An
RPG term for forcing
undead creatures to
flee in
terror from the strong presentation of
holy power or certain
magical items. The affected
undead turn and run away for an amount of time which varies with a number of factors, including the
experience level of the
priest or
item, the level of the
undead, etc. In
AD&D,
Priests,
Paladins, and
Druids are able to turn
undead with varying facility. In
NetHack, turning undead is accomplished by using the
Priest's ability or
zapping the
wand of undead turning.
In AD&D, if the level of the priest or paladin is much higher than the level of the undead monster being turned, the undead may be utterly destroyed instead, crumbling to dust. A very few undead cannot be turned, primarily the more powerful ones such as the lich or dracolich, vampire lords, etc. Turning undead usually requires the forceful presentation of a holy symbol and good standing with one's deity.