Awakened Skeleton Race? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Awakened Skeleton Race? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kearif
01-22-07, 06:53 PM I'm making a D&D version of Lt. Bones from Horatio Hornblower. And I think it'd be fun to do him as a skeleton, BUT I CAN'T FIND INFO ON AWAKENED SKELETONS. I know that there is an Awaken Undead spell but there are no connected stats for the awakened undead especially no LA or racial traits. I'm looking for suggestions
kaionon
01-22-07, 08:12 PM Try the necropoliton from liberous mortis?

I think the awaken undead spell was in savage species.
JulesCARV
01-22-07, 08:19 PM Karrnathi skeletons (Eberron Campaign Setting) are conscious, but there's no information about how they're created.
Sphere
01-22-07, 08:44 PM Savage Species is supposed to have the spell according to this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=343040).

The bone creature template, from BoVD, would also work for making a thinking skeleton.
Dm_Farble
01-22-07, 08:57 PM Awaken wouldnt work on undead. O.o It has to be plants or animals. Even if the creature once was an animal it wouldnt work because it lost the animal subtype and gained the undead subtype. By the way GEEZ there are a lot of awakened races floating around... cats, skeletons, monkies... *sigh*
kadeity
01-22-07, 09:01 PM Awaken wouldnt work on undead. O.o It has to be plants or animals. Even if the creature once was an animal it wouldnt work because it lost the animal subtype and gained the undead subtype. By the way GEEZ there are a lot of awakened races floating around... cats, skeletons, monkies... *sigh*
the spell AWAKEN UNDEAD would. If you cant find the exact descrip, assume it works like awaken.

but the easiest method is likely the Bone creature template, as previously stated.
morbid_freak
01-22-07, 10:09 PM I think Libris Mortis has some details on the skeletal template.

I usually have no problem with skeletal characters. They just get undead traits, a null Constitution score, and DR 5/bludgeoning. However they are quite vulnerable to turning and don't regain hp daily. If they still don't seem balanced, maybe a Charisma decrease would be appropriate. Most people don't like to interact with undead.
Silverthumb128
01-22-07, 10:10 PM Bone creatures(BoVD) are possibly of interest?
Melpomene
01-22-07, 10:13 PM Liber Mortis has PC skeliton details (although they're sketchy and spaced-out).
Kearif
01-25-07, 02:36 PM I had not thought of the bone creature template, but the problem isn't how to make a Monster. The problem is making it a Playable Character. I need racial traits complete with Level Adjestment and/or Racial Hit Die.

Both Libris Mortis and Monster Manual 1 have skeleton details, but neither of them has racial traits for an awakened one.

Both Libris Mortis and Savage Species have the Awaken Undead spell, but they don't give the information I'm looking for either. Thanks for the suggestion though. i'd just been looking in Libris Mortis.

Thanks for the suggestion, morbid_freak I have some partial racial traits but I don't they're complete. The charisma penatly makes sence, I'll have to look into that.

Also thank you JulesCARV and kaiono for you're ideas. I thought that the necropoliton was more of a zombie than a Skeleton. And this is the first time I've even heard of a Karrnathi skeleton. What are they and where in the book are they?
Silverthumb128
01-25-07, 03:13 PM I had not thought of the bone creature template, but the problem isn't how to make a Monster. The problem is making it a Playable Character. I need racial traits complete with Level Adjestment and/or Racial Hit Die.

+1 LA, tack it onto whatever race you'd deem appropriate, there ya go.
Dragoloth
01-25-07, 03:49 PM Would the evolved undead template help? It's on pg 100 of the libris mortis. A karnathi skeleton if from Eberron and they are way more powerful than a normal skeleton. They have 3 hd and are as intelligent as most commoners.
Decinious
01-25-07, 05:20 PM I'd go with Bone Creature Template from BoVD. No racial HD, with a +1 Level Adjustment. If anyone argues it should be higher point out the Grave Touched Ghoul from the Libris Mortis...

Necromantic Healing: With 8 or more hours of inactivity in any 24 hour period, an undead with an Intelligence score recovers 1 hit point per Hit Die. If such an undead is completely inactive for a full 24 hour period, it recovers 2 hit points per Hit die

Though it is faster to heal by convincing the party's wizard that Cold Energy Substitution and Lord of the Utterdark is the way to go Mmmm, cold fireball that deals half Neg. energy...

Evolved Undead, and Spell Stitched are very nice additions.
Black_Puffin
01-25-07, 06:00 PM *sighs*
I tried to address this in my thread on Awakened Animals, Undead and Constructs.

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=777153

So far I've discovered most animals have no LA, but that's it. Constructs are addressed in Savage Species.

