Shrouders, the cryptic undead of Crius, owe their existence to the dark artistry of Viscerath, the god of the undead. Seeping like a virus beneath the planet's surface upon Viscerath's demise, their influence wove a web that ensnared beings of all kinds, awakening them into an undead state. Yet, these souls are not fully alive; instead, they inhabit artificial bodies, a macabre fusion of papery skin over bone and glowing, spectral limbs.

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Their peculiar existence, lasting 200-400 years in what they call their "second life," defies the natural order Vuntur, the goddess of balance, upholds. Protected from Vuntur's gaze by their patron deity Viscerath, Shrouders live in a liminal state, their physical forms slowly peeling away like strips of paper until only the phantasmal remains, turning them into spirits once more.

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Unconventional in their needs, Shrouders don't eat for sustenance but indulge in the flavors and satisfaction of food, with candy ranking among their favorites, affecting their bodies much like alcohol does the living. They do not require sleep but do need meditative rests periodically to maintain their undead form. Myths and superstitions shroud them, portraying them as chaotic and melancholic, haunted by the unnatural essence of their existence.

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Despite their unnerving state, they hold forgotten knowledge, their memories retained through muscle memory. Undead blacksmiths, wielding bone hilts and soulsteel blades, craft weapons with a mastery that defies their deathly condition.

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The Shrouders mark the passage of the departed with a funeral festival. An effigy of the deceased is set ablaze, symbolizing their transition to a final death. Once awakened, however, Shrouders are forbidden from interacting with their past lives, embracing a nomadic existence.

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The conflict within their community arises from the dual desire to preserve their race while acknowledging the aversion others have to becoming undead. Burying the deceased with solemn prayers prevents their transition into the undead, resulting in many Shrouders emerging from tragic or solitary backgrounds, their bodies never properly laid to rest. In this delicate balance between life and death, the Shrouders navigate a world where their existence challenges both the natural order and societal norms.

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The Shrouders, in their pursuit of sustaining their spectral existence, have devised the Veilweave Rite—a mysterious and intricate ceremony to birth new members into their race. The ritual begins with the selection of a suitable deceased body with no protective prayers given to it.

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Upon an elaborate stone altar in the heart of their spectral enclave, the chosen corpse is laid, adorned with Ghost Lilies. These macabre plants symbolize life's fleeting nature and the celestial energy that intertwines with the Shrouders. Cultivated in secret gardens, these flowers carry a mystical essence enhancing the ceremony's potency. Sacred dirt, touched by the god of undeath, is poured into the lifeless form.

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Skilled Shrouder necromancers, clad in dark ceremonial robes adorned with spectral symbols, perform a ghostly dance around the altar. Using bone staves etched with cryptic runes, they chant ethereal incantations, calling upon Viscera to channel through the lily-covered body. At the ritual's climax, an alchemical mixture is poured over the corpse, blending rare herbs, celestial essence, and secret elixirs. This infusion completes the process, giving rise to a new Shrouder.

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Shrouder garments mix the physical and the immaterial, featuring billowing layers in somber hues, ethereal cloaks trailing behind, and high-collared jackets adorned with bone motifs. Bone jewelry, including rings and necklaces engraved with celestial symbols, serves as both adornment and homage to their god. Elaborate headwear, like wide-brimmed hats with feathers and veils, contributes to an alluring and mysterious silhouette while allowing their phantasmal pieces to unfold. Practical yet stylish knee-high leather boots, embellished with bone clasps, complete their gothic and mysterious ensemble.

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