A '''skeleton''' is a re-animated collection of bones from primarily human corpses (one or more) that has been filled with dark energies as well as spirits of the dead to act as simple guards or servants of dark mages or [[Imagenecromancer]]s.<br><br><div style="clear:both;"></div>==Diablo III Monster=={{Monsterbox|game= Diablo III|portrait= Mon-skeleton3.jpg|portrait-width= 125px<!--|name= Monstername-->|classif= Undead|family= Skeleton|role= Cannonfodder|life= Unknown|mana= Unknown|armor= Unknown|resist= Unknown|armament= Sword|dps= Unknown|dmg_low= Unknown|framedmg_high= Unknown|leftrange= [[Melee]]Skeletons |speed= Unknown|movement= Medium|modifier= None|spells= None|found= [[Tristram Cathedral]]<br>[[Leoric Highlands]]}}As iconic as [[zombie]]s, animated human skeletons have been featured in all of the Diablo games, and just about every other fantasy RPG ever made. In [[Diablo 3]], plain skeleton warriors are joined [[UndeadSkeletal Summoner]]s, [[Skeletal Archer]]s, [[Skeletal Shieldman|Skeletal Shieldmen]], [[Skeletal Executioner]]s and (perhaps) other types not yet revealed. These skeletons spawn in mixed packs and work together with much better AI than they've shown in the previous games in the series.

===Known Skeletal Types===* Skeleton* [[Skeletal Archer]]* [[Skeletal Executioner]]* [[Skeletal Shieldman]]  <!--===Known Subtypes===Use on a a "family" monster article, or a "sub-family" monster article.* Can be used in "Goatman" or the like* Can be used in "Goatman Shaman" or the like* Use for things like clan/colouring of same type of enemy* Example: Moon Clan, Blood Clan, Death Clan--> <!--===Related Monsters===List any monster that has a relevance, such as other goatmen, or Grotesque/Lamprey.--><!--===Famous Monsters===List any "character" monster, such as King Leoric for skeletons and the Butcher for Overlords.-->  ==Background==[[Image:Mon-skeleton1.jpg|frame]]:Living skeletons in dungeouns and country side have existed for a long time in [[Sanctuary]]. It''Furthermores not known if they existed before the Darkening of Tristram, but for the last two decades, they have been a constant danger for travellers and any would-be archeologists. These skeletons are in most cases remains of warriors from one or another war or conflict, I and have come been reanimated by unnatural forces by a rogue [[Sorcerer]] or a [[demon]]ic being. <!--While many believe that [[Necromancer]]s, who (Priests of [[Rathma]])   sacred the delicate balance of life and death They truly comprehend the balance of all things, and understand and accept their place in what they refer to believe as the Great Cycle of Being.  never suffered the epidemic of corruption that plagued the ancient mage clans death merely as a natural part of life and do not seek to deny its arrival natural balance between Order and Chaos desire to uphold this balance has brought the Necromancers forth presence of these Prime Evils on the mortal realm upsets the natural symmetry of not only the mortal realm, but also the Great Cycle of Being itself. The followers of Rathma seek to right the balance by ridding the mortal realms of nonmortal intervention altogether. They resent any force that would treat humans as pawns in a cosmic game, though they apparently are willing to ally with the forces of Order, but only until such time as the balance is restored    - mischievous or imbecilic- Abd al-Hazir spent long time researchign them- animated from bits and pieces.- composition makes it possible to form and reform - easily summoned, permitted there is adequate raw material at hand- Possible for necro to summon a cadre of skeletal warriors to do his bidding anywhere he chooses.-- less effort to construct a skeleton army in a graveyard - skeleton's intelligence is limited by the power and scope of the spell used in the creature's creation. Theoretically one could have - a single astute skeleton servant or a rather dense army of a hundred for the same expenditure of magical energy. I am at a loss to explain the average skeleton's somewhat ludicrous mental predisposition, however- Strange they hide in barrels. Perhaps the implausibility of its own existence makes the skeleton think it hilarious to hide in a barrel, cackling intermittently for some three hundred years until a victim happens by?- Can be organized and directed easier than zombies.- Minor energy used to make them intelligent enough to use shields (/bows?) - Skeletal summoner more powerful. Higher intelligence, can replentish names. - disinter the graveyards and begin burning the skeletons posthaste.   - remains of warriors.- reanimated by unnatural forces.- more powerful people are harder to reanimate, some sort of protection in their bones/spirit lingering- found where dead are, like graveyard or battlegrounds.- fraile, in numbers.- killed by one, you become one.  - walking vessels of Hell’s influence on the mortal realm- corpses and spirits of the deceased, twisted and corrupted, are imbued with a hatred for the living that defies understanding- The undead loathe the living and seek only to consume warm flesh and blood. - skeletons do not seek to consume the flesh of the living, but only to extinguish the life of their victims.- unrelenting in their goal, move faster than zombies and have some spark of intelligence as demonstrated by their use of weapons.- observed wielding swords, clubs, bows, and even armor and shields- often equipped in the same armament in which they fell- animated skeletal remains of expired magic wielders, who prove that even the dead can wield the forces of magic.  - Mainly Mephisto, some variants adapted to other Prime Evils or demon lords. Zombies normal skeletons.- Some require extra treatment, like turning a heard black while alive, and given new existense as skeletons. {{iw|Reanimated_Horde Reanimated Horde}} Even manage to re-animate themselves if destroyed.   <!--==Diablo I Monster==Add this section if you need to discuss Diablo I game monsters of the same name/type.--><!--==Diablo II Monster==Add this section if you need to discuss Diablo II game monsters of the same name/type.--><!--==Development==Notes from development of monster. Might have changed between games, or during Alpha/Beta/Release stages.* Appearance* Concepts* How the unit evolved--><!--==Trivia==Fun facts. If you add a trivia fact, also add the it to the Category:Trivia.-->

You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 screenshot and picture gallery:* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/ Diablo 3 screenshots and pictures]* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showgallery.php?si=skeleton&x=0&y=0&limit=&thumbsonly=0&perpage=24&cat=all&ppuser=&thumbcheck=0&page=1&sortby=&sorttime=&way=&cat=all See screenshots and concept art of skeletonsSkeletons gallery search] in  <!--<gallery>Image:Diablo_III_Logo.jpg|Pic 1Image:Diablo_III_Logo.jpg|Pic 2Image:Diablo_III_Logo.jpg|Pic 3</gallery>--> <!--==Related Links==List any links that would be useful for further reading on this particular monster. Try to avoid double links with the Image Gallery"Refereces" section below.-->  ==References==* [[Writings of Abd al-Hazir: Entry no.0008]]* [[Diablo I Manual]]