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Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/skeleton_warrior

Name:
	Skeleton Warrior  (Undead Creature)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 1
	Climate/Terrain: Any
	Frequency      : Very rare
	Organization   : Solitary
	Activity Cycle : Any
	Diet           : Nil

Description:
	Formerly powerful fighters, skeleton warriors are undead lords forced
	into their nightmarish states by powerful wizards or evil demigods who
	trapped their souls in golden circlets. The sole reason that skeleton
	warriors remain on earth is to search for and recover the circlets that
	contain their soul.

Combat:
	Anyone possessing a skeleton warrior's circlet can control its actions,
	so long as the controller remains within 240 feet of the warrior. The
	controller is either in active control of the warrior or in passive
	mode. When in active control, the controller can see whatever the ske-
	leton sees, and he can mentally command it to fight, search for trea-
	sue, or take any other actions; however, the controller himself is un-
	able to cast spells, move, or take any other actions while in active
	control. When in the passive mode, the controller can take any normal
	actions, but he is unable to see through the warrior's eyes; the ske-
	leton warrior remains inert while the controller is in passive mode.
	The controller can change between the passive mode and active mode at
	will.

	The controller must have the warrior's circlet on his head in order to
	control the warrior. If the circlet is removed from the controller's
	head, he can no longer control the warrior; likewise, if the control-
	ler and the warrior are separated by more than 240 feet, the control-
	ler can no longer control the warrior. If the circlet remains in the
	controller's possession, he can resume control at a later time. But if
	the controller loses the circlet, either by accident or by a deliberate
	act, the warrior immediately proceeds toward the controller at twice
	its normal movement rate to attack and destroy him. The warrior does
	not rest until it destroys its former controller or until control is
	re-established. If the warrior holds the circlet to its head, both the
	warrior and the circlet turn to dust, never to reappear.

	When a character first comes into possession of a circlet, he is un-
	likely to be aware that the skeleton warrior is tracking him, unless he
	recognizes the circlet's significance. To establish control for the
	first time, the character not only must hold the circlet to his head,
	he must be able to see the warrior and concentrate on the establishment
	of control for one round. Meanwhile, the skeleton warrior continues to
	approach, attempting to destroy the character and gain possession of
	the circlet. If his concentration is broken before control is establi-
	shed - for instance, if he has to defend himself against an attack - he
	must concentrate again for three rounds. Once control has been esta-
	blished for the first time, it can only be broken as indicated above.
	To be effective, the circlet cannot be worn with any other headgear;
	placing it in a helm, for instance. nullifies its powers, though the
	skeleton warrior is still aware of the circlet's presence.

	Skeleton warriors usually fight with two-handed swords, but they can
	use other weapons as well. Only magical weapons affect skeleton warri-
	ors. They have a 90% magical resistance. The mere sight of a skeleton
	warrior causes any lesser creature to flee in panic. Skeleton warriors
	cannot be turned by priests.

Habitat/Society:
	Skeleton warriors are usually found near the areas where they died in
	their former lives, or where they were buried. A skeleton warrior usu-
	ally has a sizeable collection of treasure, the remnants of a lifetime
	of adventure. Since a skeleton warrior is preoccupied with recovering
	its circlet, protecting its treasure is not a priority.

Ecology:
	Skeleton warriors are used by their controllers as bodyguards, ser-
	vants, or workers. Since skeleton warriors are obsessed with their
	circlets and are therefore undependable, evil creatures and other un-
	dead seldom associate with them. Skeleton warriors do not eat, sleep,
	or perform any physiological functions.