Skeletal Warrior

Kvasir of Midgarth pictures the skeletal warrior rising from the dust of ancient battlefields, woken by Black Magic, still hungry for battle but no longer master of its own will. Skeletal warriors are made with particular necromantic spells and incantations. Because they cannot cast spells or drain energy they are often dismissed as the weakest undead, but those versed in Black Magic know better.

Every one fights like a highly trained soldier and keeps the combat skills, weapon proficiencies and specializations it had in life. Its level is only half what it was, but the unholy energy animating it means it never tires. Most were ordinary soldiers and are fairly weak, yet a great warlord or commander raised this way can be a terrifying enemy, all the more so because skeletons can wear armor and wield magic weapons. Blades and non-magical weapons deal them only half damage, though blunt weapons hurt them fully.

A skeletal warrior must obey whoever raised it. Having no will, it understands only fighting orders such as attack, protect or guard. Needing neither sleep nor food, it makes an excellent sentry, and powerful spell casters have long searched out the graves and barrows of famous warriors to raise them as faithful guardians. Becoming a skeleton usually adds 1-2 points to the creature's STR while cutting its INT, DEX and CHA by about half, and its WILL always falls to 1.