Makin' an NPC- Easiest path from alive with moderate resources to undead with a mind?

[Bulwer]

I'm making a villain for my campaign, a local lord who, upon death, decided that it shouldn't be so permanent. What would be the easiest way for him to become a lich, vampire, mummy, or other non-mindless undead with control of other undead? Can it be under CR 10 without modification of the rules?

Thanks!

[Keld Denar]

Necropolitan from Libris Mortis. Its a 0 LA 0 CR adjustment, basically just adding on undead traits. Its good to go.

[Vortling]

Necropolitan from Libris Mortis. Its a 0 LA 0 CR adjustment, basically just adding on undead traits. Its good to go.

Then throw on some undead controlling class like cleric or True Necromancer.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Necropolitan Dread Necromancer from Heroes of Horror would be a perfect fit. Maybe give him the Corpsecrafter line of feats, or make a build using things like Dreadful Wrath (PGtF), Versatile Spellcaster (RotD), Frightful Presence (DCN), and metamagic feats. Fell Animate (LM) is superb for creating free undead minions.

[Bulwer]

Necropolitan Dread Necromancer from Heroes of Horror would be a perfect fit. Maybe give him the Corpsecrafter line of feats, or make a build using things like Dreadful Wrath (PGtF), Versatile Spellcaster (RotD), Frightful Presence (DCN), and metamagic feats. Fell Animate (LM) is superb for creating free undead minions.

PGtF? DCN?

Thanks for the input: I'm gonna make something very imposing.

[Siosilvar]

PGtF? DCN?

Thanks for the input: I'm gonna make something very imposing.

I'm fairly sure PGtF is Player's Guide to Faerun, not sure about DCN.

[Curmudgeon]

not sure about DCN. Seems to be a very weird abbreviation for DraCoNomicon or DraconomiCoN.

[Jalor]

It's official. There are too many 3.5 sourcebooks.