The Withered Ones
Deep within the Nether, can be found a strange condition found nowhere else. This effect is simply referred to as, The Wither. The Wither is the after effects of a much more controversial topic however, one rarely discussed for centuries as it has been outlawed. That topic, is necromancy.
In the ancient times of The Great Mushroom War, using the power of Nether Wart, powerful Red Mushroom spell casters brought the dead back to the world of the living, to serve their dark masters. Their bodies black, their lives eternal, The Withered Ones face any and all who dare to stand in their way.
The great necromancer Dreondrian, High Elder of the Red Mushroom Kingdom, mastered this dark art, using it to send hordes against the Brown Mushroom Rebels. He taught his ways to his many disciples, many of whom now take refuge within the rebel Nether Fortresses, continuing on with his will.
To defeat and forever end the life of a Withered One, just as with lesser forms of necromancy, the caster must be found and killed for the spell to end. There as of yet, has been no exceptions to this rule. However, in some cases, many of The Withered Ones still remain, protecting places with their lives. This has some speculating, that Dreondrian somehow still lives, and a bounty remains on his head.
In the events of The Nether - Ender War, the practice was outlawed, but not by the request of the Endarians. Forces of The Nether, afraid of it’s power, outlawed the magic, in order to try and maintain control of the kingdoms. The plan for the most part has worked, and continues to do so, to this very day.