Skelly

“

Nice place you got here, boyo! Name's Skelly, how's it going, but enough with the small talk already, I'm here to do a job. So let me have it! Give me everything you got!!

„

~ Skelly

Skelly is a Bloodless "employed" by the House of Hades as a training dummy. While Skelly claims to be on the House's payroll, he refuses to reveal who hired him and is similarly unwilling to discuss his past, instead preferring to play various pranks on Zagreus. Oddly, no one in the House seems to be aware of his existence besides Zagreus and Achilles, unless the former asks them about him.

Skelly has 900 HP. As he's already dead, he will simply reform after being "killed" in training. He seems suspiciously enthusiastic about getting beaten up.

Skelly returns in Hades II as Commander Schelemeus, who aids Melinoë in her fight against Chronos. His role is similar to the first game, where he can be used as a training dummy and offer advice on the various game mechanics.

Characteristics and Personality[]

Skelly, the excessively animated skeleton, remains a mysterious figure. Despite lacking flesh and blood, he eagerly assists Zagreus in mastering the use of weapons, serving as a willing punching bag for the prince's practice sessions. Surprisingly, Skelly finds joy in this role, deriving satisfaction from the experience.

Although he is a skeleton, Skelly possesses a vibrant spirit. He is fiercely loyal and courageous, aiding Zagreus in his escapades behind Hades' back. Skelly tends to exhibit extreme behavior, being highly enthusiastic, talkative, and condescending towards those within earshot. He often engages in playful banter, even going as far as pretending to be capable of experiencing death to play pranks on Zagreus, much to the prince's amusement.

Skelly is friendly and helpful by nature, but he has a tendency to quickly develop a sense of familiarity with others, as if he were an expert in the ways of war. Achilles disapproves of Skelly's imprudent advice and questions who Skelly might have been in life to possess such unwavering confidence in death. Additionally, Skelly exhibits a peculiar masochistic inclination, deriving pleasure from enduring blows.

As "Schelemeus", Skelly takes on an almost over-the-top parody of a Drill Instructor training Melinoë and various other Shades on how to defend themselves against Chronos' forces. Though he acts more serious than in Hades, he nonetheless retains his old joking manner and will occasionally lose his stiff demeanor and respond to Melinoë casually.

Skelly’s enigmatic persona is steeped in theatrical charm and deliberate obfuscation. Though he serves as a comic foil and training dummy, his true nature is anything but simple. He delights in spinning contradictory tales about his past, each more absurd than the last, and even the gods—Hermes included—refer to him as a “con artist,” hinting at a possibly criminal life before death. This label, paired with his alias “Schelemeus” in Hades II, paints a picture of a trickster figure who thrives on misdirection and performance. Despite his affable demeanor, Skelly keeps his true origins tightly guarded, even from close allies like Zagreus and Melinoe, suggesting a complex backstory laced with deception, survival, and perhaps redemption.

Physical description[]

Skelly is depicted as a blue-white skeleton with vibrant red eyes, an anatomically upside down nose in the shape of a heart and an expression of excitement. In an interesting departure from typical skeletal appearances, he possesses a few strands of black hair on the top of his head, accompanied by shaggy sideburns and an irregular ridge along his back. Notably, Skelly places a coin with the symbol of the House of Hades in his mouth. This unique combination of features further enhances Skelly's distinct appearance in the game.

As Schelemeus he looks vastly different from his previous appearance. He now sports a white beard, a headband and his chest is adorned with three medals (gold, silver and bronze). Also, he now wears a long red cape that covers a small part of his right arm, a brown skirt held in place by a silver belt with a crescent moon on it and uses a walking stick. He's no longer hunched back, either, instead standing perfectly straight.

Background[]

Skelly's past is shrouded in mystery. It's implied that he was once a formidable warrior who finally died after surviving numerous legendary battles though none of it has been confirmed.

Hades[]

Skelly first appears right after you purchase your first weapon.

Skelly is shrouded in secrecy, claiming to have been hired by someone who seeks to aid the prince's escape, yet he refuses to disclose the identity of his employer. His actions are driven by a greater purpose, as he plays a part in helping Zagreus reunite with his mother.

When he discovers Zagreus has finally reunited and brought back his mother, Skelly first assumes his job is done and he must find something else to do. However, after Zagreus explains his escape attempts are now official security checks and he could use some help, Skelly stays to help the Prince get even better at fighting.

Zagreus will repeatedly try to convince Skelly to spill out who he is working for, having discovered it's not anyone from the House, but Skelly will always evade the question, even playing a little prank on the prince by providing a fake backstory. Only when Zagreus threatens to stop beating him does Skelly reveals he is working for Charon. Although shocked by the revelation, Zagreus figures the boatman has his own motives, and Skelly agrees.

Hades II[]

Skelly was able to escape Chronos' hostile takeover of the Underworld.

