# Cackling Skeleton

*Medium* *Undead* *neutral evil*

- **Armor Class:** 9
- **Hit Points:** 26 (4d8+8)
- **Speed:** walk 30 ft.
- **Challenge Rating:** 1/2 (100 XP)
- **Source:** Tome of Beasts 2, page 79

| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 12 (+1) | 9 (-1) | 15 (+2) | 8 (-1) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) |

- **Saving Throws**: Cha +4
- **Skills:** 
- **Damage Immunities:** poison
- **Condition Immunities:** exhaustion, poisoned
- **Senses:** darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
- **Languages:** the languages it knew in life

### Special Abilities

- **Cackle:** The skeleton emits a constant, demoralizing cackle. When a creature that isn't an undead or a construct starts its turn within 30 feet of the cackling skeleton and can hear the skeleton, it must make a DC 10 Wisdom saving throw or feel demoralized by the skeleton's cackling. A demoralized creature has disadvantage on attack rolls until the start of its next turn.
- **Turn Vulnerability:** The cackling skeleton has disadvantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

### Actions

- **Slam:** Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage. The cackling skeleton has advantage on this attack roll if the target is demoralized.
- **Mock (Recharge 5-6):** The cackling skeleton mocks the futile efforts of up to three creatures it can see within 30 feet of it that aren't undead or constructs. Each target must make a DC 12 Charisma saving throw, taking 5 (2d4) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A demoralized target has disadvantage on this saving throw.