Dungeons & Dragons Shredskin Miniature

In Dungeons & Dragons, a Shredskin is an undead creature formed from the shed skin of humanoids who met violent or traumatic deaths. These malevolent entities are typically encountered in abandoned places such as ruins, crypts, or battlefields. The Shredskin is characterized by its tattered and hollow appearance, resembling a translucent and decaying version of its former self. Despite lacking muscle and bone, the Shredskin is animated by dark magic, granting it a sinister semblance of life.

Shredskins are driven by an insatiable need to instill fear and inflict suffering on the living. Their methods of attack are particularly gruesome; they attempt to wrap themselves around their victims, suffocating and constricting them while drawing sustenance from the fear and pain they cause. This suffocation is not just a physical attack but also a psychological one, as the Shredskin's horrifying appearance and relentless nature can induce panic and terror.

In combat, Shredskins are difficult to detect due to their nearly transparent forms, allowing them to blend into their surroundings until they strike. They are resistant to many forms of damage, particularly those that rely on physical impact, given their lack of solid structure. Magic and weapons imbued with holy power or those designed to combat undead are typically more effective against them.

The origins of Shredskins are often linked to dark rituals or cursed locales where numerous violent deaths have occurred. They are sometimes created by necromancers or other dark magic practitioners who harness the despair and anguish of the deceased to fashion these undead minions. Defeating a Shredskin usually requires more than mere physical prowess; understanding their nature and using appropriate magical or blessed tools is crucial to overcoming their eerie and persistent threat.