So in the current game I’m running I’ve already had 4 deaths and new characters and I was already planning an undead invasion but it hit me. I’ll do Blackest night. Create magic rings that when they find dead people or resurrected people it bonds to them and covers them in appropriate armor: Full Plate for martial users, bracers of Armor for Monks and Non armored Casters. Because its for NPC I don’t really need to worry about cost but I do need the abilities of the rings clearly mapped out.
I’m thinking so far unbonded Rings are semi intelligent with ability to seek and rise dead and resurrected as Graveknights. Those it rises are risen as the evil version of their alignment (LE, NE, CE). Paladins and Clerics or good gods who are at peace in death can not be risen.
Bonded rings create either +2 adamantine full plate or +8 adamantine bracers of armor depending of host’s armor restrictions. The ring is also able to temporarily mask the undead appearance to get close to former loved ones only to drop at last minute to harvest either the heart like in comics or steal their soul. If I go with soul option I’ll give spell like ability of enervation and create soul gem.
The ultimate goal would be to harvest enough hearts or souls to free Orcus or a different undead deity and summon them on material plane.