Skeleton
Skeletons are undead warriors, raised by Necromancy to fight again. They are often used as soldiers in the armies of the Tomb Kings and Vampire Counts.[7a][8a]
Overview
For thousands of years, armies have marched and fought across the Old World. There is barely a field, hill or valley that has not seen fierce fighting at some point in the past. Going as far back as the time of Sigmar and even earlier, these great battles have left unmarked graves beyond counting. Such charnel fields attract Dark Magic, and the souls of some warriors remain trapped in the material realm. Some are the spirits of men betrayed by their commanders, others of cowards who were cut down as they ran, or of those who died a violent and unexpected death. Beneath the mud lie the grave-stained bones of these bitter, ancient warriors. Long held beneath the earth, they are clad in their corroded armour, their lifeless hands still gripping the swords, axes, spears and shields they held in life. Provided their remains have not been blessed by the rites of Morr, a Necromancer or Vampire can use the coiling energies of Dark Magic to instill a semblance of life and a flicker of spirit into these dormant warriors. [3a]
As the regiments of past massacres claw their way to the surface, their empty eye sockets glow with unholy power. Silently, they gather together in a semblance of their old ranks, mutely awaiting the commands of their new lord as the remains of their tattered banners flap in the unnatural breeze of their creation. Lipless horn blowers raise their instruments and sound a spectral, mournful dirge. organs to pierce, a well-aimed blow can destroy it. Dark Magic replaces flesh the long since devoured by the writhing creatures of the earth, but an arrow or sword thrust can disrupt the magic that binds the ancient bones of these soldiers together. Decapitation or severing of the spine is usually enough to release the Skeleton Warrior's spirit from the mortal plane, and a heavy blow from a bludgeoning weapon such as a hammer or a club can shatter a Skeleton into pieces. However, even those that are felled can be raised up again as necromantic power knits together shattered bones and instils them with unholy vigour once more.[3a]
Nature
All that these long-dead fighters can recall of mortal life are faint impressions from battles fought in ages past. All that they feel is the compulsion to fight and obey their masters. They have no autonomy or intelligence, though some vestige of their battlefield training remains ingrained in their bones. Driven by the undying will of a Vampire, these ragged warriors can still wield their swords and spears, and raise a shield to block an enemy attack. [1a]
A mortal who dares to fight an army of Skeletons is confronted by rank upon rank of ghastly apparitions. Who could remain unafraid with the soldiers of antiquity lurching towards him? [1a]
Notable
- Bright Shields: A regiment from the city of Mahrak. [12b]
- Green Skulls: The animated bones of the followers of Duke Lavaillier of Parravon. [12a]
- Iron Brigade: Raised from ancient bones in the Badlands. [12c]
- Legion of No Name: The animated bones of lesser warriors cast aside by the temptresses of Silver Pinnacle. [12a]
- Sternsmen: Undead defenders of Castle Sternieste in Sylvania. [9a]
Weapons and Equipment
- 2nd Edition: Skeleton Guard: Full Plate Armour, Shield, Two Handed Axe or Scythe. [5a]
- 2nd Edition: Skeleton Warriors: Hand Weapon or Spear, Shield. May have Chainmail or Metal breastplate, Scythe. [5a]
- 3rd Edition: Hand Weapon. May have Light Armour, Shield, Spear. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. [4a]
- 4th Edition: Sword. May have Bow, Crossbow, Halberd, Heavy Armour, Light Armour, Shield, Spear. May have Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. [4a]
- 5th Edition: Vampire Counts: Hand Weapon. May have Double Handed Weapon, Halberd, Heavy Armour, Light Armour, Shield, Spear. May have Leader, Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. [1b]
- 5th Edition: Tomb Kings: Skeleton Soldier: Hand Weapon. May have Light Armour, Shield, Spear. May have Champion, Musician and Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. May be led by Mummy Champion or Skeleton Champion. [13]
- 5th Edition: Tomb Kings: Skeleton Soldier Archer: Hand Weapon. May have Asp Arrows, Bow, Light Armour. May have Champion, Musician and Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. May be led by Mummy Champion or Skeleton Champion.[13]
- 6th Edition: Vampire Counts: Hand Weapon, Shield. May have Light Armour. May have Spear. May have Musician, Skeleton Captain and Standard Bearer. [2a]
- 6th Edition: Vampire Counts: Blood Dragon Skeleton Bowman: Bow, Hand Weapon. May have Light Armour. May have Spear. May have Musician, Skeleton Captain and Standard Bearer. [2a]
- 6th Edition: Army of the Lichemaster: Hand Weapon and Shield. May have Javelins, Light Armour, Spear. May have Musician, Skeletal Chieftain, Standard Bearer. [10a]
- 8th Edition: Tomb Kings: Hand Weapon, Shield. May have Light Armour, Spear. May have Master of Arms, Musician, Standard Bearer. [7a]
- 8th Edition: Vampire Counts: Hand Weapon, Light Armour, Shield. May have Spear. May have Champion, Musician, Standard Bearer. May have Magic Standard. [8a]
Gallery
Green Skulls
Iron Brigade
Legion of No Name
Skeleton Warrior
Skeletons
Skeleton Warriors
Skeleton Warriors
Skeleton Warriors and Zombies
Skeleton Warrior (3rd Edition)
Skeleton Warriors
Skeleton Warrior
Tomb Kings Warriors in Total War Warhammer II
Skeletons
Skeleton Warrior of the Tomb Kings
Skeleton Orcs
Miniatures Gallery
A phalanx of Tomb Kings skeleton spearmen models
A phalanx of Tomb Kings skeleton archer models
Skeleton Warriors
Skeleton Warriors
Skeleton Warriors
See also
Quotes
| The mighty army of the Necropolis, awaiting the command of their lord. Valiant soldiers all, who rise up at the call of their lord and master.
~ Hieroglyphic inscription over the tomp pits of the skeleton legion of Settra.[6a] |
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (5th Edition)
- 2: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (6th Edition)
- 3: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (7th Edition)
- 4: Warhammer Armies (3rd Edition)
- 4a: Undead Army, pg. 121
- 5: Ravening Hordes (2nd Edition)
- 5a: Undead Army List, pg. 23
- 6: Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings (6th Edition)
- 7: Warhammer Armies: Tomb Kings (8th Edition)
- 7a: Core Units, pg. 90
- 8: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts (8th Edition)
- 8a: Core units, pg. 90
- 9: Sigmar's Blood
- 9a: The Forgotten Legion, pg. 42
- 10: White Dwarf 311 (UK)
- 10a: Army of the Lichemaster, pg. 97
- 11: Warhammer Armies: Undead (4th Edition)
- 11a: Undead Army List, pg. 83
- 12: Warhammer: Nagash, Book I
- 13: White Dwarf 227 (UK), Tomb Kings of Khemri Army List, pg. 75-76