The thing about Awakened undead is that they gain an INT score so they regain HP like a living creature, and still have all of the qualities of undead.
Skeletons and Zombies lose most of the original qualities and gain DR and undead qualities when templated. I think they might not have a LA, but it depends on what they were before.
Kearif
07-18-07, 11:38 PM Why would having an intellence give an awakened undead hit points? Black_Puffin, you are confusion me.
JulesCARV
07-18-07, 11:45 PM My goodness. I must have gone on a trip or something before I could reply when this thread got reanimated. Well, hopefullly this is better late than never: Kearif, Karrnathi undead (zombies and skeletons) are in the Eberron Campaign Setting.
Kearif
07-18-07, 11:56 PM Ah Man! why did you have go and give me a reason to buy that back, my better half is going to kill me.
celestialkin
07-19-07, 12:00 AM I think Libris Mortis has some details on the skeletal template.

I usually have no problem with skeletal characters. They just get undead traits, a null Constitution score, and DR 5/bludgeoning. However they are quite vulnerable to turning and don't regain hp daily. If they still don't seem balanced, maybe a Charisma decrease would be appropriate. Most people don't like to interact with undead.

Actually, if you are an intelligent undead you do regain HP daily (see undead traits (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_undeadtype&alpha=)).
Cannot heal damage on its own if it has no Intelligence score, although it can be healed. Negative energy (such as an inflict spell) can heal undead creatures. The fast healing special quality works regardless of the creature's Intelligence score.

I recently played an awakened skeleton, and it was quite fun. Just carry around a wand of inflict moderate wounds, and a few inflict potions and you're set.

Also, talk to your DM about being a deathless skeleton (made of positive energy) instead of an undead skeleton (made from negative energy). This way you can be healed by your party's cleric, and you won't be detected as evil.
Part-Human2
07-19-07, 12:38 AM Banedead (Monsters of Faerun) were brought up to 3.5 edition with the PGtF Web Enhancement and are intelligent skeletons with Magic Missile and Blink SLA, 4 HD +3 LA (Baneguards).

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG17.jpg
celestialkin
07-19-07, 01:39 AM Banedead (Monsters of Faerun) were brought up to 3.5 edition with the PGtF Web Enhancement and are intelligent skeletons with Magic Missile and Blink SLA, 4 HD +3 LA (Baneguards).

