A towering, silent sentinel carved from sun-bleached desert stone. It stands perfectly motionless among the dust of ancient ruins, indistinguishable from a decorative statue until its proximity is violated. A single, pulsing gem is set deep into its brow, casting a rhythmic, amber glow across its featureless face.
- Armor Class: 14 [5]
- Hit Dice: 10** (45 hp)
- Attacks: 1 × Strike (3d8)
- THAC0: 11 [+8] (Attacks as a 10 HD monster)
- Movement: 60’ (20’)
- Saving Throws: D6 W7 P8 B8 S10 (F10)
- Morale: 12
- Alignment: Neutral
- XP: 2,300
Special Abilities
- Construct Immunity: Immune to sleep, charm, and hold spells, as well as all forms of poison. Only magical weapons can damage its stone form.
- Deactivation Focal Point: The golem’s animation is tied to the glowing gem in its forehead. If a character manages to remove this gem—either through a precise called shot or a clever physical maneuver—the golem immediately loses its magical spark and becomes an inert statue.
Combat & Tactics
Anhurak architects designed these guardians to act as tireless sentinels for their most prestigious sites. They are typically programmed to remain motionless until a specific threshold is crossed or a protected object is disturbed. Once active, the golem strikes with relentless, mechanical precision, favoring direct, crushing blows that take advantage of its immense mass. It rarely pursues enemies beyond its designated patrol zone, reflecting the rigid, logical security protocols of its creators.
Habitat
These golems are primarily found within the ruins and buried structures of the Anhurak people. They are perfectly suited to dry, arid environments where their stone forms are preserved against erosion and moisture. They are most common in locations that required permanent, high-level security—such as historical repositories, vaults, or seats of power—remaining functional long after the biological inhabitants of the region have vanished.
Society
As a magical construct, the stone golem has no society of its own. It is a relic of Anhurak engineering, serving as a permanent extension of their ancient laws. It follows the last commands of its creators with absolute literalism, knowing neither fatigue nor mercy. It exists in a state of perpetual stasis until triggered, ignoring local wildlife and other constructs unless they interfere with its primary directive.
Ecology
The golem has no place in the natural food chain and requires no sustenance, sleep, or air. It is an artificial intersection of mineral and magic, sustained by the energy within its brow-gem. Over centuries, these golems often become part of the local geography as sand and dust accumulate in their joints. If destroyed, the stone body is mundane, but the forehead gem remains a significant prize for those who understand its function as a magical power source.
Featured In: Issue #0 – The Hollow Tower
The Anhurak Stone Golem originally appears as a formidable guardian in Issue #0 – The Hollow Tower. If you want to drop this ancient, puzzle-based terror into a fully realized, table-ready adventure, you can find the complete module available below.
