Mindless undead created to guard tombs or serve their creator

Skeletons are mindless undead created by an evil Magic-User or Cleric, generally to guard a tomb or treasure hoard, or to act as guards for their creator. They take only ½ damage from edged weapons, and only a single point from arrows, bolts or sling stones (plus any magical bonus). As with all undead, they can be Turned by a Cleric, and are immune to sleep, charm or hold magic. As they are mindless, no form of mind reading is of any use against them. Skeletons never fail morale, and thus always fight until destroyed.

The pile of bones suddenly stirs, rising up to take on a human shape. Its long, bony fingers reach out to claw at the living.

Mindless undead created to guard tombs or serve their creator

These things are the result of an evil (or neutral at best) magic user or cleric wielding magics that animate the fleshless remains of humans, demi-humans, and various humanoids. They are completely mindless, only obeying the simple commands of their animator, which is often limited by the spell itself to a score of words. Some sages speak, though, of the mere proximity to great evil can animate the dead, resulting in armies of these horrors springing to unlife in forgotten catacombs and foul dungeons. Though given no commands, they seek out the living and attempt to force them into the ranks of the dead.

Unfortunate victims of powerful magic; in life they were fighters of great prowess and likely lords in their own right

Skeleton warriors are the unfortunate victims of powerful magic; in life they were fighters of great prowess and likely lords in their own right. In death they have become abominations, compelled by evil sorcery to serve any who possess the golden circlets that contain their souls. Skeleton warriors desire above all else to gain possession of their own circlet and to be revenged upon any who have possessed and used it in the past. The appearance of a skeleton warrior is terrifying and creatures with less than five HD will panic and flee from its presence. A visage of desiccated and decaying flesh hanging from exposed bone is perhaps fearsome enough, but the flame-red eyes that stare forth from black sockets are said to haunt the dreams of those upon whom they look. They are generally armed and armoured with the remains of what they wore in life, or their grave goods. The lair of a skeleton warrior is normally a richly adorned tomb filled with considerable treasure. However, because they are usually either seeking the current possessor of their circlet or else in the unwilling service of said possessor, they are rarely found in their lairs. Contrary to appearances, the skeleton w