Skeleton

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Summary

A paradoxically higher form of surnki undead (compared to a returned), the skeleton is animated by a vengeful soul still bound to the bones. It can be said that if the returned are those who have animated, but not lost themselves yet, skeletons are those who are truly gone. Their bodies have rotted away, and only their hateful will keeps their bodies together. Such extreme focus is what defines their existence now, and everything else has been swallowed up by it. Unlike the free-ranging returned, skeletons can only sustain themselves with ambient mana. They are largely trapped in mana rich areas, the unwilling sentinels in a proverbial cage. To an extent, they can extract mana from blood and other gory sacrifices, making them somewhat self-sustaining in combat. These veteran skeletons are often called Crimson Skeletons, due to their completely blood stained appearance. Possessed of the most limited intelligence, skeletons can wield equipment such as swords, daggers, shields, and bows, vastly amplifying their dangerous capabilities. Particular skeletons may arise as notable, centralizing figures, which is thought of to be the precursor to a nekrokin arising.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The skeleton is the reanimated skeleton of the deceased. Notably, there is very little (if any) flesh attached to the skeleton, making its sense of locomotion and awareness belief-defying. Unusual growths, such as scales, bone spikes, and the like, may persist onward, though this is not a common sight.

Biological Traits

Without Pain – They have no concept of pain, and normally debilitating attacks or wounds simply do not faze them in the slightest. Undead Endurance – Driven by their metabolized mana, they can keep going for absurd amounts of time. In fact, the only time they stop is when they've lost all their mana, or lost track of their prey. Life Sense – They can sense the presence of the living in a supernatural manner. This means despite loss of critical sensory organs, like eyes or ears, they can still track their targets with disturbing precision. Enhanced Durability – Their bones are stronger than normal, having been slowly reinforced by the absorption of mana.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Manavore

Disposition

Malevolent

Power

Warrior