Runic Guardian

Runic guardians are constructs similar to shield guardians, but with far superior physical and magical capabilities. Runic guardians are especially popular among dwarves and giants, though spellcasters of all races find them useful.

A runic guardian is a massive, human-shaped figure made of stone, steel, and lead. Its hands and arms are constructed of hollow stone and filled with lead for a more deadly punch. Carved, magic runes inlaid with precious metals adorn its head, limbs and torso. Whenever a runic guardian casts a spell, these runes flare up into a variety of brilliant colors.

A runic guardian serves one master that is designated at the time of its creation, and no other. The construct is keyed to a specific, unique piece of jewelry (normally a ring or amulet) worn by its master and made at the time of its creation. The master can use this piece of jewelry to call the runic guardian to his or her side from any distance, or even from another plane. A runic guardian knows whether or not the bearer of its jewelry is really its master, and it slays any pretenders outright.

Combat

In battle, a runic guardian protects its master by casting predetermined defensive spells upon him or her, then pounding away at foes with its leaden fists. Runic guardians equipped with offensive spells use them only when directly commanded to do so. A runic guardian is instantly aware of its master’s death, whether or not it was present at the time. When the master’s death occurs, the construct immediately goes on a rampage, attacking all creatures within sight. Possession of its jewelry in such a circumstance gains the bearer neither control over the construct nor safety from its attacks. The runic guardian does not stop until destroyed.

Find Master (Su): No matter the distance, a runic guardian can find the piece of jewelry that connects it with its master, and it teleports to that spot when called. (Should the master call the construct and then remove the jewelry, the runic guardian finds only the jewelry upon its arrival.) This ability functions even across planar boundaries.

Greater Teleport (Sp): Once per day, a runic guardian can use greater teleport (caster level 18th). It normally uses this ability to answer a call from its master, teleporting unerringly to his or her side.

Guard (Ex): The runic guardian blocks blows, granting its master a +4 deflection bonus to AC. This power functions only when the runic guardian is within 5 feet of its master.

Runic Spells (Sp): A runic guardian can hold up to six spells. These spells must be cast into its body when it is created. One spell can be placed on the runic guardian’s head, one on each limb, and one on its torso. The table below gives the maximum level of spell that each of its body parts can hold. Alternatively, the entire guardian can accommodate a single inscribed spell of 6th or 7th level, but this covers its whole body.

Each of these spells is usable once per day as a spell-like ability. The runic guardian discharges a spell either when directly commanded to do so or when a predetermined situation arises.

Shield Master (Sp): A runic guardian’s master, when in possession of the keyed piece of jewelry, can activate this defensive ability when within 150 feet of the construct. Shield master transfers three-fourths of the damage that would otherwise be dealt to the master to the runic guardian instead. This ability otherwise functions like the shield other spell (caster level 25th), except that it provides no AC or saving throw bonuses.

Stunning Strike (Ex): Any creature hit by a runic guardian’s slam attack must make a successful Fortitude saving throw (DC 25) or be stunned for 1 round, in addition to taking the normal damage from the blow. Constructs, oozes, plants, undead, incorporeal creatures, and creatures immune to critical hits cannot be stunned.

Construction

Creating the body of a runic guardian requires a successful Profession (engineer) or Craft (sculpting) check (DC 20). The creation of the keyed jewelry item requires a successful Craft (metalworking) check (DC 15). This jewelry is always made of the same metals and other materials as the guardian’s runes.

A runic guardian with more than 17 Hit Dice can be created, but each additional Hit Die adds +5,000 gp to the market price, and the price increases by +20,000 gp if the creature’s size increases to Huge, modifying the time and cost to create accordingly.

Prerequisites: Craft Construct, limited wish, discern location, shield, shield other, plus any runic spells added; caster must be at least 16th level.

Cost to Create: Cost 97,500 gp (including 10,000 gp for the body), 6,600 XP, 175 days (plus 5 days per HD above 15, plus 20 days if Huge size).

Source: Monster Manual II, page 182. This creature’s statistics block has been updated to version 3.5 as given in the D&D® V.3.5 Accessory Update for Monster Manual II, which gave its damage as “2d8+78 plus stunning strike”. This is likely a typo; its Strength score should only give it 2d8+7. teleport without error changed to greater teleport. Borrowed some construction details from the shield guardian to complete the Construction section.