Homebrew Animated Skeleton Species Details

Beyond the Grave

Often mistaken for a monster, many are cut down by adventurers and sent on to the next life. Magical beings from all walks of life have used forbidden spells and dark conjuring's to build armies of these monsters or simply summoned them to do their bidding. These now immortal creatures may seek something more than mindless violence and bloodshed, revenge for those who slew them in life. They are more intelligent than often thought, though if only they could speak...

 

Cat Got Your Tongue

Most skeletons do not have the ability to speak though some may find ways around this in order to communicate. Some wield magic artefacts, others have spells put upon them, and some just always carry a quill. 

When given the chance, they can be rather talkative beings. Retaining any knowledge of languages that they had in life, many have the time in death to learn a multitude of new skills, and find themselves conversing with all sorts of different creatures. For why would there be any prejudice in death, where one is equal with everything?

 

A Second Chance

Skeletons are considered to be immortal for as long as the magic that animated them is active. If the the magic user that conjured the spell should die, it is understood that the curse on the skeleton would vanish leaving them to rest in peace. However, as this is magic is highly disparaged and frowned upon within many cultures, it has never been subject to a true study to see if this is true.

 

The Undead Rise

Other undead, such as Liches and Ghouls, can pose a great threat, alone or with more undead at their side. Unlike these monsters, Skeletons rarely choose to be reanimated after they die and carry a large amount of animosity towards those that resurrect them. 

Any type of race could rise from the grave as a skeleton, leading to many unknown possibilities for those that face them. Many races should be feared, particularly with the promise of immortality on their side.

 

No Flesh? No Problem!

As a glorified pile of bones, skeletons face a number of different problems to that of the living. Whilst they have no bodily needs such as eating, drinking or even breathing, some more sentimental creatures can be known to become depressed upon witnessing the living going about their daily lives, nostalgic for the time that they were alive. 

Unlike when they were alive, they are no longer afflicted by disease, poison or the unfortunate possibility of being stabbed. However, they are more susceptible to acid and bludgeoning, as what will hold your bones in place if you have no flesh?

 

No Rest For The Wicked

As the undead have no requirement for sleep, many choose to go into a meditative state in order to recuperate and refresh their bodies for a new day. Skeletons are no exception to this and can often be seen as a inanimate pile of bones on the floor. However, you should always be careful about what you say around them for they are not unconscious and still hear and see everything.

 

Skeleton Names

Most use the names that they were given whilst alive, either their given names or nicknames that they picked up whilst travelling or working. Occasionally, after having spent so long in their current affliction, some Skeletons adopt a new name, one that they find more fitting to their current appearance and predicament. Depending on their culture whilst they were alive, many have names in common and their own native language.

 

Skeleton Traits

Skeletons possess special traits that are not available to any creature in life.

     Ability Score Decrease. Your strength checks are lower than average due to all your muscles rotting away.

     Age. The age that you were in death. Although some like to continue counting or start anew.

     Alignment. Skeletons vary in alignment, depending on who they were in life and who they serve.

     Size. Size depends upon your race in life although you are now only skin and bones. Or just bones.

     Speed. Your are encumbered by your decaying body and therefore move half the average speed of the living. Your base walking speed is 15 feet.

     As I was in Life. You remember the bygone days of when you were alive and retain some skills from back then.

     Caution: Fragile. You are vulnerable to Acid and Bludgeoning damage.

     From the Grave. After losing limbs, spend a short rest to reattach any existing bones, or spend a long rest to summon and attach new ones.

     Hardy Constitution. You have immunity against poison and diseases. 

     Languages. You speak, read and write any languages you knew in life.

     Muted. You do not have the ability to speak without the aid of a spell or magical artefact.

     Sink or Swim. You will have a disadvantaged skill check every action whilst in water, depending on your weight, strength and dexterity. 

     Stabber No Stabbing. You have no flesh and are therefore immune to piercing damage.

     The Older, the Wiser. You have the ability to pick up extra skills from your extra time spent upon this plane.

Animated Skeleton Traits

Skeletons possess special traits that are not available to any creature in life.

Ability Score Decrease

Your strength checks are lower than average due to all your muscles rotting away.

Speed

Your are encumbered by your decaying body and therefore move half the average speed of the living. Your base walking speed is 15 feet.

As I Was In Life

You remember the bygone days of when you were alive and retain some skills from back then.

Caution: Fragile

Your bones are brittle after facing the elements and battles for so long, exposed. Any acid or bludgeoning damage is extra effective.

From the Grave

 After losing limbs, spend a short rest to reattach any existing bones, or spend a long rest to summon and attach new ones.

Hardy Constitution

You have immunity against poison and diseases. 

Muted

You do not have the ability to speak without the aid of a spell or magical artefact.

Sink or Swim

Skeletons do not possess the ability to swim and will always sink to the bottom of whatever body of water they are trying to cross. However, due to them not needing to breathe they can simply walk across the bottom.

Stabber No Stabbing

You have no flesh and are therefore immune to piercing damage.

The Older, the Wiser

After your long time spent wandering around the world, making up lost time in your mortal life, you have learnt new skills.