Flaming Skeleton

Skeleton Characteristics

Skeletons, like the name would suggest, are animated skeletons of deceased humanoids, almost always brought back to life for some nefarious purpose. They appear in many variations, sizes and shapes, usually depending on what they had been in life, but sometimes even further altered by horrid magics. Skeletons are frail and weak as undead monsters go, but they are incredibly dangerous in large numbers, and most possess a basic intelligence remaining from their former lives that allows them the ability to wield weapons and follow simple strategy, whereas most undead attack on their own. The practice of animating a corpse into a skeleton strips the body of all flesh and organs, leaving behind a hollow shell capable of terrifying acts.

History

Much like zombies, skeletons were largely created by ill-intentioned mortal magic users for the purposes of building a powerful army. They were among the first type of undead seen in an ancient mage clan's bid for power, a war that threatened to consume the mortal world and turn it into one of decay and pestilence. Fortunately the crisis was averted, but the magic for these basic tools of necromancy remained, and is still practiced in secret enclaves and cults through the world.

Culture

Skeletons have little culture of their own, primarily being tools for other creatures that have the power to create or control such monstrosities. If there is any nod to society to be given by these unholy constructs, it is that they are often animated in the garb they died in, conveniently enough for dark wizards unwilling to provide their minions with armor.