In honor of the newly-discovered additions to China’s army of terracotta warriors, I give you this denizen of the Celestial Imperium of Suhfang in western Oerik (but suitable for any campaign setting, of course).
Terracotta Golem
|
Number
|
1
(or 20d10) |
|
Morale
|
n/a
|
|
Hit Dice
|
3d12
|
|
Armor Class
|
7
|
|
Move
|
90’/min.
|
|
Magic Resistance
|
D
|
|
No. of Attacks
|
1
|
|
Damage
|
Per
weapon type +2 |
|
Defenses
|
See
below |
|
Attacks
|
Fear 30’ radius
|
|
Weaknesses
|
Blunt weapons do maximum
damage |
|
Size
|
M
|
|
Intelligence
|
0
|
|
Alignment
|
Neutral
|
|
Treasure Type
|
None
|
|
Treasure Value
|
n/a
|
|
Magical Treasure
|
None
|
|
X.P. Value
|
205 + 5/h.p.
|
General: Terracotta golems are found in western Oerth,
specifically in the Celestial Imperium of Suhfang. They are classified as Greater
Golems. The secret of their construction has not made its way to other lands of
Oerth, although it is possible that some expatriate Suhfangese have brought the
art with them. Only mages who have learned the specific art of terracotta golem
construction can undertake the process. It is rumored that manuals of terracotta golem creation exist in Suhfang, but in their
absence, creation of a terracotta golem requires the following:
specifically in the Celestial Imperium of Suhfang. They are classified as Greater
Golems. The secret of their construction has not made its way to other lands of
Oerth, although it is possible that some expatriate Suhfangese have brought the
art with them. Only mages who have learned the specific art of terracotta golem
construction can undertake the process. It is rumored that manuals of terracotta golem creation exist in Suhfang, but in their
absence, creation of a terracotta golem requires the following:
- 10,000 g.p. for materials
- Casting a limited
wish spell - Casting a polymorph
any object spell - Casting a geas
spell - Casting a fear
spell
Terracotta golems are able to understand commands of limited
complexity and length, and will always obey the instructions of its creator. If
its creator is slain, it will obey the last instructions given to it. In
Suhfang, vast numbers of such golems are often used to protect the tombs of
emperors, and all are explicitly instructed to protect and serve the emperor.
Thus, if the dead emperor was brought back to life as an undead creature, such
golems would be compelled to obey him, even though he was not their direct
creator. They are sometimes created for more mundane duties, as any other
golem.
complexity and length, and will always obey the instructions of its creator. If
its creator is slain, it will obey the last instructions given to it. In
Suhfang, vast numbers of such golems are often used to protect the tombs of
emperors, and all are explicitly instructed to protect and serve the emperor.
Thus, if the dead emperor was brought back to life as an undead creature, such
golems would be compelled to obey him, even though he was not their direct
creator. They are sometimes created for more mundane duties, as any other
golem.
Combat: Terracotta golems attack with their weapons (which
can be of any type appropriate for a warrior), with an effective strength of 18
(giving them a bonus of +1 bonus “to hit” and a +2 bonus to damage). If unarmed, they do 2d6+2 h.p. of damage with their fists. All
radiate an aura of fear in a 30’ radius (which functions as per the spell). They are only harmed by enchanted
weapons, but if struck by a magical blunt weapon (such as a mace, club, etc.)
with a +2 or greater enchantment, the weapon will inflict maximum damage upon
the golem. As all golems, they are completely immune to mind-affecting magic
such as sleep, charm, hypnosis, etc.
Electrical, fire, and cold based attacks do them no harm.
can be of any type appropriate for a warrior), with an effective strength of 18
(giving them a bonus of +1 bonus “to hit” and a +2 bonus to damage). If unarmed, they do 2d6+2 h.p. of damage with their fists. All
radiate an aura of fear in a 30’ radius (which functions as per the spell). They are only harmed by enchanted
weapons, but if struck by a magical blunt weapon (such as a mace, club, etc.)
with a +2 or greater enchantment, the weapon will inflict maximum damage upon
the golem. As all golems, they are completely immune to mind-affecting magic
such as sleep, charm, hypnosis, etc.
Electrical, fire, and cold based attacks do them no harm.
Appearance: Terracotta golems are formed in the shape of
human warriors, painted in realistic colors. Despite this, there is no
mistaking them for actual living persons except at extreme range. Even those
found in great numbers will all possess individualized features and will vary
slightly in appearance, height, dress, skin tone, etc.
human warriors, painted in realistic colors. Despite this, there is no
mistaking them for actual living persons except at extreme range. Even those
found in great numbers will all possess individualized features and will vary
slightly in appearance, height, dress, skin tone, etc.
__________
This creature is hereby designated as Open Game Content under the Open Game License. Copyright © Joseph Bloch, all rights reserved.
Imaginative. I have an off the wall sort of question. Would a hammer of thunderbolts (with girdle and gauntlets) destroy one terracotta golem with a single blow as it does with some other golems?
I'd have made them a bit weaker. Terracotta is notoriously brittle and breaks easily.
I'd use the numbers of golems to make the difference (and be easier / cheaper to make as a consequence)
Awesome!
I wrote the soldiers up for a BPRD adventure I ran a few times using Cinematic Unisystem.
I did a cheapie version of the terra cotta warrior. One hit (either them getting hit or hitting someone else) and they fell apart. But, you can send a whole company of them after the characters, just to make it interesting.