Evil totemists revere the deadborn vulture (Monster Manual V) as a harbinger of disease and death. It is a creature so in tune with the powers of undeath that it spontaneously arises as a zombie when it perishes, continuing to fight even after all traces of life have left its body. By shaping this soulmeld they hope to steal a portion of that creature's power, prolonging their existence past the normal confines of mortal life.