Onyx Skeleton

Physical Description

This is a race of skeletal beings unlike many others, formed from the very earth into their imposing forms. Where other skeletons are shades of white bone, these skeletons are sleek and ebon through and through. Eyes of blue flames light up their eye sockets and they can channel these flames through their body to give themselves an imposing visage to behold. Quite unlike many skeletons, the onyx skeletons are able to grow head and facial hair. The hair itself is actual strands of the onyx that the skeleton is made out of, but on occasion, the hair may have strands of a different hue. Their actual forms are most commonly humanoid, devoid of any specific structures.

 

History

Onyx skeletons were created as an alternative to the need for remains when it came to Nyssian necromancy. They, therefore, are not real undead, but constructs. The first Onyx skeletons were made by the Nyssian Drow many ages ago. The age before time, elves and volcanic dwarves worked together to make their Pyramids, their place of practing worship. When their Titan diety roamed the underworld of Earth, before he was slain by Crixys. Elaborate stone and metalwork was used to craft these structures and create intricate undergrounds to worship the Titan and the chance of encountering him.

But after the fated battle with Crixys and his subsequent death. The Nyssian Drow needed aid in rebuilding themselves and their community. With the discovery of remaining Onyx, the Nyssian used it to create the construct that is the Onyx Skeleton.

 

Society

Onyx skeletons tend to live together in groups. As a society, they tend to operate like clansmen. The importance of security and honor for their people is greatly reputed. Those who grow up that become a danger to that security, or do not gain that honor tend to be ostracized from events and activities. Some are even exiled in more severe cases. Beyond that, they tend to live in the quiet havens of islands East of the Nys, usually behind an intricate pathway of tunnels or beyond some magical or physical wall. Due to the misunderstandings against their race, they tend to be more secretive. Other societies do not view well on these skeletons, fearing them to be the typical evil undead, or even the creation of the lich Pharohs.

 

Onyx Skeleton Traits

Ability Score Increase.

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Age.

Your body doesn't age past creation really. However, the material is not immutable and will eventually show wear after a few millennia. Onyx typically lasts for about 8,000 years before erosion gets the best of it.

Alignment.

Generally, these beings are neutral, due to their comparative isolation with the rest of the world.

Size.

Because your body resembles mostly humanoid bones, your size is Medium.

Speed.

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision.

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Naturally Athletic.

Due to your strong bones, you gain proficiency the Athletics skill.

Construct.

You are a skeleton made of stone. Your creature type is construct instead of humanoid. As such, spells like cure wounds don't affect you, and you are immune to spells like crown of madness or dominate person because they specifically target humanoids. You are immune to poison damage, being poisoned, and diseases. You do not need to eat or breathe, and any food you do attempt to eat falls through the space in your mandible, into your ribs. Rather than sleeping, you enter an inactive state for 6 hours each day. You do not dream in this state; you are fully aware of your surroundings and notice approaching enemies and other events as normal.

Flame Imbued.

The magic which bought onyx skeletons to life was altered by the inherent quality in onyx, giving them the eyes of blue flames. You know the produce flame cantrip and Constitution is your spell-casting modifier for this trait.

Mendable.

When the mending spell is cast on you, it has the following alterations: It has a casting time of 1 action. If you have 0 hit points you become stable. As part of the casting of mending the caster may expend any level of spell slot to cause you to regain a number of hit points equal to 1d8, plus their spellcasting ability modifier. For each level of the spell slot expended you regain an additional 1d8 hit points.

Languages.

You can read, write and speak Common and either Elvish, Orc or Dwarvish, depending on your gender.