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Skeleden
Skeleden-Standard-blog
Dungeon Traveler
Vital statistics
Name Skeleden
Species Traveler
Origin Unknown

Details[]

Skeleden is a collaboration between Matt Doughty of Onell Design and George Gaspar of October Toys. He is featured in the Passcode game Dungeon Traveler which was used as a promotional piece in connection with the Skeleton Warriors Kickstarter.

Character History[]

Skeleden-ALT-WEB

Prototype Skeleden[1]

"Our great friends George and Ayleen Gaspar of October Toys have just launched an all new Kickstarter campaign for the classic 90's property, Skeleton Warriors! This resurrected rollout features 100% Glyos compatibility, but also employs the "Glybrid" insert molded traditional joint articulation that was pioneered with the Four Horsemen's fantastic Power Lords series.

We're also super excited to see another Traveler come to life, in the form of Skeleden. George and I each sculpted parts for this strange twist on the Traveler design, with George making all the best looking parts! He truly is a damn talented artist and was a blast to work with.

Soultaker

Soultaker Pixel Art[2]

Marcus and I have some neat crossover posts coming this week, expanding a bit on who Skeleden is and his connections to the Skeleton Warriors universe. Skeleden represents a number of homages for me personally, and we'll explore some of them in the coming days.

Sega's classic video game Golden Axe is a major one of them."[3]

"Skeleden has been a work in progress for exactly one year, with the original design sketches being drafted in early February 2014. What started out as a small option for a basic Traveler turned into something much more involved, becoming a significant part of our 2015 plan along the way.

Villser-Soldier-3-Concept

Early Skeleden/REALxHEAD Pheyaos head inspiration sketch (Top Right)[4]

The core design of Skeleden was intended to be a mix of Villser, Pheyaos, Mori's classic Chaos, Inhumanoids, Manglors and of course Skeleton Warriors - with a dash of 90's era Spawn stirred in. Pushing the more biological narrative to the sculpted parts was the central aesthetic focus, and proved to be a trip to explore with the always great George Gaspar of October Toys. The dual duties on the sculpting brought something unique to the final look, and I'm very thankful for George's willingness to deal with my eccentricities during the process.

The actual slide on armor concept used on Skeleden actually came from another project that I had been working on in late 2013, which was a more "Glyos Space" looking set of armor parts that were to be used as an upgrade for the Traveler, Glyan, Buildman, Noboto and Callgrim molds. The basic dimensions of most of our stuff is lined up by design, and I spent an unholy amount of time trying to devise a simple optional armor set that could augment our already exiting figures at a low cost to purchase. Kind of like the idea behind the Armored Valkyries from Macross, or the beefed up armor parts from Spiral Zone. The majority of the sculpting for that "Glyarmor" project was actually completed, and then the Skeleden factor came into play. Things just rolled into a giant bone armored beast from that point, spawning something even more bizarre than our usual oddities from space! Maybe we'll still see that original Glyarmor Set surface before long.

Skeleden-Test-set4

Early Skeleden Test Shots

There are many hidden aspects to the Skeleden Armor, and successfully adjusting the measurements and tolerances to get everything to work just right was a true challenge. Over the next few days we'll pop up a few pics showing the little "tricks" that you can pull off with multiple sets, as well as some behind the scenes looks at the development of Skeleden."[5]

"Skeleden currently holds the record over here for the most revisions and rounds of test shots (five total) of any project in our almost 8 years of production. The major challenges surfaced in the form of the actual armor fittings. Originally, the torso armor was smaller and more compact (shown above), but the fit kept coming in on the loose side, which was unacceptable. The two leg armor parts also had too much play, and eventually had to have some pretty major changes made to achieve the optimal fit.

Manglor-Attack-2-ALT

Skeleden vs Manglors

Due to the hidden functions of the leg armor parts in particular, nailing their precise dimensions was critical to more than just holding them correctly in place on Pheyden's lower legs. These parts also had to work with the hands, shoulders and thighs, representing a multipurpose angle design that could operate across most of our other molds as well.

Skeleden's armor is compatible with all the Travelers, Buildman, Noboto, the Glyan and Jesse's Callgrim. The torso armor is reversible, with a "bio-gladiator" type cuirass vibe on one side and the Phanosty looking skull sculpt on the other. Consideration was also put into making the torso piece effectively seat upside down on the head, to create a heavy armored look (pretty strange in concept but sort of neat when in place).

