Updated the blazing skeleton with some input from @ToddKenreck here it is. Commentary on what I changed and why follows. pic.twitter.com/vEtQoJh36r

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 11, 2018

I really liked the spiteful, hateful, and chaotic element of their personalities, so I recast the attacks as spells to give me an excuse to drop the very lawful, predictable stat modifier. More dice feels chaotic to me, plus produces some truly punishing crits. Todd also had the very cool idea of these guys spawning more of their kind if their death burst kills something. The death burst idea came up a few times, but his flourish added a flavor I really liked. I also loved the idea of Orcus-inspired undead having an infestation angle.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 11, 2018

That fit in really well with his concept of wanting to turn every living thing in the cosmos into undead vassals. I also turned down the melee attack quite a bit to get across that these are primarily ranged fighters. As I tweet this I’m also considering an effect where anything killed by their ranged attack pops up as a normal skeleton. That might be too much, but in the case of a servant of Orcus too much might be just enough.

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 11, 2018

I hope this illustrates one of the big parts of what I see as my creative voice – I like infusing personality and a narrative into everything. Finding the view point character and then building on that leads to a lot of fun design, IMO. In this case, our view point characters are the demonic spirit that infests the undead (it’s a destructive pyromaniac) and Orcus (he’s a beast with limitless ambition who wants to render everything undead).

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 11, 2018

“Just enough is unacceptable. Do more or suffer my wrath!” -Orcus I see you’ve met him, too

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 12, 2018

Thanks for your patience during the stream today – two browser crashes and a missing spread sheet couldn't stop us! Here's the blazing skeleton after running the numbers. I suspect it might need an HP boost, but that's what play testing is for! pic.twitter.com/SNrvdPa1vP

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 10, 2018

Here is mine I used. Forgive my #DnD shorthand. pic.twitter.com/cPMLrtk8fW

— John Bultena (@OnlyPlayWizards) July 10, 2018

So is this a skeleton thats on fire or a skeleton that's ripping a hot bowl of ganja?

— Stud McMillionaire (@S_McMillionaire) July 10, 2018

Why not both? https://t.co/YG9mteRpGQ

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 10, 2018

How would a creature’s CR be affected if they had the ability to summon one (or multiple) of these guys? wouldn't change it, unless the CR tried to capture the power of the summoned. Normally, just treat them as additional creatures in encounter

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 10, 2018

No more 2d12 on the ranged? damage had to come down to keep it at CR 1

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 10, 2018

I’ve yet to see the vod, but why does this CR 1 creature get saving throws? I personally add saving throws to things by myself since it’s only fair and adds weaknesses and strengths but that isn’t normal designer wisdom in 5e as far as I can see. Tying back to their magical nature, I liked this guys being a little more resilient against spells

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 10, 2018

No special feature noting that it sheds light? Oversight or intentional? Not sure we’d note that; good example of something that final design would consider

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 10, 2018

Inspired by @mikemearls today. I’m using burning skeletons that are vulnerable to every form of damage other than fire. When they die they cause 4d6 point of fire damage to everything within 10 feet. Creatures killed by this fire damage are animated as a burning skeleton. I love that! Can i steal it?

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) July 11, 2018

1
“Andabar Slute?” the baron thundered, as his guards dragged the chained miscreant to the foot of his high seat and hurled him to the rushes. “How plead you, miscreant?”
“Nowhere near as guilty as you think I am,” said the prisoner. “So if you’ll let me go free…”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

2)
The laughter rolled around the baron’s hall.
“Well, at least this one’s entertaining,” the baroness commented. “Don’t slit his throat QUITE yet, dear.”
“No more killing,” the baron told her. “New royal policy. We’re supposed to enslave them all, instead.”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

3)
He nudged the prisoner with his boot. “So, Slute, what’re you good at?”
“I’m a master cook. Free me, and I’ll feed your entire castle the best meal they’ll ever taste.”
Baron and baroness exchanged astonished—and pleased—glances.#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

4)
Half that long night later, the baron belched contentedly and cuddled with the baroness. “He was telling truth, too! Best I’ve ever tasted!”
“Mmmhmmm,” the baroness agreed. “Wonderful. Why don’t we keep him? Chained to the kitchens?”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

5
“That would be a mistake,” a cold and all too familiar voice told them, erupting from the baroness’s crystal ball.
“Your Majesty!” the baron and baroness exclaimed in embarrassed unison, hurriedly clutching whatever clothes they could find over their bared selves.#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

6)
“Well, of COURSE we’ll send him to you if you’d prefer—”
“Prefer to dine on what Slute The Poisoner fed me? I think not!”
Baron and baroness exchanged astonished—and horrified—glances.
As they started to turn green. And their mouths filled with froth.#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

7)
“Slute?” the crystal ball barked. “Are you there?”
“I am, Majesty. Everyone in the castle. A complete success.”
“Well, you’ll have to be the baron of a few rats and the horses until my armsmen get there. Try to leave them a FEW local wenches, will you?”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

1)
“Bundabrus Blackdragon’s the name, adventuring’s the game,” the handsome man announced grandly, striking a pose and looking down on the scantily-clad woman, the most striking he’d ever beheld. “And who might you be, my delectable beauty?”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

2)
“Sluth the Shapeshifter,” the stunningly beautiful woman replied, as she grew tentacles, wrapped them around his throat, and tugged. “And HELLO, dinner. Never had black dragon before…”#epic fantasy

— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 14, 2018

Although creating undead is evil, is the use of the command undead wizard feature evil. Running a CG necro wizard for flavour (makes sense in the world we are running) but don't wanna summon undead.

— James Gilmour (@JTAGilmour) May 31, 2018

No on all counts!

— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 31, 2018