Large construct, as the eidolon‘s alignment
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 95 (10d10 + 40)
Speed 25 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +4
Proficiency Bonus +5 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 (+4) | 8 (-1) | 19 (+4) | 14 (+2) | 19 (+4) | 16 (+3) |
Saving Throws Wis +8
Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages the languages the eidolon knew in life
False Appearance. While the statue remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal statue.
Ghostly Inhabitant. The eidolon that enters the sacred statue remains inside it until the statue drops to 0 hit points, the eidolon uses a bonus action to move out of the statue, or the eidolon is turned or forced out by an effect such as the dispel evil and good spell. When the eidolon leaves the statue, it appears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the statue.
Inert. When not inhabited by an eidolon, the statue is an object.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The statue makes two slam attacks.
- Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 43 (6d12 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
- Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 60 ft./240 ft., one target. Hit: 37 (6d10 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A sacred statue is a large construct that resembles a humanoid figure made of stone, metal, or wood. It is usually found in temples, shrines, or other places of worship dedicated to a specific deity or power. A sacred statue is not a mere decoration, however. It is a vessel for an eidolon, a powerful spirit that can animate the statue and use it as a body. An eidolon can be the soul of a faithful follower, a divine messenger, or even an aspect of the deity itself. An eidolon can enter and leave a sacred statue at will, or be bound to it by a ritual or a curse. When an eidolon inhabits a sacred statue, the statue’s eyes glow with the eidolon’s alignment and personality. A sacred statue can speak the languages that the eidolon knew in life, and has access to the eidolon’s memories and knowledge.
COMBAT
A sacred statue is a formidable opponent in combat, as it combines the physical strength and durability of a construct with the intelligence and cunning of an eidolon. A sacred statue can use its fists to slam enemies with great force, or hurl rocks at them from a distance. A sacred statue is resistant to many types of damage, and immune to cold, necrotic, and poison damage, as well as several conditions that affect living creatures. A sacred statue can also benefit from the eidolon’s special abilities, such as spellcasting, divine intervention, or other supernatural powers.
A sacred statue has one weakness: if it is motionless at the start of combat, it can be mistaken for a normal statue by an observant enemy. A creature that succeeds on an Intelligence (Investigation) check can discern that the statue is not an object, and gain an advantage over it. Alternatively, a creature can use magic or holy power to force the eidolon out of the statue, rendering it inert.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A sacred statue can be found in any environment where there is a place of worship or reverence for a deity or power. A sacred statue can be located in a temple, shrine, altar, monument, graveyard, or even a natural feature such as a mountain, cave, or spring. A sacred statue can be part of a larger complex of statues, or stand alone as a solitary guardian. A sacred statue can be revered by the followers of the deity or power it represents, or feared by their enemies. A sacred statue can also be sought after by adventurers, scholars, or treasure hunters who are interested in its secrets, history, or value.
A sacred statue does not have a society of its own, but rather reflects the society of the eidolon that inhabits it. An eidolon can have different motives and goals for animating a sacred statue. Some eidolons may do so to protect their place of worship from intruders or desecrators. Some may do so to communicate with their followers or visitors. Some may do so to fulfill a mission or a prophecy. Some may do so to escape their fate in the afterlife. Some may do so for reasons unknown to anyone but themselves.
ECOLOGY
A sacred statue does not have an ecology of its own, but rather affects the ecology of its surroundings. A sacred statue can have positive or negative impacts on the environment and the creatures that live in it, depending on the nature and alignment of the eidolon that inhabits it. A sacred statue can create or destroy habitats, alter weather patterns, bless or curse crops and animals, heal or harm diseases and injuries, inspire or terrify emotions and behaviors, and more.
A sacred statue can also interact with other creatures in various ways. A sacred statue can be friendly or hostile to other creatures that share its alignment or faith. A sacred statue can be indifferent or curious to other creatures that are neutral or unfamiliar to it. A sacred statue can be antagonistic or merciful to other creatures that oppose its alignment or faith. A sacred statue can also form alliances or rivalries with other creatures that have similar or conflicting interests or agendas.
Examples of Sacred Statues in D&D Fantasy Genre
Sacred statues can have various effects and abilities in a fantasy context, depending on the source and nature of their power. Some sacred statues are animated by a spirit, such as an eidolon, a ghost, or a soul, that can inhabit the statue and use it as a body. Some sacred statues are enchanted by magic, such as a spell, a curse, or a ritual, that can grant the statue life and intelligence. Some sacred statues are empowered by faith, such as a prayer, a blessing, or a miracle, that can bestow the statue with divine grace and authority.
Some examples of sacred statues in a fantasy context are:
- The Sacred Statue of Bahamut from the Tyranny of Dragons adventure. It is a massive statue of the platinum dragon god Bahamut that stands in the Temple of Bahamut in the city of Elturel. The statue can be activated by a ritual that involves placing four dragon masks on its head. When activated, the statue emits a radiant light that can heal allies or harm enemies within 120 feet. The statue can also speak telepathically with anyone who touches it, offering guidance or warnings.
- The Sacred Statue of Torm from the Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus adventure. It is a colossal statue of the god of courage and self-sacrifice Torm that guards the entrance to the High Hall in Baldur’s Gate. The statue was originally made of stone, but was transformed into iron by a powerful spell cast by Zariel, the archdevil of Avernus. The statue can be restored to its original form by using a holy symbol of Torm or by casting a dispel magic spell of 9th level or higher on it. When restored, the statue can grant a blessing to anyone who kneels before it and prays to Torm.
- The Sacred Statue of Lolth from the Out of the Abyss adventure. It is a grotesque statue of the goddess of spiders and drow Lolth that looms over the city of Menzoberranzan in the Underdark. The statue is made of black iron and has eight legs, four arms, and two faces: one beautiful and one monstrous. The statue can be controlled by Lolth’s high priestess or by anyone who wears a special ring that bears Lolth’s symbol. The statue can move its limbs and head, shoot webs or fireballs from its hands or mouth, and emit a psychic scream that can stun or kill anyone who hears it.