggressors, the NAU finds the former solace of the dormant graveyards quickly fading into nothingness.

Why the graveyards have become breeding grounds for the undead after generations of seemingly inactivity, and their surprisingly enhanced strength, has sparked heated debates among the NAU scientists, with little consensus. The resolute strength and rigor of these undead shatters armor, splits flesh and snaps bone like dry sticks, hence the collective name given to these novel terrors: Bone Snapper.

The Bone Snapper rises from the graveyard after a period of hardening and transmogrification where the arms sprout root-like tendrils that weave around the nearest solid structure, usually a headstone or pillar. As the process comes to completion, the toughened and armed combatant rises from the muck and mire to stumble instinctively toward the nearest covey of the Undead Infection. For some unperceived reason, the Bone Snappers possess a natural authority among the lesser undead ranks, and if challenged quickly prove their superiority with both skill and strength. For, while greatly enhanced in strength, the 'Snappers are not witless; they seem to instead carry a primitive cunning for dealing with the contested landscape of post-Event Earth and the encountered forces of the NAU.

Bone Snappers seem to be new to the undead forces as well, a few experimental manifestations of the blight that sprout from graveyards in a batch of one or two, though large monumental (usually pre-Event) cemeteries producing upward to a score or more of these dreaded bashers. A rare Bone Snapper has been known to arise in unlikely places as well, and reflect this peculiarity in the grafted artifact, which can range from steel poles, anvils, anchors, and even the rumored ion or projectile weapon.

However, few contend which is more dangerous to encounter as the supernatural strength and fierceness of the Bone Snapper crushes all the same. If these are forecasts of the coming undead storm, the NAU may want to discover a new harbor of refuge from the rising maelstrom of evolving undeath...

Tactics: A front-line striker and brawler, a Bone Snapper wades into the middle of the fray, hammering opponents to a pulp with its massive bludgeoning weapons. However, the feral creatures do not shy away from tactical intents, working with their amassed forces to better their odds against the forces of the NAU; usually, one Snapper leads a pack of other undead, while two or more may come together to form larger hosts to combat the NAU establishments.

A 'Snapper accustomed to NAU tactics will send in forward wave of scouts or shock troops to discover positions and flush out the High-bred for the heavier hitters to move in for a powerful pincer move, frontal assault or some other trap. This combination of skill and sheer might make the Bone Snapper a formidable opponent for anyone unfortunate enough to encounter one.