Assuming I used Animate Dead on a creature and do not command them, would they have their own desires? Would they be able to talk and read?
The spell doesn't really clarify one way or the other besides they will be under your control indefinitely.
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No. They don't got no minds.
"Free" (uncontrolled) undead created by Animate dead are zombies, skeletons, or some similar flavor of automaton with nothing really keeping them going except the vague need to attack and destroy living things.
Greater undead (the kind what got minds) are always free-willed, and require some brand of magic or class ability applied post-animation to control them.
In terms of flavor text, this means that during cut scenes (but outside of "normal rules" play) undead which are controlled might attack people if the one controlling them isn't paying proper attention. They'll stop on command, but the commander has to be around to do so. It can make a plot device, if you want it to.
Is there a spell to give a undead intelligence perhaps? Since dang, level 16 is a bit longer that I'd like to wait to do what I'm planning on.
Well that depends on what you're planning.
Create Undead is level 6, that's 11 or 12 for a full caster. It allows Skeletal champions, dullahan, Draugr, and any number of other undead critters with an Int score and the capacity for class levels. Moreover it's possible to use scrolls if you just GOTTA make an undead you don't have the caster level for. You'll want an extra scroll in case the first one fails.
To date there is no "awaken undead" spell, effect, or template that I know of in Pathfinder. This isn't so much an oversight as a disinterest, there are plenty of undead to fill the role.
What, precisely, do you want?
Basically looking to revive my characters family member as undead.
So mainly looking for intelligence for RP purposes
It could be a 1 HP creature for all I care, as long as it has intelligence.
Okay, what spellcasting do you have access to, and what kind of undead do you want? Fleshy, skeletal, or doesn't matter? Smart or stupid? Lots of magic abilities or none? Vague hatred of life and angsty grumpiness, specific hatred of all life and a desire for widespread destruction, or expensive substance-abuse habit (blood, life energy, whatever) to support?
Sans other input, I recommend skeletal champion. It might not be able to talk, but it's clean, it doesn't lose any intelligence, and if you really care there are magic items that can give it telepathy or the like. Juju Zombie loses 2 int (I think) but has a bunch of decent abilities and can talk.
Create undead scroll costs around 2k gold (depends on requisite caster level) and as long as you are allowed to take 10 on your caster level check you can use it around caster level 3.
Edit: Okay, you probably want a Juju zombie, nice and low-key, takes caster level 11 or lower (not actually possible to go lower but HAND WAVING), can be cast by a level 1 with a 1650 gold scroll (take 10), has the added bonus of making vague allusions to Hoodoo rootwork and having ancestor spirits drive their own corpses around and help out their relatives. Rules and plot elements of what soul or spirit (and whether there is a difference) animates the zombie are intentionally vague so the GM has storytelling flexibility.
Check the d20PFSRD for more.
Zeeky wrote: Is there a spell to give a undead intelligence perhaps? Since dang, level 16 is a bit longer that I'd like to wait to do what I'm planning on. I don't have my copy on hand, but Inner Sea Magic has a spell that grants temporary Intelligence to a magical item, so the precedent is there, it would still be a custom spell & therefore subject to GM adjudication however...
Inner Sea Magic wrote: Intelligent object
School transmutation; Level bard 3, sorcerer/wizard 3
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
EFFECT
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Target one object
Duration 1 round/level
Saving Throw Will negates(object); Spell Resistance yes (object)
DESCRIPTION
You temporarily give an item or object the semblance of intelligence. The item is of the same alignment that you are and is considered friendly towards you. The target object can see and hear as a normal human could within a range of 60 feet, and it can speak and read any two languages you can.
If the wielder of the targeted item tries to uses it against you or your allies, the wielder must make a Will save or be unable to perform the desired action. Attacks with other weapons or abilities are unaffected.
Section 15: Copyright Notice – 101 3rd Level Spells
101 3rd Level Spells. Copyright 2011, Steven D. Russell; Author: Steven D. Russell.
Maybe an item that puts a continuous Speak with Dead on the corpse? And maybe add a few Unseen Servants to move the body around. It'll still be a corpse, but at least it's a walking, talking corpse.
Pay an evil temple to cast the spell. Its cheaper than a scroll . Actually cheaper than raise dead too.
Mojorat wrote: Pay an evil temple to cast the spell. Its cheaper than a scroll . Actually cheaper than raise dead too. Also relevant.
Actually, with appropriate lenience from the GM the most FUN option would be pay an evil temple 12k (greater undead) to turn dead family member into a ghost possessing a flying helmet. It talks, it flies, it's small and inoffensive enough to hide when you want to keep a low profile and it's like any number of tropes like Dr. Fate's helmet or Bob the talking skull.
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