Homebrew Awakened Flameskull Species Details

Blazing green flames surround an undead flameskull. Having broken free of the enchantments that kept it in undead servitude, this disembodied skull hovers on the edge of madness, as it struggles to recall ancient memories of a life long past.

Dark spellcasters fashion flameskulls from the remains of dead wizards. When the ritual is complete, green flames erupt from the skull to complete its ghastly transformation. Through some unknown means, be they strange magical circumstance or small variations in the creation ritual, a flameskull (particularly those that may no longer fulfil their intended purpose) may awaken further memories of it's original lifetime.

Echoes of Life. An awakened flameskull recalls many key events from its former life, but these memories are often fractured and jumbled with memories of it's time and deeds while in servitude. Its undead transformation grants it full access to the magic it wielded in life, letting it cast spells while ignoring the material and somatic components it can no longer employ.

Wreathed in Flame. The fire wreathing an awakened flameskull burns continually, giving off bright light that the creature controls. It uses those flames as a weapon, focusing them to loose them as fiery rays from its eye sockets.

Eldritch Rejuvenation. An awakened flameskull’s shattered fragments reform unless they are splashed with holy water or subjected to a dispel magic or remove curse spell. Whenever an awakened flameskull is reduced to 0 hit points, it loses half it's current levels XP value. ( ie. a level 6 awakened flameskull would lose 3750 xp, a level 7 would lose 4500, etc) A rejuvenated flameskull will never be reduced below 5th level.

Undead Nature. An awakened flameskull doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Awakened Flameskull Traits

As an awakened flameskull, you have many abilities and restrictions not normally seen in player characters. As a result, playing an awakened flameskull requires special consideration by your DM.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength is set to 3. Your Dexterity and Intelligence scores increase by 3, and your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age

Flameskulls are often several hundred years old.

Alignment

Most flameskulls begin either evil or neutral and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos.

Size

Flameskulls have no bodies, and weigh 2-4 pounds. Your size is Tiny.

Speed

Flameskulls may hover in place and have a fly speed of 40 feet

Flight

You have a flying speed of 40 feet, and may hover in place.

Fire Ray (Multiattack)

You may emit up to two Fire Rays from your eyes, which deals 3d6 fire damage on each hit. Fire Rays recharge once per turn on a roll of 6 on a six-sided die.

Languages

You can speak and read Common.

Damage Resistances

Resistance to Lightning, Necrotic and Piercing damage types

Damage Immunities

Immune to Cold, Fire, and Poison damage types

Condition Immunities

Immune to the Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned or Prone conditions

Darkvision

Darkvision to 60'

Eldritch Rejuvenation

An awakened flameskull’s shattered fragments reform with full hit points after one hour, unless they are splashed with holy water or subjected to a dispel magic or remove curse spell. Whenever an awakened flameskull is reduced to 0 hit points, it loses half it's current levels XP value. ( ie. a level 6 awakened flameskull would lose 3750 xp, a level 7 would lose 4500, etc) A rejuvenated flameskull will never be reduced below 5th level.

Illumination

The flameskull sheds either dim light in a 15-foot radius, or bright light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for an additional 15 feet. It can switch between the options as an action.

Magic Resistance

The flameskull has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Undead Nature

A flameskull doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Echoes of Life

An awakened flameskull recalls many key events from its former life, but these memories are often fractured and jumbled with memories of it's time and deeds while in servitude. Its undead transformation grants it full access to the magic it wielded in life, letting it cast spells while ignoring the material and somatic components it can no longer employ.