The extra time and slightly maddening process of tweaking the armor were both definitely worth pushing through!"[6]

"The pics are of Test Shot Number Five, which sealed the deal after repeatedly striking out on four earlier versions of the Skeleden armor.

Skeleden-Test-set6

Skeleden Test Shot #5

The major changes that occurred to the sculpt for Number Five focused mainly on the following:

  • Revised size and shape of the torso armor, with newly added sculpting around the front and back edges to achieve a tighter grip on the base body. I tried to hide a bunch of strange visual elements across the back area, with some Lovecraftian inspired creepiness in the form of a little Cthulhu half face hanging onto Skeleden's upper left side. The "back" area is patterned after old school gladiator armor design concepts, fused with a little Bio-Boosted punch.
  • Revised size and shape of both leg armors. Skeleden's right leg armor was extended downwards and the skeletal creature on the knee area was tweaked, as well as some redefining of the "ribbing" that curves around to the back. The left leg armor was also extended downwards and given some extra detail and a tighter fit.
  • Revised interface of the two part head connection. After George completed his killer master sculpt of Skeleden's noggin, I sent a copy to our team in China to create the first tooling pattern. They then sent back the tooling pattern with our requested 2 part separation, which not only allowed for more interchangeability, but eliminated the need for glue that would have compromised production runs with clear PVC. Since the head was originally sculpted as one part, I went in and added details to the areas that previously would have remained unseen. If you flip Skeleden's head upside down and reverse it, then replug the skullcap on, you can create a "Skeledrone" head configuration, to do Skeleden's dirty work.

When the fifth test shot finally hit the mark (and completely passed my "shake" test) I had to scream for a little bit. The good kind of scream."[7]

Story[]

Dungeon Traveler[]

Dungeon-Traveler-whirlwind

Dungeon Traveler Soultaker Ax Whirlwind move

"Emerging from eternal darkness, the Black Citadel Dreadvalken drifts between shadow and reality, calling to those driven by fear and desire. No soul that passes through its gates shall ever return the same..."

The Dungeon Traveler Skeleden fought through each dungeon of increasing difficulty defeating the Titan Skeletons along the way. Grabbing the Soultaker Ax, he temporarily becomes a whirlwind cleaning through the Skeleton enemies to defeat them. Ten dungeons were cleared before finding his way out.

"Another Traveler has conquered the fear within and the Black Citadel once again fades into the void. ...waiting for you."[8]

Skeleden's Revenge[]

The Skeleden and his loyal Skullboto minions take on the Glyknights.

Secret Beneath the Ice[]

Wave 43

Dungeon Traveler[]

Standard Skeleden (Maxx Gray/ Maroon w/ painted eyes, Maxx Gray Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Maroon/ Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Nemica Icewave Mutation[]

(Clear Blue w/ painted eyes, Clear Blue Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Clear Blue Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Skeleden Stealth Armor Set[]

Includes Armor parts only. 10 total parts. $5

Skeleton Warriors Kickstarter[]

Luminaire Edition[]

Skeleden (Bone/ Lavender w/ painted eyes, Bone Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Lavender/ Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) Exclusive to backers of the October Toys Skeleton Warriors Kickstarter campaign[10]

Sendollest Drifts[]

Wave 44

Sendollest Mutation[]

(Ultra Bronze w/ painted eyes, Ultra Bronze Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe, Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Sentinel Mutation[]

(Light Aqua/ Dark Aqua w/ painted eyes, Light Aqua Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Dark Aqua Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Pyrosurge Mutation[]

(Clear Yellow/ Clear Orange w/ painted eyes, Clear Yellow Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Clear Orange Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Dungeon Traveler Reverse[]

Skeleden Reverse (Maroon/ Maxx Gray w/ painted eyes, Maroon Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Maxx Gray Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Code of the Slayers[]

Wave 45

Slayer Mutation[]

C2E2 2015 Debut (Red/ Gunmetal Silver w/ painted eyes, Red Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Gunmetal Silver Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Dokurios Mutation[]

(Gunmetal Silver/ Clear Purple w/ painted eyes, Gunmetal Silver Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Clear Purple Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Neo Phase Mutation[]

