What skill gives knowledge of undead? – rpg.stackexchange.com

I'm very lenient on how skills can be used, provided the players have a good explanation for them, and tend to tailor the DCs based on their explanations. One of the most fun things I've experienced as a DM is trying to explain how a natural 20 on a wacky skill check resulted in anything useful.

To your specific example, I would give the arcane check an answer more in line with how they are created, whether they could serve a master or be controlled, and the like, as that is more arcane knowledge. (e.g. you believe this is a mummy, created by a very powerful spell)

To the religion check, I would mention that divine power can destroy or turn undead, that undead are typically considered evil. I consider knowledge of undead to fall into this skill, so I would make it an easier check to get the same info as the arcane check.

In general, however, I use results from these kinds of "knowledge" checks to further the plot and story of the campaign, sneaking in tidbits of information that might be known by one player or the other to further set up the campaign.

As a recent example, I decided that even without rolls, most of the characters in the party, knew what Gricks were, because they were a party of dwarves and an orc that used to be part of a mining crew. Additionally, when the druid made a successful nature check, I allowed him to identify the Grick Alpha and get a rough idea of his abilities vs the regular Gricks. I also imparted on the orc player that they are typically used as an easy means of disposing of the sick and the dead among orc tribes, to set up that they were near an orc encampment.