Bronze skeletons look like actual human (or other) skeletons formed of
solid bronze -- darkly glinting, or greenish and corroded, as the case may
be. Typically, they are used as guardians of great treasures or dangerous
items. They can also be used as menial servants, carrying or moving things.
They may occur either in science fiction or fantasy campaigns. In a fantasy
situation, they are magical, created by a variation on the Golem spell.
In a SF scenario, they are elaborately-designed robots.
They may be "programmed" either for combat or for simple work,
but not for both. Combat-programmed skeletons can be set either to attack
anything within range (no more than five yards), or to attack specific targets.
They can carry one weapon and a shield, or two weapons. Fantasy skeletons
won't use missile weapons; robotic skeletons are usually not programmed
for anything but primitive hand weapons, but occasionally there are surprises!
Skeletons may also be set for menial labor, following very simple instructions,
like "Push that," or "Pick that up and carry it over there."
They may be set to follow any instructions, any instructions prefaced with
a code word, any instructions given by a certain person . . . If labor skeletons
are ordered to attack, they will, but the attack will be clumsy (see below)
and weaponless.
Fantasy skeletons will continue to fight until destroyed, or unless hit
with a Dispel Magic spell.
SF skeletons will fight until destroyed, but can be slowed by jamming a
joint or joints with a small metal object, like a small knife or a nail.
This requires a DX-4 roll in close combat. There may also be special gadgets
that can halt or disable them.
Skeletons of all types can be knocked down; if downed, a combat skeleton
will flail at anything "hostile" that comes close, but will be
unable to stand easily. A skeleton must make a DX-4 roll to stand, and will
try to stand on any turn that there is no target within range.
Because of their open structure, bronze skeletons are immune to impaling
damage from primitive weapons. Even bullets bounce off without effect unless
the skull is targeted, then PD is 6. Lasers and other impaling beam weapons
can attack them, but their PD against such weapons is 6.