Skeletal remains are the bones, clothes, and other items of a long-perished person. Skeletal remains are often used in worldbuilding to highlight the danger of an area or provide clues about a nearby trap or dangerous animal. Skeletal remains may be the remains of a previous expedition, explorer, adventurer, or other person. They may have important notes or other useful items on them.

Skeletal remains can be used to tell a story. The positioning of the skeletal can provide context into a persons’ last actions. Injury to the bones can give clues as to what transpired. Two skeletons wrapped in an embrace may indicate a romance or a struggle. A family of skeletons may have huddled together in their last moments.

In addition to the positioning of the body, skeletal remains may contain wallets, sacks of gold, religious icons, or other miscellaneous items that were carried at the time. Often in fictional worlds they may possess important notes or other useful items.

In fantasy worlds skeletal remains may be living skeletons that rise from the dead.

Fictional skeletal remains may feature birds circling above.