Bonewheel Skeleton (3.5e Creature)
| Bonewheel Skeleton | |
|---|---|
| Size/Type: | Medium Undead |
| Hit Dice: | 4d12 (26 hp) |
| Initiative: | +6 |
| Speed: | 10 ft. (2 squares) |
| Armor Class: | 18 (+6 Dex, +2 natural), touch 16, flat-footed 12 |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | +2/+5 |
| Attack: | Spiked Wheel +10 melee (1d6+4/18-20 piercing and slashing) |
| Full Attack: | Spiked Wheel +10 melee (1d6+4/18-20 piercing and slashing) |
| Space/Reach: | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks: | Spiked wheel barrage (4 attacks, 60 ft.) |
| Special Qualities: | Damage reduction 5/bludgeoning, darkvision 60', undead traits |
| Saves: | Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +5 |
| Abilities: | Str 17, Dex 22, Con —, Int —, Wis 12, Cha 6 |
| Skills: | — |
| Feats: | Spring AttackB, Weapon FinesseB, Weapon Focus (Spiked Wheel)B |
| Environment: | Underground |
| Organization: | Solitary, Pair or Group (2-6 Bonewheel Skeletons) |
| Challenge Rating: | 4 |
| Treasure: | None |
| Alignment: | Always neutral evil |
| Advancement: | 5–12 HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment: | — |
The depths are dark, and the air is cool, as the party descends down the long, narrow ladders into the catacombs. The first among them reaches the bottom, and the holds his lantern up: There is no movement... but there is an eerie sound that seems to hang on the air: "...tinktinktinktinktinktinktink". The second of the party reaches the bottom and comes to stand next to his friend, his brow furrowed as he listens... "What is that sound? Some kind of contraption?" He asks. "...No, it sounds like... a wagon, on flagstone. Rolling?" The first responds, just as perplexed but on guard against whatever foul machination the catacombs might have in store for them. He steps out, into the darkness, his lantern a blazing star in the dank pit as the sound grows louder: "...tinktinktinktinktinktinktinktink". At this point, the last of the party has made it down the ladder, and he comes to stand behind the two, his dagger readied at his side, palms dripping in sweat. "H-Hey... Look over there. Is that... some kind of wheel?" He barely manages to ask, before his question is answered not by his friends, but by the sound itself, and the terrifying shadow that quickly advances upon them: ...tinktinktinktinktinktinktinktinktinktinktinktinktinktinktink!
Bonewheel Skeletons are an unnatural forms of undead that appear as humanoid skeletons twisted and intertwined with a large wagon wheel. The wheel, itself, is bedecked with jutting spikes of iron and steel, forming an unusual but effective weapon against anyone unlucky enough to encounter one of these devilish creatures. While many scholars and wizards alike have tried to answer the riddle of the origins of such creatures, they have only managed to surmise the vaguest of theories to date over what nefarious mind or force may have generated the likes of the Bonewheel Skeleton; As of yet, the first instance of the creature's existence is not credited to any such individual or incident.
While unusual, the Bonewheel Skeleton's appearance leaves little to alert the unwary or naive as to the danger it poses: After all, to most, it surely appears as a skeleton tangled upon the spokes of a wagon wheel and is therefore no more dangerous, and perhaps even more easily bested. Unfortunately for those who make this fatal error in judgment, while the skeleton does indeed lack a mind of its own, much like others of its kind, by some manner of sorcery or foul nature, it has adapted to its strange existence to a gruesome degree... even to the point of becoming known for their quick, unrelenting attacks and unpredictable charges. Many a fallen hero curses the Bonewheel, having met their end pinned against a wall and ground by the terrible creature's wheel.
Combat[edit]
Bonewheel Skeletons are completely entangled within their spiked wheels, and their own method of attack is spinning their entire bodies and rolling at the enemy in a mad dash, tearing them to shreds. Spinning their wheels makes an obvious sound, of metal striking the floor over and over again, alerting anyone without needing to make a Listen check unless they are deaf. While the wheel is technically identical to that of a wagon's wheel, and may even be one, the Bonewheel skeleton fights with the wheel as if it were a natural weapon.
When bonewheel skeletons are not rolling around, they can only stagger about at a very slow speed due to the wheel's spokes entangling their bodies and constricting their movements.
Spiked Wheel Barrage (Ex): As a full-round action, a bonewheel skeleton can spin itself with great force, clinging its whole body to the wheel and sending it rolling forward at the enemy. A bonewheel skeleton's barrage grants it up to 60 feet of movement in a straight line. During a spiked wheel barrage, the bonewheel skeleton can attack four times at its full attack bonus. The bonewheel skeleton automatically attacks the closest creature in line and continues its movement if it misses, attacking the next creature in line, and so forth. The bonewheel skeleton stops its movement once it expends all of its attacks or upon moving the full 60 feet. In the event that the Bonewheel Skeleton cannot continue its movement, but an enemy is still within attack range (For example, if its movement runs into a wall, but there is also an enemy within 5 feet when it reaches the wall), the Bonewheel Skeleton expends all of its remaining attacks, minus one, against the last target.
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