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 warrior is not undead in the conventional sense. It cannot be turned, is unaffected by a scroll of protection from undead, etc.
Special Abilities
Terror: Creatures with less than five HD will panic and flee from its presence.
Circlet Domination: A character in possession of the circlet of a skeleton warrior and within 240-ft may attempt to dominate it. The circlet must be worn on the attempting character’s head in order to do this; it cannot be used whilst wearing a helmet or similar headgear. On the first attempt at domination, the character has a chance of success equal to his or her Wisdom score×5, but he or she must be able to see his or her victim and have the freedom to concentrate for one round. If the attempt fails, it may be attempted again on the following round. If concentration is interrupted before domination is achieved, such as by an attack, the character must concentrate for a further three rounds. During this time, the Skeleton Warrior will attempt to kill its would-be master and take possession of the circlet if such is at all possible.
Inert When Dominated: In the event of successful domination, the skeleton warrior is rendered inert for as long as the character remains in possession of the circlet. Additionally, whenever they are within 240-ft of one another and the character wears the circlet without helmet as described above, the user may take control of the Skeleton Warrior, being able to see through its eyes and direct its actions as he or she desires; whilst controlling the actions of the skeleton warrior, the user may not act him- or herself.
Vengeance: Should the user lose possession of the circlet for any reason, the skeleton warrior will seek him or her out and slay him or her, moving at double its usual movement rate.
Circlet Reclamation: In the event that the skeleton warrior ever regains possession of its circlet, it will place it upon its head and as a result both will turn to dust.
Powerful Combatant: Skeleton warriors are powerful combatants, may use any weapon and always have a +3 bonus to hit; they can only be harmed by magical weapons.
Not True Undead: Contrary to appearances, the skeleton warrior is not undead in the conventional sense. It cannot be turned, is unaffected by a scroll of protection from undead, etc.