Ossuary Legion

Ossuary Legion necromancers transform the dead into a disciplined military force. Rather than relying on fragile masses of shambling corpses, they reinforce skeletons with iron plates, sharpen their bones into weapons, and train them to operate as a single formation. Their greatest work is a bone champion: a durable undead commander that anchors the legion, protects allies, and breaks enemy lines.

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Hit Die

1d8 per Necromancer level; 8 + Constitution modifier at 1st level, increasing by 1d8 or 5 + Constitution modifier per Necromancer level thereafter.

Subclass of Necromancer

Ossuary Legion

The dead do not break. They advance.

SystemD&D 5E (2014)

RoleSummoner and battlefield commander specializing in durable undead infantry, defensive formations, ranged support, and a powerful bone champion.

Hit Die1d8 per Necromancer level; 8 + Constitution modifier at 1st level, increasing by 1d8 or 5 + Constitution modifier per Necromancer level thereafter.

ResourceGrave Sparks, undead servants, spell slots, and coordinated formations.

Primary AbilitiesIntelligence & Constitution

SavesUses the Necromancer's spell save DC and spell attack modifier. Legion Skeletons and the Bone Champion use your proficiency bonus where specified and benefit from Deathless Cohort, Interpose the Host, Army in Motion, Refuse the Grave, Grave Throne, and Apotheosis of Death when their wording allows.

SystemD&D 5E (2014)

The Ossuary Legion

Spellcasting & Powers

You use the Necromancer's full spellcasting progression and Intelligence-based spellcasting. This subclass emphasizes necromancy, summoning, corpse preservation, defensive death magic, and battlefield control.

Curated Spell List

1st-Level Spells

False Life Provides protective vitality appropriate to a commander who stands among the dead.
Ray of Sickness A reliable weakening attack that complements skeletal ranged fire.
Cause Fear Breaks enemy morale before the legion closes ranks.
Protection from Evil and Good Protects the commander or champion from hostile supernatural control.

2nd-Level Spells

Animate Dead Raises the infantry that forms the foundation of the Ossuary Legion.
Gentle Repose Preserves suitable corpses for later recruitment or restoration.
Blindness/Deafness Creates openings for formations and concentrated ranged attacks.
Ray of Enfeeblement Reduces the threat posed by powerful enemy melee combatants.

3rd-Level Spells

Animate Dead Improves the size and persistence of the undead host as spell slots increase.
Bestow Curse Punishes enemies pinned against skeletal formations.
Feign Death Allows living allies to survive beside the legion or infiltrate enemy lines.
Summon Undead Adds a specialized undead combatant to the formation.

4th- and 5th-Level Spells

Create Undead Produces elite undead that can serve as officers or heavy support.
Danse Macabre Temporarily expands the legion with a sudden battlefield detachment.
Blight Deals severe necrotic damage to durable living targets.
Death Ward Keeps the commander or a key ally standing through a lethal attack.

Multiclassing

This subclass requires access to the Necromancer class and its Necromantic Tradition feature. It benefits most from high Intelligence and a substantial number of undead servants. If multiclassing rules require an ability score prerequisite, use Intelligence 13.

Proficiencies

You gain no additional proficiencies. Ossuary Legion training focuses on corpse preservation, battlefield engineering, armor fitting, ranged-weapon drills, and command signals.

Skill Options

Arcana
History
Intimidation
Investigation
Medicine
Religion

Training & Initiation

An aspiring Ossuary Legion necromancer studies anatomy, military drill, armor repair, corpse preservation, and command rhetoric. Initiation requires assembling a complete skeletal soldier from lawful remains, fitting it with personally crafted armor, and leading it through a trial formation without speaking a single command aloud.

Societal Perception

Most people fear the Ossuary Legion as an unnatural army, but frontier communities and veterans often recognize its practical value. Nobles may seek to control it, temples may demand strict burial laws, and common soldiers tend to respect necromancers who remember the names of the dead.

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