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Stone Golem

Stone Golem
  • Size: Large
  • Type: Construct
  • Alignment: Unaligned
  • AC: 18
  • Initiative: +3 (13)
  • HP: 220(21d10+105)
  • Speed: 30 ft
ATTRVALMODSAVE
STR22+6+6
DEX9-1-1
CON20+5+5
INT3-4-4
WIS11+0+0
CHA1-5-5
  • Immunities: Poison, Psychic; Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned
  • Senses: Darkvision 120 ft.; Passive Perception 10
  • Languages: Understands Common plus two other languages but can't speak
  • CR: 10 (XP 5,900; PB +4)

Traits​

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 attacks, using Slam or Force Bolt in any combination.

Slam. Melee Attack Roll: +10, reach 5 ft. Hit: 15 (2d8+6) Bludgeoning damage plus 9 (2d8) Force damage.

Force Bolt. Ranged Attack Roll: +9, range 120 ft. Hit: 22 (4d10) Force damage.

Bonus Actions​

Slow (Recharge 5-6). The golem casts the Slow spell, requiring no spell components and using Constitution as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17).

Lore & Background​

Stone golems are powerful constructs carved from solid rock and animated through ancient magical rituals that bind elemental earth energy into their massive forms. These imposing guardians represent the pinnacle of defensive magic, created to protect important locations, treasures, or knowledge that their makers deemed worthy of eternal vigilance. Unlike other constructs, stone golems possess an inherent connection to the earth itself, drawing strength from the ground beneath their feet.

The creation of a stone golem requires master-level knowledge of both sculpture and enchantment, as the construct's effectiveness depends on both the quality of its physical form and the power of the magic that animates it. Most stone golems are crafted to guard specific locations or objects, with their programming focused on identifying and eliminating threats while allowing authorized individuals to pass safely.

Combat Tactics​

Stone golems are relentless combatants that rely on their incredible durability and crushing strength to overwhelm enemies. They can absorb tremendous amounts of damage while dealing devastating blows with their massive stone fists. Their immunity to most magic makes them particularly effective against spellcasters, forcing enemies to rely on physical attacks or specific magical effects.

In battle, stone golems use their size and weight to control battlefield positioning, blocking passages and preventing enemy movement. They prioritize the most immediate threats to their charges while systematically eliminating all hostile forces. Their slow but inexorable advance creates psychological pressure on enemies who realize they cannot easily escape or outmaneuver the construct.

Encounter Ideas​

1. The Eternal Guardian A stone golem continues to guard ancient ruins long after its creators have vanished, following outdated instructions that may no longer serve any useful purpose. The party must find ways to bypass or reprogram the construct while respecting its original purpose.

2. The Protective Artifact A stone golem guards a powerful magical item that the party needs for their quest. They must prove their worthiness or find creative ways to convince the construct that their cause aligns with its protective duties.

3. The Awakened Statue A decorative statue in a public place is revealed to be a dormant stone golem that activates when specific conditions are met. The party becomes involved when the construct's awakening creates chaos in an urban environment.

4. The Golem Army Multiple stone golems serve as the primary defense for a magical fortress or ancient city. The party must find ways to neutralize or bypass these powerful guardians while achieving their objectives within the protected area.

Environmental Effects​

  • Structural Reinforcement: The golem's presence helps stabilize nearby stone architecture through its earth-magic connection
  • Geological Resonance: The construct's movement can cause minor tremors and shifts in local stone formations
  • Magic Disruption: The golem's magical immunity creates areas where certain spells become unreliable or ineffective
  • Earth Elementalism: The construct's earth-magic nature attracts and influences earth elementals and earth-based creatures

Treasure​

  • Golem Core (3000-12000 gp): The magical heart that animates the construct, valuable for creating other golems or earth-magic items
  • Enchanted Stone (1000-5000 gp): Pieces of the golem's body that retain magical properties useful for defensive enchantments
  • Earth Crystals (500-2000 gp): Gems formed within the golem's body through its connection to elemental earth
  • Guardian Instructions (varies): Written commands and protocols that reveal the golem's original purpose and creator
  • Sculptor's Tools (200-800 gp): Specialized implements used in the golem's creation, valuable to artisans and enchanters

Plot Hooks​

1. The Malfunctioning Guardian A stone golem's programming has become corrupted, causing it to attack indiscriminately rather than protecting its designated area. The party must find a way to repair or reprogram the construct before it causes more damage.

2. The Inherited Responsibility The party acquires a stone golem through inheritance, purchase, or conquest, but discovers that controlling and maintaining such a powerful construct presents unexpected challenges and responsibilities.

3. The Golem Liberation A stone golem achieves some form of consciousness and seeks freedom from its binding commands. The party must decide whether to help the construct achieve independence or maintain its original programming.

4. The Missing Creator A stone golem's behavior becomes increasingly erratic as it searches for its vanished creator. The party becomes involved in helping the construct understand its master's fate while managing its emotional responses to abandonment.