View source for Skeletal creature

{{Cleanup|This page should be turned into a disambig-like page for everything skeletal, instead of using [[Skeleton]] and [[Skeletal animal]] to that usage. Keep the Skeleton page for the classical definition, aka humanoid skeletons.}}
{{RPG-section}}
A '''skeletal creature''' is the reanimated bone structure of a formerly living creature, a type of [[undead]]. Necromantic magic powers the skeleton, forcing it back into a parody of its living self. Most skeletons are mindless automatons, servants of necromancers or other spellcasters, but a few possess some degree of sentience and free will. A skeleton is seldom garbed in anything more than the rotting remnants of any clothing or armor it was wearing when slain. A mindless skeleton does only what it is ordered to do; it can draw no conclusions of its own and has no iniative. Because of this limitation, its instructions must always be simple. A skeleton ordered to attack does so without pause and fights until destroyed.<ref>''[[Monster Guide]]'', pg. 125-126</ref>

==Sapient skeletons==
Every so often, a skeleton retains its intellect or develops sapience over long years of undeath. No one has been able to create this circumstance intentionally, nor does anyone understand why or how it happens.<ref>''[[Monster Guide]]'', pg. 126</ref>

==Skeletal creatures==
*{{RaceIcon|BoneGolem}} [[Bone golem]] {{wow-inline}}
*{{RaceIcon|BoneWraith}} [[Bone wraith]] {{wotlk-inline}}
*{{RaceIcon|Lich|Male}}{{RaceIcon|Lich|Female}} [[Lich]] {{wow-inline}}
*{{RaceIcon|Skeleton}} [[Skeleton]] {{wow-inline}}
**{{RaceIcon|SkeletalDwarfWarrior}} [[Skeleton|Skeletal dwarves]] {{wow-inline}}
**{{RaceIcon|SkeletalMage}} [[Skeletal mage]] {{wow-inline}}
**{{RaceIcon|SkeletalWarrior}} [[Skeletal warrior]] {{wow-inline}}
*Skeletal animals
**{{RaceIcon|SkeletalGryphon}}{{RaceIcon|DeathKnightGryphon}} [[Skeletal gryphon]] {{bc-inline}}
**{{RaceIcon|SkeletalHorse}} [[Skeletal horse]] {{wow-inline}}
**{{RaceIcon|SkeletalRaptor}} [[Skeletal raptor]] {{Cata-inline}}
**{{RaceIcon|SkeletalWindSerpent}} [[Skeletal wind serpent]] {{wow-inline}}
*[[Undead dragon|Skeletal dragons]]
**{{RaceIcon|Emberwyrm}} [[Emberwyrm]] {{wotlk-inline}}
**{{RaceIcon|FrostWyrm}}{{RaceIcon|Frostbrood}}{{RaceIcon|WhelpUndead}} [[Frost wyrm]] {{wow-inline}}
***{{RaceIcon|FelDragon}} [[Fel dragon]] {{bc-inline}}
**{{RaceIcon|Emberwyrm}} [[Magmawyrm]] {{wotlk-inline}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Skeletal creatures| ]]
[[Category:Monster Guide]]