Homebrew Awakened Skeleton Species Details

Skeletons arise when animated by dark magic, commonly by way of necromantic spells. The semi-intelligent skeletons that are animated by these spells will heed the every whim of the necromancer that summoned them. This is not the only method by which skeletons can rise from the dead, however. In places saturated with residual negative energy, such as ruined cities or corpse-strewn battlefields, skeletons can awaken on their own and walk the among the living  once again. While most skeletons are the animated remains of dead humans and other humanoids, skeletal undead can be created from the bones of other creatures besides humanoids, giving rise to a host of terrifying and unique forms.

Fetter of the Soul

When an intelligent being dies in a tragic, gruesome, violent, or otherwise horrific way, each individual tends to react differently. Some make peace with the fact that they are dying. Some are terrified, and will plead to any power that will listen to save them. Yet still, there is another type of person. Someone who knows they cannot escape their fate, but refuse to let that be the end of them. Their soul burns with an unquenchable fire, and their grim determination allows their soul to cling to the Prime Material Plane. In situations where the body can be buried or otherwise properly put to rest, this refusal to move on often results in the individual gaining the ability to manifest themselves as a ghost, which is often bound to some site that was significant to them. In rarer cases, where bodies are left to rot in places that reek of death and despair, the soul doesn't become bound to the site itself, but their own skeleton, allowing them to wander the world once again.

Not to be Trifled With

It is a commonly held belief that humanoid skeletons are among the weakest undead, and while they certainly can be threatening to a commoner, most soldiers and adventurers have little  trouble dispatching them back to the afterlife. In truth, this only applies to the skeletal minions summoned by necromancers. An awakened skeleton has the potential to be far more dangerous. Awakened skeletons are animated by dark magic just as their counterparts are, but since their own soul is bound to their bones, an awakened skeleton holds on to its identity. It retains all of the knowledge and skills that it has accrued over the course of its life, and can use these to its advantage. The most common places for awakened skeletons to rise in on old battlefields that have been left abandoned. Many have met their end at the hands of skeletons such as these, believing them to be the simple-minded infantry of a necromancer or lich.

Awakened Skeleton Traits

This awakened skeleton is from a human body, and shares certain traits with other awakened skeletons.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and one ability score of your choice both increase by 1.

Age

As undead, skeletons are effectively ageless, and will survive as long as the magic that animates them persists.

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.

Vitality of Undeath

 

As an undead, you gain immunity to poison damage, the poisoned condition and all diseases, both natural and magical. You cannot become exhausted, and you do not need to eat, drink, sleep, or breath to survive. You are still limited to light activity during rests in order to benefit from a long rest.

In addition, the the magic that animates your body inures you to the effects of necromantic magic. When you are subjected to a necromantic power that would force you to make a saving throw to suffer only part of that power's effect, you instead ignore those effects entirely if you succeed on the saving throw, and only suffer the reduced effects if you fail.

Unfortunately, undeath has some negative side effects. If you die, you can be brought back with the revivify spell, but you cannot be brought back to life by the resurrection or true resurrection spells. You also become susceptible to the turn undead and destroy undead abilities. Your CR will be considered as half of your character level rounded down to determine whether you are affected by destroy undead. If you are affected by it, you do not die immediately, but are instead reduced to zero hit points.

Skeletal Visage

As a skeleton, you have no flesh to protect your body from the shattering effects of hammers, clubs, maces, and fists, and become vulnerable to bludgeoning damage. You are not likely to be received with open arms by common folk since your mere presence will frighten them. You have disadvantage on all Charisma (Persuasion) checks against creatures who are morally aligned against undead. However, you gain proficiency in intimidation, and have advantage on any Charisma (Intimidation) checks against those creatures.

Defy the Reaper

 You have advantage on Death saving throws.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one language of your choice.