Skeletons

Skeletons are fragile animated constructions of bone, given life and joined together by dark magic, and bound to eternal obedience by a lack of will and an equal lack of intellect. Skeletons may be raised from all manner of creatures, but tend to be humanoid in form.

Servants of Habit

Even skeletons who apparently break free of their master's will are servile, and often suffer from a constant habit or nervous tick. A skeleton of a noble might occasionally break into a steady waltz while at rest, and a skeleton who lived life as a bard might constantly attempt to play the trumpet.

Necromantic energies drive a steady, creeping bloodlust within the skeleton, one that is liable to rear its ugly head at some point in the skeleton's life.

Endless Torment: The Skeleton War

The dead are often thought to rest in peace, but some do not. Deep in the third circle of hell, armies of shambling skeletons face off against the lustful incubi under the banner of Lord Ossius, a skeleton who is wearing a hat. This endless conquest has come to be known as the Skeleton War.

Over time this war has devolved into a total stalemate, the innumerable bone constructs unable to deal any lasting damage to the incubi. Skeleton war veterans who want to get off Lord Ossius' Untamed Expedition usually fail, and those who escape have often already been sent insane by its lengthy, monotonous duration.

Skeleton Traits

Your skeleton character gains numerous spooky capabilities.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1

Age. You do not age, and your body remains in the precise state it was in when you were raised from the dead.

Alignment. Skeletons are usually Lawful Evil, and tend to remain Lawful even if they successfully break free from the will of their creator.

Size. A skeleton can be anywhere from 3 feet to 8 feet tall, and weighs anywhere between 20 and 70 pounds. Your size is Small or Medium, depending on your height

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30ft.

Language. You understand common and one additional language of your choice, but you cannot speak.

Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Undead Nature. You are treated as undead, and you no longer require air, food, drink or sleep. To gain the benefits of a long rest, you can spend all 8 hours doing light activity, such as reading your book and keeping watch. Additionally, you do not gain levels in exhaustion from the effects of natural weather, frigid water, swimming, or a forced march.

Creature of Bone. You are immune to poison damage, and the effects of poison and disease. Whenever you take Bludgeoning damage, you lose 1 additional point of health. When you consume milk, you gain 1 temporary hit point.

Doot. You have proficiency in one brass instrument of your choice.

Art by KJKallio