These powerful skeletal sorcerers are extremely dangerous undead, usually created independently through force of unrequited will. Skeletal mages are never commanded by necromancers, but occasionally ally with them — or use necromancers as slaves to their will. These sorcerers were often once necromancers themselves and have now ascended a single step further into the undead realm, aligning their bodies and souls with the evil forces beyond. When they have truly mastered these forces, they may ascend into lichdom, but for now they content themselves with physical power and cruel ascendancy.