A skeleton is exactly that: a corpse animated by a possessing demon. Upon finding itself trapped within a body that cannot sustain it, the demon is driven insane... it seeks to destroy any life that it encounters, attacking without thought to its own welfare.
The exact names given to skeletons of this type vary according to the nature of the demons that possesses it. A "fanged skeleton" is a skeleton possessed by a hunger demon. These skeletons devour whatever life they encounter and often possess the ability to drain life energy and mana from their victims. A "shambling skeleton" is a slower-moving skeleton possessed by a sloth demon, able to bring entropic powers against its opponents, slowing them and even putting them to sleep. More powerful demons have been known to command skeletons, but at that level they are known by other names: revenants and arcane horrors, to name two.—From Codex entry: Skeleton
Skeletons are exactly what they sound like: animated piles of bone driven by a rage demon. They are mindless creatures that wander aimlessly, or lie dormant near the site of their “first death” till living beings walk near. Their unreasoning fury can be terrible to behold. Skeletons simply attack all living targets and continue to do so, never wavering until they are smashed to pieces. If they originally came from a battlefield and have a weapon, they will attempt to use it. Otherwise, they’ll simply claw at their foes with broken finger bones, gouging away any flesh they can reach.[1]
Like corpses and other undead, the demon possessing a skeleton will likely die off once its host dies, as the skeleton lacks the lifeforce required for the demon to break through the Veil and go back into its Fade realm. As such, the heavily wounded skeletons will often leak the grayish-black substance (exactly the same as the one that makes up the body of the shade.) The only possible evidence otherwise is the Codex entry: The Black Vials, but it is ambiguous and possibly wrong in that regard.
Types 
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Skeletons are called different names depending on the weapons they fight with:
- Fanged skeletons are possessed by hunger demon and fights with 2 daggers.
- Devouring skeletons are possessed by the same demon type and uses sword and kite shield.
- Shambling skeletons are possessed by the sloth demon and uses greatswords.
- Skeleton archers provide ranged support with longbow.
- Skeleton mages are extremely rare and only present on boss encounters.
In addition to this, sometimes you will fight skeletons that lack any further labels. They use the same skills as the similarly equipped named skeleton.
Strategy Edit
- It's not uncommon for skeletons to attack in groups. All skeletons are immune to nature damage, flanking and blood mage spells, but are vulnerable to fire. As a result, avoid using Shale's natural crystals, Acid Flasks, Acidic Traps, and most poisons against them, in favour of their fiery equivalents.
- Like corpses, skeletons like to lie on the floor in ambush, awakening to your party going deep enough into the room or some other trigger. They can't be targeted in that condition, but are still affected by AoE debuffs like Paralysis Explosion (skeletons will be targetable when they activate, but they won't rise until the paralysis ends). Casting other AoE like Tempest can also be a good idea, providing that they won't affect your party.
Gallery Edit
References Edit
- ↑ Dragon Age RPG, Set 1, Game Master's Guide, p. 33
- ↑ Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide, set 1, p. 32
- ↑ Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide, set 1, p. 32
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