04/01/12 - Yeah Dead Thrall is great as a master conjuration spell, but be careful where you bring them, your new zombie makes noises almost constantly, unless you resurrect Wilhelm (sp?) by Ivarstead. Thralls are dead and won't stay or trade items.

03/30/12 - If you use the Dead Thrall spell, they are "permanant" until they die. So, if you fast travel quite a bit, they will fast travel with you and not turn into a pile of ashes. :) I haven't tried it on one of the "follower" NPCs, so I'm not sure if you will be able to interact with them anymore once you raise them with this spell....

03/30/12 - Thank you for your kind words. NPCs (for example, Lydia) stay dead when they fall in battle (by your hands, or those of an enemy’s). In my experience, you can raise them once, then they “properly” die once the spell wears off. If you’re wanting an undead follower, try using the Dead Thrall spell (Phinis Gestor sells this in Windhelm after you complete his Quest), as this can bring back a follower in a very satisfactory manner – some may even use their own weapons and spells!