Shrine Stone, Animated (3pp)

This carved stone with sculpted appendages is decorated with glyphs of druidic and fey deities.

Animated Shrine Stone CR 7

XP 3,200
N Huge construct
Init -2; Senses Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception -5

DEFENSE

AC 16, touch 6, flat-footed 16 (-2 Dex, +10 natural, -2 size)
hp 78 (7d10+40)
Fort +2, Ref +0, Will -3
Defensive Abilities hardness 8; Immune construct traits

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft.
Melee 2 slams +15 (1d8+10)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks trample (1d8+15, DC 23)

STATISTICS

Str 30, Dex 6, Con -, Int -, Wis 1, Cha 1
Base Atk +7; CMB +19; CMD 27 (cannot be tripped)
SQ guard, magical center

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Magical Center (Su)

The animated shrine stone possesses a valuable jewel on some part of the construct’s body. This jewel must be worth at least 2,500 gp. The jewel serves as the magical center of the construct, allowing it to stay animated. Should the jewel be removed (Disable Device DC 25), the shrine stone holds its current stance. Returning the jewel to the shrine stone’s head reanimates the construct.

Guard (Su)

Whenever a creature comes within 60 ft. of the animated shrine stone’s guard post and the creature does not show the shrine stone the appropriate holy symbol, the construct activates and attacks the creature. To discover the required holy symbol, a creature must succeed a Knowledge (religion) check (DC 20). If the shrine stone has activated and is shown the holy symbol, it will return to its guard post. Drawing the holy symbol on the ground requires a standard action and is sufficient to pacify the shrine stone.

Ecology

Environment any
Organization solitary or moot (2-3 constructs)
Treasure ruby worth approximately 2,500gp

An animated shrine stone is an ancient guardian of druidic groves and powerful fey crossings. It protects a designated area against thieves, vandals and others who do not pay homage to the holy site. It usually stands away from the shrine itself but still close enough to maintain a watchful eye. The shrine stone never goes further than 60 ft. from its guard post.

When a fey or druid guards an area with animated shrine stones, they may lay several stones within that 60 ft. so the sacred place is well protected. A druid may disguise an animated shrine stone to appear as a common stone that is part of the shrine. Others have been known to carve common stones to appear similar to animated shrine stones to make the holy place appear protected by multiple guardians and confuse evildoers. While an animated shrine stone possesses no gold, it typically possesses a rare jewel on some part of its body. Rubies are frequently used but emeralds, diamonds, opals are not uncommon. This is done as both the center of the construct’s magical power as well as a way of finding the intruders. Since someone that is willing to desecrate a holy site is also willing to steal a jewel, the shrine stone’s creator can track the lost gem and find the vandal.

Animated shrine stones typically stand 12 ft. tall and weight about 18,000 pounds.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Book of Beasts: Monsters of the River Nations, copyright 2010 Jon Brazer Enterprises; Author Steven Helt.

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