Skeleton

In dark recesses of forgotten tombs and cursed crypts, the Skeleton stands as a haunting and relentless undead creature. Stripped of flesh and driven by dark magic, the Skeleton embodies eerie reanimation, deathly persistence, and the macabre remnants of the past.

The Skeleton is the animated remains of a once-living creature, its bones held together by a necromantic force. It retains the basic structure and shape of its former self, but all flesh, organs, and vital signs have long since decayed. Its bones are often weathered, worn, or discolored, carrying the marks of its demise.

These undead beings are often found in ancient burial grounds or the lairs of necromancers. They exist to serve their dark masters, bound by the necromantic energies that give them unlife. Skeletons are mindless, driven only by basic instincts and the commands of their controllers, making them obedient foot soldiers or guards.

Skeletons possess a skeletal strength, granting them a surprising level of physical power. They are skilled in melee combat, often wielding weapons or using their bony fists to strike their foes. Their bone structure provides natural armor, offering some degree of protection against physical attacks.

While individual Skeletons may lack intelligence, they often operate in groups or under the control of more powerful undead or necromancers. Their numbers can overwhelm unprepared adventurers, and their persistence in combat can be unsettling. Legends speak of rare Skeletons known as “Death Knights,” infused with dark magic and possessing a measure of intelligence and tactical acumen.

Encountering a Skeleton is to face a creature of unrelenting death and eerie persistence. Its presence exudes an aura of decay and the lingering remnants of lost souls. Engaging with a Skeleton requires swift and strategic action, as its relentless attacks and lack of fear make it a formidable opponent.

Skeletons bring a touch of undead horror and the haunting echoes of forgotten civilizations to the tapestry of the world. They serve as reminders of the dark arts of necromancy and the lingering specter of death. Whether encountered as guardians of ancient tombs, pawns of sinister necromancers, or as lingering spirits seeking vengeance, Skeletons add a sense of macabre foreboding, chilling persistence, and the haunting grip of undeath to the realms of adventure and exploration.

Actions

• Shortsword: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
• Shortbow: Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.