Now styling himself as 'Commander Schelemeus', he now resides in The Crossroads, helping Melinoë with her training. In contrast to his appearance in the first game, he seems particularly cagey about the possibility of Charon being aware of his location and activities. When asked about his commendations, he claims one of them comes from the siege of Illium.

Affinity[]

Skelly's affinity gauge is maxed out at 9 hearts. The 7th affinity gauge is locked until Zagreus fulfils his favor by killing him with the Stygian Blade, but using its Level 5 Zagreus Aspect (which costs a total of 5 Titan Blood), claiming it will set him free of his “contract.”

Completing Skelly's favor also completes the Eternal Rest prophecy.

Affinity Gauge	Gift	Reward
	1	Lucky Tooth
	1	2nd Conversation
	1	3rd Conversation
	1	4th Conversation
	1	5th Conversation
	1	6th Conversation
	1	Companion Rib
	1	Second Ambrosia Conversation
	1	Bond Forged

Schelemeus' affinity gauge is maxed out at 9 hearts. To earn Schelemeus' Trust, Melinoë must first learn the Agumentation of Bone Density incantation from him then cast it. Once done, fight Schelemus in training room and wait for him to return after completing a Night. After returning have a conversation with him then go off to attempt another Night run. The final conversation will have Melinoë express relief that Schelemeus didn't turn out to be some deceiving foe and considers him a friend. Once the conversation ends, the affinity gauge will unlock and you can give him Ambrosia.

Affinity Gauge	Indulgences	Reward
	1	Luckier Tooth
	1	2nd Conversation
	1	3rd Conversation
	1	4th Conversation
	1	5th Conversation
	1	Ambrosia Conversation
	1	Second Ambrosia Conversation
	1	Bond Forged

Challenge Statues (Hades)[]

Skelly will add 3 covered statues to the southwest of the courtyard which require you to complete runs at certain heat levels: 8, 16, and 32.

Codex entry[]

'...The animated skeleton and I, we seldom get along. He is too talkative for me, and spouts such simple condescensions to all those in earshot, seemingly as though he were an expert in the ways of war. I disapprove of his reckless advice, and am uncertain as to who he was in life, to be so self-assured in death. I am uncertain as to why he is even here; it is quite odd the Master does not know of him, at all. Nevertheless, I sense that there is naught to fear from him. And, I have to confess, I admire the determination with which he carries out his task, of simply standing at attention, being beaten, often mercilessly, all for martial training's sake. My limited inquiries as to his origins have come up empty as of yet. I know only that he first appeared in the House's upper courtyard soon after the Master and his son had their latest, terrible exchange of words. To think, at first I thought the Master set this skeleton to work. But, if not the Master... who?'

Book of Shadows entry (Hades II)[]

'An unyielding presence, that much at least is true. You admire his wisdom and resilience. He bears the manner of a mortal, which gives him an ease with which he is able to earn the trust of many of the Shades of the Crossroads.'

Trivia[]

Skelly having an obol in his mouth is a reference to how people in Ancient Greece were buried: with an obol in their mouth so they can pay Charon their passage.
A recurring theory is that Skelly's true identity is that of Greek hero Odysseus. Famous for having presented himself as Nobody to the Cyclops Polyphemus, Skelly pulls a similar prank when he refers to himself as Schelemeus. Furthermore, Achilles is the only one besides Zagreus to be 100% aware of his existence, and even states he seems to be an expert in the ways of war, while Odysseus has fought in many wars, especially the Trojan War, and was a fellow companion of Achilles. During his lie about his past, Skelly says he was the "Captain of the Cretan second fleet, sailing to Athens under King Minos"; while this isn't true, Odysseus is very famous for his long trip back home to Ithaca.
- With the appearance of both Odysseus and Skelly, now going by the name Schelemeus, in Hades II, this theory has been disproven.
  - Nonetheless, it is referenced in a dialogue with Odysseus, when he says Schelemeus feats rival his own.
- Were this theory to be true, that would mean Skelly is none other than Hermes' great-grandson in Greek Mythology, which could further explain his prankster personality, since Hermes is the God of Trickery.
  - This could also further explain how they know each other, given their kinship and the times Hermes helped Odysseus, and it might have even been through Hermes that Skelly got hired by Charon. Additionally, Odysseus infiltrated the Underworld, so Charon would already be slightly aware of the type of person he is.
In Hades II, one of Skelly's responses for when Toula is sent to attack him is to sniff and say "Damn sinuses...", suggesting he might be (and might've been) allergic to cats.
When speaking with Hades as a prisoner and he laments the capture of Nyx, Melinoë will mention Hypnos survived, as well as Schelemeus from his court. Hades will say he has no recollection of such a person, whether it's because of the new name or the fact only the siblings are able to interact with him isn't clear.