Boneless were a type of undead unique to the Domains of Dread that arose from one or more corpses lacking their skeleton, typically humanoid corpses[1][2][3] though any creature that naturally had a skeleton could work.[2] There was no known evidence of this type of undead arising on Toril.[4][note 1]
Description[]
Some boneless were capable of assuming a lanky humanoid form. Such forms had long withered limbs, necks that were like flexible cords, and shrunken wrinkled heads, and fetid skin that was of a translucent reddish-brown hue. They were occasionally seen in loose-fitting rags, though these were often stitched directly onto their skin by their master. Such boneless generally moved with a lurching uncertainty, occasionally dropping to all fours for an animalistic sprint.[2][3]
Other boneless were incapable of taking on a humanoid form and would instead drape themselves upon the frame of a skeleton or zombie.[1]
Abilities[]
Both types of boneless were incredibly flexible and strong, capable of using the pliability of their bodies to compress themselves and squeeze through small gaps.[1][2][3] However, in order to maintain this a boneless needed to be saturated in a body of water once per week. Failure to do so would cause the boneless to stiffen up, lose their grappling prowess, and become especially vulnerable to fire.[2][3]
Boneless were capable of seeing in areas of total darkness.[1] They were immune to poisons, charm spells, fear spells,[1][2][3] sleep spells, and death magic. Like most undead, they were vulnerable to holy water, holy symbols, and the spell turn undead.[2][3]
Combat[]
Boneless that could take on a humanoid form were capable of wielding weapons, but typically slapped foes with their withered hands.[2][3] Similarly, those who couldn't would simply slam their bodies against foes.[1]
Both those who could and those who couldn't take on a humanoid form were quite adept at grappling opponents, owing to their flexibility.[1][2][3] When in their more gelatinous form, the boneless would wrap themselves around their targets, obscuring their vision and obstructing their airways. Upon dying a boneless would detach from anything it was attached to.[1]
Society[]
Most boneless in the Domains of Dread arose from corpses that had suffered brutal ends, such as being crushed or skinned,[1] while others were brought to life by means of necromancy,[1][2][3] from such things as abattoirs, necromantic slurries, or scraps of failed experiments.[1]
Habitats[]
Within the Domains of Dread, boneless were notably found in the Realms-relevant domains of Barovia, Har'Akir,[5] and Hazlan.[3]
Languages[]
A boneless retained the capacity to understand the languages it had known in life,[1] but was incapable of speaking.[1][3]
Relationships[]
Boneless were sometimes known to act as servants of Velsharoon, the neutral evil Faerûnian demigod of necromancy.[4]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
- Skin kite, a similarly boneless form of undead.
- Forsaken shell
Notes[]
- ↑ There are no known instances of boneless in a Forgotten Realms product. However, they are listed in Powers & Pantheons as one of many creatures that could appear in the Realms to act on behalf of Velsharoon. For this reason, boneless are documented in this article.
Appearances[]
External Links[]
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Boneless article at the Ravenloft Wiki.
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 F. Wesley Schneider, et al. (May 2021). Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft. Edited by Judy Bauer, Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 228. ISBN 978-0-7869-6725-4.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Beth Bostic, et al. (January 2004). Denizens of Dread. Edited by Dale Donovan. (White Wolf Publishing), pp. 37–38. ISBN 1-58846-951-4.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 Kirk Botulla, Shane Hensley, Nicky Rea, Teeuwynn Woodruff (1994). Monstrous Compendium Ravenloft Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness. Edited by William W. Connors. (TSR, Inc.), p. 17. ISBN 1-56076-914-9.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 77. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Bruce Nesmith, Andria Hayday, William W. Connors (1994). “Domains and Denizens”. Ravenloft Campaign Setting (TSR, Inc.), pp. 10, 39. ISBN 1-56076-942-4.