Skeleton Warrior

SKELETON WARRIOR (Undead Lord)

FREQUENCY: Very rare
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Dungeon Level VIII])
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: <theory> +3 : 2
MOVE: 6"
HIT DICE: 9+2 to 9+12
% IN LAIR: 90%
TREASURE TYPE: [A]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon type
SPECIAL ATTACKS: +3 hit probability with weapons
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 90%
INTELLIGENCE: Exceptional
ALIGNMENT: Neutral (evil)
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: [SB]
    Attack/Defense Modes: [SB]
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE:
    10th to 12th level : VII | 2,550 + 14
    13th to 15th level : VIII | 3,700 + 16

These are undead lords of the 10th-15th level,
formerly powerful fighters (and will have psionic abilities if possessed in life).
They are only affected by magical weapons and have 90% magic resistance. <edit?>
Their appearance is similar to that of a lich -- <e>
skeletal creatures clad in the rich,
but faded and rotting trappings of a powerful fighter.

It is said that skeleton warriors were forced into their lich-like state ages ago by a powerful and evil demi-god who trapped each of their souls in a golden circlet.
A skeleton warrior's sole reason for remaining on this plane is to search for and regain the circlet which contains its soul.

Anyone possessing one of these circlets may control the skeleton warrior whose soul is stored therein within a 240' range.
The controller can see through the warrior's 'eyes' when controlling a warrior in this way,
but he may not himself MOVE or CAST spells --
he is literally unable to do so.
Thus,
while in 'active control' the controller may cause the skeleton warrior to FIGHT, <>
to SEARCH for treasure and so forth.
The controller may also control the creature in a 'passive mode';
the skeleton warrior will be inert while under passive control and the controller cannot see through its 'eyes',
but the controller can MOVE, FIGHT, and CAST spells.

In either case,
control is lost if the skeleton warrior moves more than 240' from the controller,
or vice versa,
or if the circlet is removed from the controller's head.
If the circlet remains in his possession,
the controller can resume control at a later time,
but if it leaves his possession,
whether by accident or a deliberate act,
the skeleton warrior will immediately stop what it is doing and proceed at double SPEED (12" movement rate) to attack and destroy the former controller,
never resting until this task is accomplished or control is re-established.
If the circlet falls into the possession of the skeleton warrior,
it will 'die' and vanish,
never to reappear,
and the circlet will turn to fine,
valueless dust.

When a circlet first comes in to the possession of a character,
particularly if he does not recognize its significance,
he may be unaware that the skeleton warrior whose soul is imprisoned therein will be tracking him. <add Tracking to the skeleton warrior's NWPs>
To establish control,
he must not only put the circlet on his head but must be able to see the skeleton warrior and concentrate on the establishment of control over the creature.
Once control has been established in the first instance,
however,
it will only be broken as indicated above.
The circlet cannot be worn with any other headgear to be effective;
the wearing of a helm,
for instance,
will nullify its powers,
though the skeleton warrior will still be aware of its presence.

The mere sight of a skeleton warrior will cause any creature below 5 hit dice <HD> to flee in panic.
Clerics have no chance of turning them.

Skeleton warriors usually only fight with two-handed swords,
but other types of weapon have been known to be used.
Whatever weapon is used,
the skeleton warrior attacks with a +3 'to hit' bonus,
though the weapon itself does not become magical.

By Nigel Morgan

<cf. GOLDEN CIRCLET, War of the Lance, page 32>
<38,000$, 1#>

This is not to say thet a malign spirit could not possess a skeleton or a corpse, so as to make something more potent and dangerous than the usual.
the juju zombie was an example of such a concept, and skeleton "lords" are likewise.

Cheers,
Gary