Homebrew Skeleton Species Details

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 Traits

Being the reanimated completely decomposed corpse of a humanoid gives you the following traits.

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 between 15-36 lbs. Your size is Medium.

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.

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.

Skeletal Nature

You are immune to disease, being poisoned and poison damage. However, You are vulnerable to bludgeoning and radiant 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

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 one other language of your choice.