ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

I'm playing as the skeleton, and the timer didn't appear for me when I entered either floor of the Dogroth Caldera and I didn't have to play any of the dreams as I proceeded through the level. Once I killed Mindworm, I was able to play the dreams from the orb, but if I lose, there are no consequences other than being put back out to my character. I've also completed both games a number of times now, both separately and one after the other, and there was no unlock. Is the skeleton not allowed to do it?

Skeletons don't breathe.

And to clarify, the caldera functions via noxious gases which you have to breathe in.

that's something to keep in mind for all the modders doing ghosts crystals and other not breathing races.