Skeletal Guard

This spell transforms a handful of human fingerbones into complete undead skeletons. One skeleton is created per fingerbone used in the spellcasting, to a maximum of eight. These undead are under the complete unbreakable control of the caster and respond to his or her silent mental orders. Other spellcasting on the part of the wizard does not disturb this control, and in fact the skeletons can readily be augmented or altered by additional spells cast later by the skeletal guard caster.

Skeletons remain within 60 feet of the caster. If forced beyond that distance (for instance, because the caster teleports beyond range), they become motionless until the caster moves within 60 feet once again, they are destroyed, or the spell expires.

The skeletons rise up from wherever the caster tossed the fingerbones during casting (so long as their resting places are within 60 feet) at the end of the round following casting, and they instantly respond to the caster's commands. (They stand motionless if none are given.) They have all of the properties of undead human skeletons as described in the MONSTROUS MANUAL tome except that they are turned as "special" creatures. They melt away into dust when the skeletal guard spell expires.

The material components of this spell are up to eight intact human fingerbones (not necessarily from the same skeleton).