New Monsters: Esoteric Golems
PDF Link | D&D Beyond Links: Brass Golem, Crystal Golem, Weave Golem
Just like the golems from The Impermissicon, the golems we are previewing today from Legends of Prestige & Prowess are designed to accompany the official golem statistics for Clay, Flesh, Metal, Stone, and Snow Golems. These golems, made from brass, crystal, or threads of the Weave itself, offer the perfect variety for DMs hoping to diversify their games.
The first golem is made of Brass and associated with thunder damage. Most official golems, other than the Stone Golem, are associated with a particular damage type, which they are not only immune to but actually absorb the damage type as healing. Because of their associations with brass instruments and with steam engines, Brass Golems are thus associated with sound, pressure, and thunder. Many official golems, such as stone, metal, and clay golems, also have a special ability that they can use on a recharge to affect nearby foes with magic, and the Brass Golem is no exception. This golem can release the music that animates it as an enthralling, hypnotizing song. Steam- or engine-based brass golems suit artificers and technological enemies well, while music-based brass golems pair well with wicked bards and even fey.
The Crystal Golem is associated with radiant damage and the power of light, which emanates out from the translucent facets of the golem's gemstone body. These golems are animated by magical light, and like other golems, they can use that as a recharge ability to weaken or harm their foes. Crystal golems have two additional variant statblocks, giving DMs different options for how they want to golems to engage in combat. Crystal golems are elegant, majestic, and alien constructs, and as such they pair well with celestials, priesthoods, and diviners. Even enemies from the Far Realm, such as mind flayers, can fit in with a crystal golem bodyguard.
The final golem, the Weave Golem, is the most powerful golem available to DMs, and one of the most powerful monsters in general. It is the ultimate form of golemcrafting, made from pure magic itself. A weave golem is an extremely dangerous foe, especially when facing enemy spellcasters. A weave golem should only be used against very high-level characters, and it should be emphasized how otherworldly and impossible the creature's existence seems to be. These eldritch golems are well-suited to accompanying an archmage, master warlock, or any kind of truly ancient and godlike being. Villains keep them around for their ability to prevent dangerous magic.
These three golems, combined with the three golems from The Impermissicon and the five official golem stat blocks, form a group of eleven different golems spread across challenge ratings from as low as 4 to as high as 25. There is a golem for every non-physical damage type, and the variety of golems also means you can find a suitable golem to accompany almost any kind of enemy. We hope you enjoy playing with them!
PDF Link | D&D Beyond Links: Brass Golem, Crystal Golem, Weave Golem
