Skeleton Lord

D&D 2024 monster: Skeleton Lord. Source: Minsc and Boo's Journal of Villainy. challenge rating 9, creature type Undead, Medium size, speed 30 ft. Walking skeletons are a sure sign that some EVIL wizard is getting up to no good. Minsc is quite certain that skeletons should be sleeping in their graves-not ambulating around as if in search of midnight snacks! And now you say they have crowns and plate mail and magic swords?! Are there no depths to which evil will not sink? And what does evil find down there, anyway? Boo would like to know! Held together by necromantic energy, skeleton warriors are distinguished by their high intelligence and considerable battle prowess. All skeleton warriors retain the ability to understand languages they knew in life and most are capable of speech, standing in stark contrast to the mindless and far more common skeletons faced by most adventurers. Only the most skilled necromancers are able to raise a skeleton warrior, which are prized for use as bodyguards and sentinels. Necromancers must use the remains of powerful warriors in order to create a skeleton warrior. Even if a mage succeeds in their task, however, the creatures are difficult to control unless the mage has the golden circlet that contains the undead warrior's soul. Like other skeletons, skeleton warriors are resistant to most forms of damage but vulnerable to bludgeoning; blunt trauma is required to knock dry bones out of place. In addition, skeleton warriors are highly resistant to magical effects. Battle Beyond Death Skeleton warriors are created from the remains of great fighters and retain their skills in undeath. Many are former adventurers or prominent lords who died in battle. Skeleton warriors wield fearsome two-handed greatswords and wear heavy, often ornate, armor that has tarnished with age. Undead Commanders Skeleton warriors are typically solitary guardians and do not usually associate with other undead unless under the active control of a necromancer. In s...