Runic Skeleton

“Look out, skeletons over there!”
“Shoot an arrow into the shiny one!”
*KABOOM*

Necrotic magic enables bones to be turned into animated and obedient skeletons. Exceptionally powerful rituals imbibe the corpses with such quantities of negative energy that it must be channeled into the bones by means of runes, that shine with a toxic glow.

If the body of a Runic Skeleton is destroyed, the energy within explodes in a brutal detonation that harms only the living. Such creatures are not the work of an amateur necromancer. They could represent the front line of an experimented magician’s undead legion, intended to wreak unexpected havoc among their adversaries. In other cases, these skeletons could have been animated by an ancient, long-forgotten ritual, destined to protect a place haunted by its tragic history. A powerful necromancer’s original enemies, now forced to defend his lair. A dark god of death’s servants, carrying on their duty beyond their demise. Or adventurers who fell to the traps of the very dungeon the players are currently exploring.

Why add runic skeletons to an encounter?

To give a boost to an enemy that is iconic but weak

Ordinary skeletons are interesting in terms of tone and dramaturgy. Unfortunately, their stats are quite weak and their interest quickly fades when facing somewhat more experienced adventurers. The Runic Skeleton is a variation that offers a slightly more complex challenge, not only because its base stats are higher, but also because it requires a little tactical knowledge.

To surprise your players and urge them to adapt

The goal of a Runic Skeleton exploding is to surprise players, even veteran ones, with a capacity that they do not expect from this type of enemy. Moreover, at a relatively low level, adventurers are rarely very mobile yet. They will therefore need to carefully coordinate to destroy a Skeleton without one or several allies getting caught in the explosion.

Tactical advice

Even if it is far from being intelligent, a Runic Skeleton is “programmed” to place themselves within melee range and in the middle of their adversaries, to maximize the damages caused when it dies.

The Runic Skeleton becomes particularly interesting when placed within a larger group of undeads. Ideally, this group also includes several other Runic Skeletons so that adventurers have the opportunity to understand how the creature works and be able to adapt after the first explosion.

Signaling the presence of runes and their disturbing glow allows players to wonder about the creatures’ possibly exceptional capacities. If they are used in great numbers against adventurers of a higher level, the Dungeon Master could decide that using Dispel Magic terminates the effect of the runes.

Stats

Medium undead, lawful evil Armor Class 15 (armor scraps) Hit Points 19 (3d8 + 6) Speed 30 ft.

STR
10(+0)

DEX
14(+2)

CON
15(+2)

INT
6 (-2)

WIS
8 (-1)

CHA
5 (-3)

Damage Vulnerabilities bludgeoning Damage Immunities poison Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 9 Languages Understands all languages it knew in life but can’t speak Challenge1/2 (100 PX) Runes. When the Runic Skeleton dies, it explodes in a cloud of necrotic energy. Each living creature within 5 feet of the skeleton must succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or take 3 (1d6) necrotic damage and become stunned. On a successful save, they take half as much damage.

Actions Epée longue. Attaque au corps à corps avec une arme : +4 au touché, allonge 1,50m, une cible. Touché : 6 (1d8 + 2) dégâts tranchants.

Image credits

Marang River Skeleton, Jack Wang