Clay Golem
- Size: Large
- Type: Construct
- Alignment: Unaligned
- AC: 14
- Initiative: +3 (13)
- HP: 123 (13d10 + 52)
- Speed: 30 ft
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 20 | +5 | +5 |
| Dex | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| Con | 18 | +4 | +4 |
| INT | 3 | -4 | -4 |
| Wis | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| CHA | 1 | -5 | -5 |
- Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing
- Immunities: Acid, Poison, Psychic; Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned
- Senses: Darkvision 60 ft.; Passive Perception 9
- Languages: Common plus one other language
- CR: 9 (XP 5,000; PB +4)
Traits
Acid Absorption. Whenever the golem is subjected to Acid damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a number of Hit Points equal to the Acid damage dealt.
Berserk. Whenever the golem starts its turn Bloodied, roll 1d6. On a 6, the golem goes berserk. On each of its turns while berserk, the golem attacks the nearest creature it can see. If no creature is near enough to move to and attack, the golem attacks an object. Once the golem goes berserk, it continues to be berserk until it is destroyed or it is no longer Bloodied.
Immutable Form. The golem can't shape-shift.
Magic Resistance. The golem has Advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Actions
Multiattack. The golem makes two Slam attacks, or it makes three Slam attacks if it used Hasten this turn.
Slam. Melee Attack Roll: +9 , reach 5 ft . Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) Bludgeoning damage plus 6 (1d12) Acid damage, and the target's Hit Point maximum decreases by an amount equal to the Acid damage taken.
Bonus Actions
Hasten (Recharge 5-6). The golem takes the Dash and Disengage actions.
Lore & Background
Clay golems are animated constructs created from clay and imbued with divine magic, representing one of the most sacred forms of golem construction. Unlike other golems that rely purely on arcane magic, clay golems are infused with divine essence, making them particularly resilient to magical attacks and giving them a spark of something approaching divine purpose. They are typically created by powerful clerics, paladins, or divine spellcasters to serve as guardians for temples, sacred sites, or holy relics.
The creation of a clay golem requires not only mastery of divine magic but also deep understanding of sacred rituals and divine favor. The clay used must be blessed and consecrated through elaborate ceremonies, often taking months or even years to properly prepare. Once animated, these golems possess an unwavering dedication to their purpose that borders on religious fervor, making them incorruptible guardians that cannot be bribed, threatened, or reasoned with.
Clay golems are often found in the service of good-aligned deities and their faithful, though they can serve any divine power whose priests possess the knowledge and resources to create them. Their divine nature makes them particularly effective against undead and fiends, as their very presence radiates holy energy that these creatures find uncomfortable or even painful.
Combat Tactics
Clay golems are relentless melee combatants that combine overwhelming physical strength with tactical intelligence and divine resilience. They prefer direct confrontation, using their slam attacks to deal devastating damage while their acid-infused strikes weaken enemies over time by reducing their maximum hit points. Their magic resistance makes them nearly immune to most spells, forcing opponents to rely on physical attacks or very powerful magic.
When the golem becomes bloodied, its berserk trait can activate, causing it to attack the nearest creature regardless of friend or foe. This unpredictability makes clay golems dangerous allies as well as enemies, requiring careful positioning and tactics from those who work alongside them. Their hasten ability allows them to close distance quickly and make additional attacks, making them surprisingly mobile for such large constructs.
Clay golems are particularly effective against spellcasters, as their magic resistance and immunity to many conditions make them nearly unstoppable once they close to melee range. They use their acid absorption trait strategically, positioning themselves to take advantage of acid-based attacks that would harm other creatures but actually heal them instead.
Encounter Ideas
The Temple Guardian: A clay golem protects a sacred site from desecration, challenging visitors to prove their worthiness through combat, puzzle-solving, or demonstration of faith.
The Divine Test: A powerful cleric has created a clay golem to test potential disciples, requiring them to either defeat it in combat or find a way to complete their mission without destroying the sacred construct.
The Broken Creator: The golem's creator has died or disappeared, leaving it to interpret increasingly vague or contradictory commands while still trying to fulfill its original purpose.
The Corrupted Guardian: Dark forces have found a way to influence the golem's behavior without breaking its divine programming, causing it to act in ways that serve evil while technically following its original instructions.
Environmental Effects
Sacred Ground: Areas protected by clay golems often become consecrated over time, creating zones where undead and fiends suffer penalties or cannot enter at all.
Divine Resonance: The golem's presence causes holy symbols to glow, blessed weapons to become more effective, and divine magic to function more powerfully in the immediate area.
Purifying Influence: Water sources near clay golem guardians become pure and holy, capable of removing diseases and curses from those who drink from them with proper reverence.
Structural Integrity: Buildings and structures protected by clay golems seem to resist decay and damage, remaining in perfect condition despite the passage of time.
Treasure
Divine Components: Materials used in the golem's creation retain holy properties, including blessed clay, consecrated oils, and sanctified metal components.
Sacred Relics: Items the golem was created to protect, often including religious artifacts, holy texts, and blessed weapons or armor.
Creator's Tools: Equipment used by the divine spellcaster who made the golem, including ritual implements, prayer books, and magical focuses attuned to divine magic.
Offerings: Tributes left by pilgrims and worshippers over the years, including coins, jewelry, and small magical items blessed by the golem's presence.
Plot Hooks
The Heretical Golem: A clay golem begins questioning its creator's teachings and seeks guidance from the heroes about the nature of faith and free will.
The Divine Schism: Two religious factions each claim ownership of a clay golem, and the construct is torn between conflicting interpretations of its divine purpose.
The Awakening: A clay golem develops true consciousness and must decide whether to continue serving its original purpose or forge its own path in the world.
The Broken Commandment: The golem's programming forces it to commit acts that conflict with its divine nature, creating internal contradictions that threaten to drive it insane or cause it to self-destruct.