The Winter War: Ruined Cottage

The Necromancer Lords used their undead legions expertly during the Winter War. Impervious to the cold, skeletons marched into enemy villages, setting fire to the dry, thatched roofs. When the inhabitants fled the conflagration, they faced snow, ice and being chased by skeletal wolves. The wolves hunted without mercy, nor fatigue.

     In the spring the humans rallied, driving south and smashing the skeleton forces with their heavy cavalry. Not all the skeletons were trampled, however. Some Necromancer Lords withdrew their forces into the ruined villages, forcing their enemy to dismount and fight house to house.

     Accompanying this post is a rough map typical of the ruined cottages littering the border between the Necromancer Lords’ territory and the Northern Kingdom. The cottage is a simple structure, some 25’ long by 15’ wide. It features two rooms, a main room for cooking and socializing and a small bed chamber. Any undead lurking in the cottage will usually be in the bedchamber and will attack anyone who enters the building.

Human Warrior Skeleton; Medium undead; CR 1/3; HD d12; hp 6; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AL NE;      Armor: AC 15 (+1 dex, +2 natural, +2 heavy steel shield), touch 11, flat-footed 14.       Attacks: Base Atk +0, Grp +1; Melee: Longsword +1 (+1 str) (d8+1, 19-20/x2) or claw +1 (d4+1);       Saves: Fort +0, Ref +1, Will +2.       Abilities: Str 13 (+1), Dex 13 (+1), Con - , Int - , Wis 10, Cha 1 (-5).       Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/bludgeoning, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to cold, undead traits.       Feats: Improved Initiative.