Homebrew Skeleton Species Details

Skeleton

“ "Rise, follow my command,  Come and be my undead right hand.  Follow my orders, you will live,  Do them well, and you shall outlive.  Outlive all those who you come from,  And to death, you will not succumb.  And if I die you will be free,  And roam the land for all to see.  For all to see, and fuel their fears,  All to see, but not see your tears." ” —An ancient child's poem about a Necromancer

Physical Description

Skeletons are the re-animated, completely decomposed body of a humanoid. The flesh has completely disappeared, leaving a bone structure magically held together, that moves oddly in its attempt to imitate life. The difference between each type of Skeleton can be observed by certain tell tail traits that are uniquely present of each of them. God Touched Skeletons whether their actual death was recent or many centuries ago are pristine, without apparent wear on their bones that almost shine with a white polish that never seems to dull. Those created by a magical fluke often will have strange little quirks or physical anomaly's, a single hair growing out of a crack in the bone, a dark spot across their skull, the occasional harmless magical spark that flies off them before fizzling out, a glow that runs down a crack in the bone, a limp as they walk, a twitch or stutter. Finally, those raised as minions are more receptive to commands or rules given, their bones are also notably harder, this can be observed with a simple tap, physically speak raised minions generally have died more recently and this can be observed with still present skin or hair but otherwise they don't have much else that distinguishes them from a normal skeleton.

History

As long as there have been humans, there have been those seeking immortality. This is one of the first ways that Skeletons are created. There are also necromancers that have succeeded in their deathly goals, raising undead servants. This is the second known way that Skeletons have been brought to life. Then there is by a fluke of magic, a wild surge or the incorrect casting of a spell leads to a Skeleton being raised. This is the third way that skeletons have been brought to life. The final way known for Skeletons to come to life is being touched by a god or another powerful outsider. This can be a blessing, given to a faithful follower of a god, a perk exchanged for a service or a curse wrought upon the enemy.

Society

Within most civilizations, Skeletons are generally feared and are often attacked on sight. The stories of evil lich kings and necromancers taboo arts being the cause of such an interpretation. However, the exception would be a God Touched Skeleton whose status is apparent to any holy servant to view them, though in areas without religious influence or if the God-Touched was to happen upon a servant of an opposed faith, such as a servant of the Life domain when they were raised by a god of the Death domain, they may face similar difficulties.

Skeleton Names

As you have retained your sentience, most Skeletons keep their human names. Though those that have been touched by a god may rename themselves to show their devotion. As well, some change their name or are given a new name depending on their creator. Any male/ female human name, or a male/ female name of the species that created them, when that applies. Below are the names of powerful necromancers, liches and the names of raised minions.

Male: WhiteBones, Vecna, Chatter-bones, Skully, Mr. Bones, Sans, Papyrus, Grim, Skeletor, Helvetica, Nito, Ainz, Doot.

Female: Scary Mary, Skeletra, Mikkow, Mrs. Bones.

Skeleton Traits

It’s hard to make generalizations about humans, but your human character has these traits.

Restoring Limbs

You can restore any limb after it being detached or destroyed by simply finding a suitable replacement, then using your action to attach it.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

Not counting their previous lives, skeletons can be nearly any age. Skeletons don't age, and won't die of old age until the magic keeping them alive collapses.

Alignment

Skeletons are usually neutral, though evil or chaotic skeletons are common.

Size

You are however tall you were in life and weigh significantly less. Your size Medium.

Random Height and Weight

Table: Skeleton Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
4′ 2″	+4d6	100 lb.	× (1d4) lb.

 

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to the fact that you have no eyes, magic was necessary to give you sight. In addition to being able to see in normal light, 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 discern color in darkness.

Languages

You've managed to control the energies that sustain you to allow you speak. You can speak, read and write Common, as well as the language of your creator. A God Touched may know celestial, a Magic Fluke may randomly grant you a language and a Raised Minion may know their wizard master's draconic.

Skeletal Nature

You are immune to disease, being poisoned and poison damage. You do not need to eat or breathe. Instead of sleeping, you enter an inactive state for 4 hours each day. You do not dream in this state; you are fully aware of your surroundings and notice approaching enemies and other events as normal.

False Appearance

You may, as an action, collapse your form into a pile of bones. While you remain motionless, you are indistinguishable from a normal pile of bones. In this state, you are prone and your speed is 0.

Undead

Your creature type is both undead and humanoid.