| Other Names | None |
| Climate/Terrain | Any |
| Frequency | Uncommon |
| Organization | Group |
| Activity Cycle | Any |
| Diet | None |
Skeletons are magically animated undead monsters. They are enchanted by powerful wizards or priests using dark magic. Skeletons appear as a skeleton of whatever creature it was created from. They may be equipped with armor and weapons, depending on the wishes of their creature. Most skeletons are armed with a short sword and round metal shield. They are typically not equipped with wooden weapons as skeletons are often ordered to stand guard in damp subterranean places, sometimes for decades, and wooden weapons rot in such conditions. Metal weapons endure such conditions better, though they will often be rusty.
Skeletons are mindless creatures with minimal intelligence. They obey the commands of their creator, though such commands must be basic and straightforward. In combat, they will hack away mindlessly with whatever weapons they have, with little in the way of tactics. , but wade into combat with no tactics. Skeletons are, however, surprisingly quick and agile.
Skeletons are highly resistant to damage of all forms. Because they have no organs, they do not suffer the effects of most critical hits. Slashing and piercing weapons are particularly ineffective against them. They are likewise quite resistant to fire, cold and lightning.
Skeletons are completely immune to all mind affecting magic.
Skeletons are often placed by their creators in strategic places to guard places or things. Thus, they could potentially be encountered anywhere. However, the creation and use of undead creatures like this is considered dark sorcery and an evil act. Because of this, skeletons are rarely encountered in civilized areas.
As magically created creatures, skeletons have no ecology. They do not interact with their environment at all. They do not breathe, eat, sleep or carry on any other biological functions. They simple exist. Skeletons are essentially immortal. Often, skeletons are left standing guard over their charge sometimes for decades. When the wizard that created them dies, they are unbound from service and will wander the world. These "freed" skeletons will avoid towns and villages, but can be found almost anywhere in the wilderness. Such masterless skeletons are, thankfully, quite rare.
This website was last updated February 1, 2026. Copyright 1990-2025 David M. Roomes.