skeleton

Skeletons are mechanical but efficient necromantic creations, created in a manner similar to zombies. However, the stronger binding of the shadow being's essence, and the lighter, less cumbersome frame of the skeleton's body makes them much more fearsome.
Skeletons can easily be identified by their bony appearance. They will generally still be wearing clothes in some state of disrepair, however either as a result of the magic or dessication, the flesh will have long gone.

Skeletons are hardy foes, on average being more resilient than even a well-equipped and trained adventurer. Like other necromantic beings, they feel no pain and are immune to the incapacitating effects of blade venoms, precision strikes and other such esoteric strategies employed by adventurers. Because they are more powerful and resilient than zombies, and easier to control than wraiths, they are often used as bodyguards for necromancers of fair ability.
Of course, without a proper mind to affect, skeletons are immune to mind magic, and their ruthless and efficient fighting style makes them difficult for inexperienced adventurers to handle in large numbers.

Skeletons lack the vulnerability to blood magic and poison magic that zombies suffer, and are often equipped with shields to make frontal assaults a dangerous prospect given their comparative resistance to physical assault. The best strategy for dealing with skeletons, therefore, is assault on multiple fronts. While they are efficient bodyguards, they lack mortal initiative and ingenuity, and can be outmanoeuvred by a clever party. Alternatively pistols have proven to be effective in large numbers, although this is obviously contingent on there being more pistols than skeletons.

Categories:
monsters
necromancy