Skeleton warrior. This undead creation is formed when a necromancer of at least 16th level binds the spirit of a powerful fighter into a specially prepared circlet, often using the spell life force transfer. The skeleton warrior retains all of the abilities, intellect, and personality it possessed in life, except that it must obey, as a willing slave, whoever wears the circlet. Not surprisingly, all skeleton warriors seek to obtain the circlet containing their souls so that they may destroy it and rest in peace. To counter this, the necromancer either must always wear the circlet or must somehow restrain the skeleton warrior (perhaps in a locked room) when the wizard chooses to remove the circlet. With their high magic resistance (90%), skeleton warriors make almost unbeatable wizard-killers. Undead Masters are among the few necromancers who would willingly tolerate such a constant threat in return for the service of this powerful minion.
It is rumored in the Book of Shadows that a talented wizard may be able create another type of soul receptacle for a skeleton warrior (like a ring, perhaps) that would enable an ambitious necromancer to simultaneously control more than one of these creatures. Other powerful mages, such as the famous Elminster, have noted that it may be possible to bind wizards in such a fashion. For example, Tashara of the Seven Skulls was said to have bound no fewer than seven lesser undead wizards into her service before she was finally outdone by her own ambition and greed for magical power. Such awesome necromantic bindings, including the subjugation of liches (if such is indeed possible, as implied in the Art of Necromancy), are risky enterprises for only the most powerful necromancers.