Skulleton

This being looks like a humanoid skull with several small gems inset in its eye sockets and mouth.

Skulleton (CR 3)

Tiny Undead
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Initiative: +0
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet; Perception +11

Speed: Fly 10 feet (perfect)
Space: 2-1/2 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 14, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 natural, +2 size)
Hit Points: 26 (4d8+8)
Saving Throws: Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +5
Immunity: undead traits

Offense

Melee: bite +5 (1d3-2 plus disease)
Reach: 0 feet

Special Attacks: dust

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
6 (-2)	10 (+0)	-	10 (+0)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)

Base Attack Bonus: +3
CMB +1
CMD 9 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Dazzling Display, Weapon Finesse, Skill Focus (Intimidate), Weapon Focus (bite)

Skills: Fly +19, Intimidate +12, Perception +11, Stealth +16

Languages: Common (cannot speak)

Special Abilities

Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Bite-injury; save Fort DC 12; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves.

Dust (Ex)

The skulleton can use its crumbled remains to attack any creature that comes within 10 feet. Twice per day as a standard action, it can billow forth a cloud of dust that surrounds it in a 10-foot radius. Creatures caught within the area must succeed on a DC 14 Fortitude save or be nauseated for 6 rounds. The dust cloud remains for 2 rounds and can be affected by wind. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Ecology

Environment: Underground
Organization: solitary
Treasure: standard


Skulletons are undead creatures believed to have been created by a lich or demilich, for the creature greatly resembles the latter in that it is nothing more than a pile of dust, a skull, and a collection of bones. The gemstones inset in its eye sockets and in place of its teeth are not gemstones at all, but painted glass (worthless). The skulleton is thought to have been created to frighten off would-be tomb plunderers, or convince them they have defeated the skulleton's creator rather than a minor servitor and tomb guardian.

A skulleton lies in wait for its prey. When a living creature touches a skulleton, it uses its dust attack to incapacitate and confuse the intruders. Then it rises in the air, pivoting to face its prey and glowering in a display of fearsome presence, using its Dazzling Display feat as a full-round action to attempt to demoralize those near it. If the intruders have not fled, it moves in to bite with its gem-encrusted teeth.

Construction A skulleton's body consists of a humanoid skull and the bones and dusty remains of its body. The false jewels are worthless, but do require a jeweler of some skill to properly cut and mount them to lend them an air of authenticity. Additional rare powders and incense worth 3,500 gp are also needed to complete the process.

SKULLETON CL 9th; Price 8,000 gp Requirements animate dead, contagion, fly, stinking cloud, creator must be caster level 9th; Skill Craft (jeweler) DC 15; Cost 4,000 gp Copyright Notice Author Scott Greene.