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG17.jpg

That would make an awesome rogue.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kearif 01-22-07, 06:53 PM	I'm making a D&D version of Lt. Bones from Horatio Hornblower. And I think it'd be fun to do him as a skeleton, BUT I CAN'T FIND INFO ON AWAKENED SKELETONS. I know that there is an Awaken Undead spell but there are no connected stats for the awakened undead especially no LA or racial traits. I'm looking for suggestions
kaionon 01-22-07, 08:12 PM	Try the necropoliton from liberous mortis? I think the awaken undead spell was in savage species.
JulesCARV 01-22-07, 08:19 PM	Karrnathi skeletons (Eberron Campaign Setting) are conscious, but there's no information about how they're created.
Sphere 01-22-07, 08:44 PM	Savage Species is supposed to have the spell according to this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=343040). The bone creature template, from BoVD, would also work for making a thinking skeleton.
Dm_Farble 01-22-07, 08:57 PM	Awaken wouldnt work on undead. O.o It has to be plants or animals. Even if the creature once was an animal it wouldnt work because it lost the animal subtype and gained the undead subtype. By the way GEEZ there are a lot of awakened races floating around... cats, skeletons, monkies... sigh
kadeity 01-22-07, 09:01 PM	Awaken wouldnt work on undead. O.o It has to be plants or animals. Even if the creature once was an animal it wouldnt work because it lost the animal subtype and gained the undead subtype. By the way GEEZ there are a lot of awakened races floating around... cats, skeletons, monkies... sigh the spell AWAKEN UNDEAD would. If you cant find the exact descrip, assume it works like awaken. but the easiest method is likely the Bone creature template, as previously stated.
morbid_freak 01-22-07, 10:09 PM	I think Libris Mortis has some details on the skeletal template. I usually have no problem with skeletal characters. They just get undead traits, a null Constitution score, and DR 5/bludgeoning. However they are quite vulnerable to turning and don't regain hp daily. If they still don't seem balanced, maybe a Charisma decrease would be appropriate. Most people don't like to interact with undead.
Silverthumb128 01-22-07, 10:10 PM	Bone creatures(BoVD) are possibly of interest?
Melpomene 01-22-07, 10:13 PM	Liber Mortis has PC skeliton details (although they're sketchy and spaced-out).
Kearif 01-25-07, 02:36 PM	I had not thought of the bone creature template, but the problem isn't how to make a Monster. The problem is making it a Playable Character. I need racial traits complete with Level Adjestment and/or Racial Hit Die. Both Libris Mortis and Monster Manual 1 have skeleton details, but neither of them has racial traits for an awakened one. Both Libris Mortis and Savage Species have the Awaken Undead spell, but they don't give the information I'm looking for either. Thanks for the suggestion though. i'd just been looking in Libris Mortis. Thanks for the suggestion, morbid_freak I have some partial racial traits but I don't they're complete. The charisma penatly makes sence, I'll have to look into that. Also thank you JulesCARV and kaiono for you're ideas. I thought that the necropoliton was more of a zombie than a Skeleton. And this is the first time I've even heard of a Karrnathi skeleton. What are they and where in the book are they?
Silverthumb128 01-25-07, 03:13 PM	I had not thought of the bone creature template, but the problem isn't how to make a Monster. The problem is making it a Playable Character. I need racial traits complete with Level Adjestment and/or Racial Hit Die. +1 LA, tack it onto whatever race you'd deem appropriate, there ya go.
Dragoloth 01-25-07, 03:49 PM	Would the evolved undead template help? It's on pg 100 of the libris mortis. A karnathi skeleton if from Eberron and they are way more powerful than a normal skeleton. They have 3 hd and are as intelligent as most commoners.
Decinious 01-25-07, 05:20 PM	I'd go with Bone Creature Template from BoVD. No racial HD, with a +1 Level Adjustment. If anyone argues it should be higher point out the Grave Touched Ghoul from the Libris Mortis... Necromantic Healing: With 8 or more hours of inactivity in any 24 hour period, an undead with an Intelligence score recovers 1 hit point per Hit Die. If such an undead is completely inactive for a full 24 hour period, it recovers 2 hit points per Hit die Though it is faster to heal by convincing the party's wizard that Cold Energy Substitution and Lord of the Utterdark is the way to go Mmmm, cold fireball that deals half Neg. energy... Evolved Undead, and Spell Stitched are very nice additions.
Black_Puffin 01-25-07, 06:00 PM	sighs I tried to address this in my thread on Awakened Animals, Undead and Constructs. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=777153 So far I've discovered most animals have no LA, but that's it. Constructs are addressed in Savage Species. The thing about Awakened undead is that they gain an INT score so they regain HP like a living creature, and still have all of the qualities of undead. Skeletons and Zombies lose most of the original qualities and gain DR and undead qualities when templated. I think they might not have a LA, but it depends on what they were before.
Kearif 07-18-07, 11:38 PM	Why would having an intellence give an awakened undead hit points? Black_Puffin, you are confusion me.
JulesCARV 07-18-07, 11:45 PM	My goodness. I must have gone on a trip or something before I could reply when this thread got reanimated. Well, hopefullly this is better late than never: Kearif, Karrnathi undead (zombies and skeletons) are in the Eberron Campaign Setting.
Kearif 07-18-07, 11:56 PM	Ah Man! why did you have go and give me a reason to buy that back, my better half is going to kill me.
celestialkin 07-19-07, 12:00 AM	I think Libris Mortis has some details on the skeletal template. I usually have no problem with skeletal characters. They just get undead traits, a null Constitution score, and DR 5/bludgeoning. However they are quite vulnerable to turning and don't regain hp daily. If they still don't seem balanced, maybe a Charisma decrease would be appropriate. Most people don't like to interact with undead. Actually, if you are an intelligent undead you do regain HP daily (see undead traits (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_undeadtype&alpha=)). Cannot heal damage on its own if it has no Intelligence score, although it can be healed. Negative energy (such as an inflict spell) can heal undead creatures. The fast healing special quality works regardless of the creature's Intelligence score. I recently played an awakened skeleton, and it was quite fun. Just carry around a wand of inflict moderate wounds, and a few inflict potions and you're set. Also, talk to your DM about being a deathless skeleton (made of positive energy) instead of an undead skeleton (made from negative energy). This way you can be healed by your party's cleric, and you won't be detected as evil.
Part-Human2 07-19-07, 12:38 AM	Banedead (Monsters of Faerun) were brought up to 3.5 edition with the PGtF Web Enhancement and are intelligent skeletons with Magic Missile and Blink SLA, 4 HD +3 LA (Baneguards). http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG17.jpg
celestialkin 07-19-07, 01:39 AM	Banedead (Monsters of Faerun) were brought up to 3.5 edition with the PGtF Web Enhancement and are intelligent skeletons with Magic Missile and Blink SLA, 4 HD +3 LA (Baneguards). http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mof_gallery/MonFaePG17.jpg That would make an awesome rogue.