Golem

The statistics block below contains details for more than one shape, size, or type of golem. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.

Brass Golem • Dragonflesh Golem • Stained Glass Golem

Golems are magically created constructs of great power. Constructing one involves the use of mighty magic and elemental forces. The animating force for a golem is a spirit from the Elemental Plane of Earth. The process of creation binds the unwilling spirit to the artificial body and subjects it to the will of the golem’s creator.

Golems have no language of their own, but they can understand simple instructions from their creators.

Combat

Golems are tenacious in combat. Since they are mindless, they can do nothing in the absence of orders from their creators. They always follow instructions explicitly and are incapable of any strategy or tactics. They are emotionless in combat and cannot be provoked.

If a golem’s creator is within 60 feet of it and both visible and audible to it, he or she can command the creature directly. An uncommanded golem usually follows its last instruction to the best of its ability, though it returns any attacks made against it. The creator can give the golem a simple program (such as “Remain in an area and attack all creatures [or creatures of a specific type] that enter,” or “Ring a gong and attack,” or the like) to govern its actions in his or her absence.

Since golems do not need to breathe and are immune to most forms of energy, they can press an attack against an opponent almost anywhere, from the bottom of the sea to the frigid top of the tallest mountain.

Construction

The cost given for each golem includes the price of the physical body, plus all the materials and spell components that are consumed during the process or become a permanent part of the golem.

The first task is carving or assembling the golem’s physical body. The creator can do this personally or hire someone else to do the job. The builder must have the requisite skill, which varies with the golem. The real work of creation involves extended magical rituals requiring two months to complete. Understanding the rituals requires a character of the appropriate level with the Craft Construct feat. The creator must labor for at least 8 hours each day in a specially prepared laboratory or workroom. This chamber is similar to an alchemist’s laboratory and costs 500 gp to establish.

When not working on the rituals, the creator must rest and can perform no other activities except eating, sleeping, or talking. If personally constructing the golem’s body, the creator can perform the building and the rituals together. Missing a day of rituals means the process fails and must be started again. Any money spent is lost, but XP are not. The golem’s body can be reused, as can the laboratory.

Completing the ritual drains the appropriate XP from the creator and requires casting any spells on the final day. The creator must cast the spells personally, but they can come from outside sources, such as scrolls.

Brass Golem ⬆️

A brass golem exists to fulfill one goal, set at the time of its creation. It waits with absolute patience until activated, then it becomes a terrible instrument of destruction. If its goal becomes unattainable—for example, if it was created to guard a temple that no longer exists—the brass golem loses its enchantment entirely and becomes nothing more than a statue.

A brass golem is most often forged to resemble a minotaur. Until activated, it appears as a large, brass statue armed with a gleaming greataxe.

Combat

A brass golem fights primarily with its greataxe.

Maze (Sp): Once per day, a brass golem can target a maze effect (caster level 16th) against a single quarry. The golem is immune to the effects of its own maze ability and that of others of its kind, and it can freely enter its own maze to track a target.

Magic Immunity (Ex): A brass golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. Certain spells and effects function differently against the creature as follows. An electricity effect slows it (as the slow spell) for 3 rounds, with no saving throw. A fire effect breaks any slow effect on the golem and cures 1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage it would otherwise deal. (For example, a brass golem hit by a fireball cast by a 5th-level wizard gains back 6 hit points if the damage total is 18.) The golem does not get a saving throw against fire effects.

Skills: A brass golem is a relentless tracker. It gains a +20 competence bonus on Survival checks for the purpose of tracking a foe designated by its creator, or in connection with any other goal set by its creator. When tracking a foe through its own maze, the creature gains a +20 insight bonus on Survival checks.

Construction

A brass golem’s body is constructed from 1,000 pounds of brass. Assembling the body requires one successful Craft (armorsmithing) check (DC 25) and one successful Craft (weaponsmithing) check (DC 25).

Prerequisites: Craft Construct, geas/quest, limited wish, maze, mage’s sword, polymorph any object.

Cost to Create: 33,820 gp (includes +3 wounding greataxe), 2,247 XP, 90 days.

Dragonflesh Golem ⬆️

Dragonflesh golems, sometimes called drolems, are built from parts of dragons. These creatures can remember more complex commands than most golems can, but because they cannot think, they obey commands to the letter rather than evaluating the intent. Drolems have been known to kill their creators because a complex or incautiously worded command allowed such an option for fulfillment.

True dragons hate dragonflesh golems and attack them on sight. Once a dragon has slain a drolem, it hunts down the creator as well, to exact retribution for the atrocities committed against dragonkind in creating such a creature.

The dragonflesh golem is a hideous patchwork of rotting, mismatched dragon parts rudely stitched together. Despite its appearance, a dragonflesh golem is a construct, not an undead.

Combat

A drolem lacks the breath weapons and the spellcasting abilities of true dragons. It usually prefers to land in the midst of a group of opponents and lash out in all directions with its teeth, claws, wings, and tail.

Frightful Presence (Ex): When a drolem charges, attacks, or flies overhead, it inspires terror in all creatures within 30 feet that have fewer Hit Dice or levels than it has. Each potentially affected opponent must succeed at a Will save (DC 28) or become shaken for 5d6 rounds. A successful save leaves that opponent immune to that drolem’s frightful presence for 24 hours.

Magic Immunity (Ex): A dragonflesh golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. Certain spells and effects function differently against the creature as follows. Fire- and cold-based effects slow the monster (as the slow spell) for 2d6 rounds, with no saving throw. An electricity effect breaks any slow effect on the drolem and cures 1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage it would otherwise deal. For example, a drolem hit by a lightning bolt cast by a 5th-level wizard gains back 6 hit points if the damage total is 18. The drolem does not get a saving throw against electricity effects.

Construction

A drolem’s body is constructed from either an entire dragon corpse, or enough parts of dragon corpses to assemble a whole dragon. Assembling the body requires one successful Knowledge (nature) check and one successful Heal check (both DC 25).

Prerequisites: Craft Construct, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object.

Cost to Create: 92,500 gp, 6,800 XP, 175 days.

Stained Glass Golem ⬆️

Beautiful stained glass windows not only indicate the wealth of a temple or stronghold, they may also be the site’s guardians. These beautiful constructs are built to harmonize with a structure’s decor so that their presence is not obvious to any except intruders.

Stained glass golems are flat, two-dimensional replicas of living beings. When they move, they produce a tinkling sound like that made by delicate crystal wind chimes. When moving through a lighted area, they flash and flicker as the light striking them breaks down into its component hues. Stained glass golems never communicate in any way.

Combat

Stained glass golems attack by slashing with their “arms,” which are as sharp as broken glass.

Keen (Su): A stained glass golem’s rake attack threatens a critical hit on a natural attack roll of 19–20.

Magic Immunity (Ex): A brass golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance, except as follows. A shatter spell affects it normally. A mending spell heals 2d6 points of damage the golem has taken. Sonic attacks affect it normally.

Skills: A stained glass golem receives a +20 competence bonus on Hide checks when standing motionless in a window frame.

Construction

A stained glass golem’s body is constructed from 50 pounds of glass shards. Assembling the body requires a successful Craft (glassmaking) check (DC 25).

Prerequisites: Craft Construct, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object.

Cost to Create: 15,000 gp, 1,080 XP, 28 days.

Source: Monster Manual II, page 115. This creature’s statistics block has been updated to version 3.5 as given in the D&D® V.3.5 Accessory Update for Monster Manual II.