Skeleton (Fallout: New Vegas)

Skeletons are the remains of deceased people and creatures.

Background
The bones of creatures and human beings are found in various places across the former United States.

Gameplay
The Courier can pick up skeletons, but not loot them. One may also find skeletons near weapons, ammunition, notes and medical supplies. They may even correlate with unmarked quests. Skeletons can also stretch out, they will sometimes fling when interacted with. Some skeletons are smaller than the normal variant.

In Dead Money, the skeletons of Vera Keyes and Frederick Sinclair can be found in the executive suites and the Sierra Madre vault, respectively. Vera's skeleton can be dismembered and wears a unique outfit that can be retrieved. Sinclair's skeleton (called "The Founder's Remains" in-game) acts as a container, although it contains nothing. In Honest Hearts, the skeleton of Randall Clark, a.k.a. the Survivalist, can be found atop the Red Gate.

In Old World Blues, Y-17 trauma override harnesses, automated suits that house long deceased test subjects, can be found all over Big MT. Additionally, the skeleton of Dr. Calis can be found clothed in scientist scrubs, and one can search this skeleton. One can also see that no spinal cord connects with the rest of the body; this is because his body is coded as human, and is wearing a "skull hat."

Appearances
Skeletons appear

Behind the scenes
In the real world, decay equates to skeletons disintegrating as opposed to maintaining their shape. In-game, they are seen posed and intact as a gameplay mechanic utilized to aid in storytelling.