(Clear Neon Green/ Clear Dark Teal w/ painted eyes, Clear Neon Green Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Clear Dark Teal Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

Mordireus Mutation[]

C2E2 2015 Debut[11] (Clear Neon Pink w/ painted eyes, Clear Neon Pink Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Clear Neon Pink Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

The Manglor Mutation[]

Wave 46

Manglor Mutation[]

(Green/ Purple w/ painted eyes, Green Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe, Purple Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12 (Manglord Homage)

Cosmodemon Mutation[]

(Pale Orange/ Butterscotch w/ painted eyes, Pale Orange Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Butterscotch Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12 (Manglodemon Homage)

Dragotauri Mutation[]

(Light Blue/ Blue w/ painted eyes, Light Blue Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Blue Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12 (Manglodragon Homage)

Sauruzard Mutation[]

(Tomato Red/ Plum w/ painted eyes, Tomato Red Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Plum Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12 (Manglizard Homage)

Demonslither[]

Club Zeton Exclusive[12] (Sauruzard Mutation Reverse) (Plum/ Tomato Red w/ painted eyes, Plum Skeleden head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe and Tomato Red Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) Exclusive to Club Zeton Membership package (Manglosaurus Homage)


The Black Bridge of Glyosar[]

Wave 47

Ullcroth Mutation[]

Frontier Pheyden homage[13] (Brown PVC/ Bone PVC/ Flesh paint/ Ceramic Brown accents/ Red accents/ Black accents and Ochre Detail Lines) $18 -Features the debut of full Detail Lines and paint wash application on a Skeleden edition

Orkmogg Horde Mutation[]

(Dark Brown PVC/ Pale Green paint/ Ceramic Gray accents/ Red accents and Muddy Green Detail Lines) $18 -Features the debut of full Detail Lines and paint wash application on a Skeleden edition

The Gendrone War[]

Wave 48

Imperium Mutation[]

(Metallic Teal Blue w/ Red eyes, Metallic Teal Blue head/ armor/ upper arms/ thighs/ axe/ Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head) $12

The Andromeda Effect[]

Wave 49

Spectre Mutation[]

Glow in the Dark Green w/ Aqua paint and Black eyes, Glow in the Dark head/ armor/ partial Aqua paint Glow in the Dark upper arms/ Aqua painted thighs/ Glow in the Dark axe/ Glow in the Dark Traveler base body/ upper arms/ thighs/ Pheyden head.) $14

Union of Exiles[]

Wave 50

Marrow Mutation[]

Includes full Pheyden figure plus 10 Skeleden Armor parts. 23 total parts. $14 each.

Flesh Mutation[]

Includes full Pheyden figure plus 10 Skeleden Armor parts. 23 total parts. $10 each.

Clan of the Glyninja[]

Wave 57

Ku[]

See: Ku

Oozarian Fiend[]

Includes full Pheyden figure plus 10 Skeleden Armor parts. 23 total parts. $14 each.

Capture Run[]

Wave 60

Keldorac[]

Includes full Pheyden figure plus 10 Skeleden Armor parts. 23 total parts. $12 each.

Henshin III[]

Wave 62

Metrastorm[]

Includes full Skeleden Armor plus full Pheyden figure. 23 Total Parts. $12 each.

Altered Perceptions[]

Wave 65

Standard MK II[]

Includes Skeleden Armor plus full Pheyden figure and bonus scarf. 28 Total Parts. $14

Standard MK II DX[]

Features fully painted, detailed lined figure and armor pieces. Includes Skeleden Armor plus full Pheyden figure and bonus scarf. 28 Total Parts. $20

Skullgrey[]

Includes Skeleden Armor plus full Pheyden figure. 23 Total Parts. $12

Order of the Glyknights II[]

Wave 68

Ureydak[]

Includes Skeleden Armor plus full Pheyden figure, bonus scarf and bonus Skeleden armor parts. 28 Total Parts. $14

Redborg Rises[]

Wave 70

Redborg[]

Includes Skeleden Armor plus full Pheyden figure, bonus scarf and bonus Skeleden armor parts. 34 Total Parts. $16

Vile Vendettas[]

Wave 76

Hallowden King[]

Includes full Skeleden Armor, full Pheyden figure, painted Reverse Skeleden head plus additional Skeleden armor pieces (without second axe) and bonus traveler scarf. 32 Total Parts. $16

References[]

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