Animalian Golems A Monster Supplement for 5th Edition Sample file by Toby Lowther DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries. All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast. ©2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK. Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. ANIMALIAN GOLEMS 1 Animalian Golems mong the ranks of arcane servants known as If determining the type of golem for a given Manual of "golems" are counted a handful which, rather Golems randomly, and you wish to include animalian golems than being crafted in humanoid form, take the in the selection, roll 2d20 instead of 1d20. forms of animals. Including golems modelled after horses, dogs, and birds, the animalian 2d20 Golem Time Cost golems are created as much for the company 2–6 Clay 30 days 65,000 gp they offer or the utility they provide as for the A 7–18 Flesh 60 days 50,000 gp simple guardianship offered by their humanoid bretherin. This supplement includes general guidelines concerning 19 Iron 120 days 100,000 gp animalian golems, the costs in time and fortune to construct 20–21 Stone 90 days 80,000 gp such golems, and stat blocks for a range of animalian golems to serve as allies or enemies. 22–28 Equine 100 days 90,000 gp 29–35 Canine 45 days 60,000 gp General Guidelines 36 Feline 100 days 95,000 gp Exactly how animalian golems function in your setting is at 37-39 Avian 30 days 50,000 gp the discretion of the DM. This section contains some general 40 Giant Avian 120 days 100,000 gp guidelines on role-playing and ruling for the animalian golems included later in this chapter. Animalian golems cannot normally be bought per se, and require an extensive magical ritual to transfer ownership Animalian Behaviours should such a transaction occur. If an animalian golem is to Animalian golems exhibit some of the natural patterns of be gifted, it is usually in return for a favour or service, or as a their animal form, usually programmed in as part of their reward, rather than in exchange for money. construction. However, the lack of any need to eat, sleep, or reproduce does have a substantial influence on altering their basic instincts. Generally, animalian golems will act in a way reminiscent of the mannerisms of its form - a canine golem may chase a stick if thrown, for example. Golem Companions If an individual creates an animalian golem, or else acquire such a golem by having its ownership passed to them by a magical ritual, that golem will obey any spoken comanSampled given file by the individual to the best of their ability. Animalian golems act on their own initiative. They will obey any direct command from their owner, and in absence of such a command, they will act in a manner befitting both their natural animalian form and their magical allegiance to their controller (unless they enter a beserk state). Golem Mounts The equine golem is the prototypical golem mount. Golem mounts can travel longer in a day, because they do not need rest, and a rider on a golem mount will never need to change horses to travel quickly. Generally, a golem mount can cover 6 more miles per day for any given pace than normal travel speeds. Because this represents the mount's unwavering stride rather than any increase in pacing, this effect is only substantial across a day or more of travel. Constructing the Golems It is at the DM's discretion whether animalian golems can be constructed by the players. If they can be, the rules for construction are as given for the Manual of Golems in the Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG p.180-1). Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. 2 Avian Golem Animalian Golems The smallest of the golems, avian golems are modelled on Forged from humble materials into the likeness of the beasts moderately sized birds - ravens, hawks and eagles. They are that roam the natural world - horses, dogs, cats, birds - almost invariably built of a magically-enhanced alloy of iron to animalian golems exhibit the tirelessness and power of their allow smooth movement in flight, and they are held aloft by humanoid cousins. magical enchantment. To create an animalian golem, one requires a manual of An avian golem suffers a conflict between its spirit of golems, which details the process of creating such a creature. elemental earth and its bodily form suspended in the air, Elemental Spirit in Animal Form. The construction of a which when disrupted by damage causes it to enter a blind golem brings a spirit of elemental earth into a rough-hewn, and destructive rage, only ceasing when destroyed, animalian form that has been imbuned with a semblance of completely repaired, or brought into contact with the earth. its natural bretherin's nature. These conflicting sparks of life gradually merge together to form a single, mostly cohesive entity with something of the Giant Avian Golem sturdy method of elemental earth and something of the Among the most majestic of the animalian golems, the giant mannerisms of its animal being. avian golem is modelled after the likeness of the giant eagle, Erratic Obedience. The more an animalian golem is made and forged from a very light alloy of steel and a small portion like its natural counterpart, the less it is prone to simply obey of adamantine. Like their smaller counterparts, giant avian commands. The most obedient are equine golems, which golems are magically enchanted to fly, although they still beat tend to serve as simple vehicles, while the least are the feline their wings after the instincts of their bodily form. golems, which have something of the whileliness of the cats Giant avian golems suffer from the air madness of their they resemble. smaller counterparts, often giving off mournful wails from All animalian golems will obey a direct command from their spirit of elemental earth at being forever seperated from their creator, but where a humanoid golem may simply await the ground below. Serious damage can cause the golem to its next command, animalian golems are prone to reverting to rage against the creator who seperated its spirit from the their animal instincts in times of passivity. earth and against any creature it can see, a rage which lasts Constructed Nature. A golem doesn't require air, food, until it is destroyed, completely repaired, or brought into drink, or sleep. contact with the earth it belongs to. Equine Golem A golem usually forged of iron or clay, this creature is crafted to resemble a horse, though it often stands up to a foot taller than a normal horse, with broadened shoulders to pull even the heaviest loads. An equine golem strides with a steady, ponderous gait that has something of a stiffness as its joints grate together. Imbued with the docile nature and obediance of a well- trained draft horse, the equine golem is the most subsSampleervient file of the animalian golems. Canine Golem One of the most common of the animalian golems, such as any of these are common, the canine golem is forged of iron, clay or stone in the shape of a hound. Surprisingly quick for a golem, the canine golem runs with a loping gait. Imbued with something of the friendliness of a dog, the canine golem seems to recognise its owner and act in a friendly manner toward them, greeting them at the door. Some will even chase a stick that is thrown. Feline Golem The swiftest of the golems that travel by foot, the feline golem is crafted from iron, clay, stone, or sometimes even wood, into the shape of a large cat - typically a mountain lion. Feline cats are often built sleeker and thinner than their beast counterparts. The most disobedient of the animalian golems, feline golems are imbued with the independent spirit and wanderlust of the cats they mirror, often wandering about freely unless instructed by their owner to stay. Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. 3 Avian Golem Equine Golem Large construct, unaligned Canine Golem Armor Class 14 (natural armor) Medium construct, unaligned Hit Points 117 (14d10 + 40) Speed 40 ft. Armor Class 12 (natural armor) Hit Points 102 (12d8 + 48) Speed 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 18 (+4) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 1 (-5) STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Damage Immunities poison, psychic; bludgeoning, 19 (+4) 9 (-1) 18 (+4) 3 (-4) 11 (+0) 3 (-4) piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons that aren't adamantine Skills Perception +3, Stealth +2 Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, Damage Immunities poison, psychic; bludgeoning, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 weapons that aren't adamantine Languages understands the languages of its creator Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, but can't speak frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned Challenge 10 (5,900 XP) Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13 Languages understands the languages of its creator Immutable Form.