My Explanation for Black Skeletons

[Lord Tyler II]

Many have noticed and pondered the mystery of the 08 Castle sets: Why are some of the skelies black?
I haven't heard any real theories, but I did hear mention of possible racism (jokingly), which I'm sure is false. So, I've created my own "story-line" reason for the black skelies, and it's really pretty simple: They're charred! The "Evil Wizard's" lair seems to be in a volcanic environment (like most evil guys) and it seems likely that while this Necromancer was creating his skeletal horde some of the dopey bone-bags may have tripped, resulting in a fire/lava blackened soldier. After the first few fell in the Wizard probably would have realized the helpfulness of burnt skelies, being that fire hardened materials withstand more, and would have started "accidentally" giving his cohorts a magma-bath.
Anyway, that's my explanation for the skeletal mystery. Have a better idea? Post away!

[Tanotrooper]

Well of course the skellies are burnt, otherwise they couldn't be black? Same with horses, wich I need to use in a MOC sometime...

TT

[Danielas]

thats a good thought! I thought they were ork or troll skeletons

[HeartOfDarkness]

I just use them as a different faction. Black skeleton vs. white skeleton= good fun.

[Foxglove]

My theory's a little different -

The evil wizard is obviously a Necromancer who raises the dead to do his foul bidding.

Some of his skeletons are black because they're coated with the magical refuse of his spell components - in other words, anyone killed by his black skeletons raises from the dead immediately instead of needed a curse cast on them.

Obviously they're also strengthened by the magical blight that clings to their frames - far more so than his normal skeletons.

A self-perpetuating army!

[Tower of Iron Will]

I treat the black skeletons as a more powerful version of skeleton. Kind of like a "special forces" or "green beret" for skeletons.
-Tower

[Heir of Black Falcon]

I think the idea of them being more powerful has always made sense to me. I had never thought of them as different factions but if one had enough I could see it.

R

[HeartOfDarkness]

I treat the black skeletons as a more powerful version of skeleton. Kind of like a "special forces" or "green beret" for skeletons.
-Tower

I used to do omething like that, but after the second chess set my black skeletons outnumbered my white ones.

[Moroder]

Some of his skeletons are black because they're coated with the magical refuse of his spell components - in other words, anyone killed by his black skeletons raises from the dead immediately instead of needed a curse cast on them.

Dark skeletons of mine are magically enhanced, too, but... do you remember the wight from Myth: The Fallen Lords? Like those undead cratures, the dark skeletons of my army are "infested" with a corrosive liquid and explode upon impact.

It provides a new level of strategy to the opposing army...

[Quickblade22]

I like the idea of them being hardened by being charred. I also have more black than white ones, so the idea of having them tougher is out for me for now. What I do is have them be created by a dark magic that gives them a shadow-like property. It ties in well with some of my stories magical aspects. To be honest with you, I haven't really explored the thought in too much depth.

[Lord Tyler II]

thats a good thought! I thought they were ork of troll skeletons

That's not a bad idea! If some of his trolls died he could have simply raised them from the dead! And the possibility of black blood would explain some things...

[LORD DOOM]

I been callin' 'em "Burn Victims" since I first saw 'em.

[FullNelson]

I always thought that the Wizard raised all his Skeletons from the dead and the Black ones were Cremated then the Wizard found the ashes and brought them to life. Then because the ashes alone would not hold them together he fused them with another skeleton coating them in black ashes that hardened. Then foila Special Forces.

[Invaderjes]

I always thought that the Wizard raised all his Skeletons from the dead and the Black ones were Cremated then the Wizard found the ashes and brought them to life. Then because the ashes alone would not hold them together he fused them with another skeleton coating them in black ashes that hardened. Then foila Special Forces.

I was pretending they were orc skeletons, I like this ash ideal. That's pretty sweet!

[Grommuk]

Hmm, interesting.

However, I treat them more like zombies.


When a Necromancer raises a fresh body, it takes time for the flesh to fully corrode. These Walking abominations have black flesh outlining their bones because it has yet to corode, and necromancy does freaky things to flesh.