Skeleton, Diseased

Animated skeleton of a creature that died of disease, stronger than normal skeletons and capable of spreading infection

Basic Fantasy Field Guide Omnibus

Armor Class	15 (special, see below)
Hit Dice	2
Number Appearing	1d6, Wild 1d10
Attacks	1 weapon or 1 unarmed + disease
Damage	By weapon or 1d8 + disease
Movement	40'
Save As	Fighter: 2
Morale	12
XP	75
Treasure Type	None

There are times when an evil Cleric or Magic-user uses animate dead on the skeleton of a creature that originally died of a disease, or had a disease at the time of initial death. This Diseased Skeleton will be stronger than their other bony kin. Like normal skeletons, slashing weapons will do half-damage and piercing weapons will only do 1 point of damage; crushing weapons do normal damage. Since diseased skeletons are undead they are not be affected by sleep, charm, or hold spells. Diseased skeletons can be Turned as a zombie.

If the diseased skeleton uses an unarmed attack there is a 10% chance that the target will be infected with a disease similar to mummy rot. The disease will apply a -1 penalty to an ability or in special cases cause blindness or deafness in the character attacked. The character will show symptoms of the disease 1d4 hours after the attack.

The disease can be noted by the color of the light coming from the eye-sockets of the diseased skeleton. Any infection spread by a diseased skeleton must be cured by a cure disease spell.

Diseased Skeleton Table

1d8	Color	Effect & Disease
1	Purple	-1 STR; Influenza
2	Orange	-1 INT; “Old Timer’s”
3	Green	-1 WIS; “Mad Cow”
4	Blue	-1 DEX; “Foot in Mouth” or “Water on the Knee”
5	Red*	-1 CON; “Consumption”
6	Yellow	-1 CHA; “Yellow Fever”
7	Pink	Blindness; “Pink Eye”
8	Aqua Blue	Deafness; “Swimmer’s Ear” or “Water on the Ears”

If the GM’s default appearance for skeletons is to have red lights in the eye-sockets, then use black (“Black Death”) for these diseased skeletons.

Special Abilities

Weapon Resistance: Slashing weapons do half-damage and piercing weapons only do 1 point of damage; crushing weapons do normal damage.

Undead Immunities: Not affected by sleep, charm, or hold spells.

Turn as Zombie: Can be Turned as a zombie.

Disease Attack: If the diseased skeleton uses an unarmed attack there is a 10% chance that the target will be infected with a disease similar to mummy rot. The disease will apply a -1 penalty to an ability or in special cases cause blindness or deafness in the character attacked. The character will show symptoms of the disease 1d4 hours after the attack. The disease can be noted by the color of the light coming from the eye-sockets of the diseased skeleton. Any infection spread by a diseased skeleton must be cured by a cure disease spell.