Helmed horror

A helmed horror was an animated construct formed from a suit of armor and often found as a guardian.

The most powerful type of helmed horror was the battle horror, also known as a shadowguard.

Description
A helmed horror was an empty suit of armor, with purple magical light flickering between the joints. They often carried a greatsword and a heavy crossbow.

Combat
Helmed horrors fought intelligently. They went after soft foes first and used their magic to outmaneuver foes.

Abilities
Helmed horrors could move through the air, as with the spell air walk. They could see unseen creatures and objects, as the spell see invisibility. They were immune to several spells. They could imbue a melee weapon that they held with a magical attack power.

History
Helmed horrors were over 5,000 years old. Both Netheril and Imaskar were known to have used helmed horrors.

Notable Uses
The Seat of Might in Myrinjar was guarded by several helmed horrors.

Battle horror shadowguards were employed to defend the "silent vaults" of Hlintar in the Vast in the mid–14 century DR.

In addition, the deities Deep Duerra, Flandal Steelskin, Gaerdal Ironhand, Gorm Gulthyn, Helm, and Laduguer made use of these constructs.

Creation
The process of creating helmed horrors was something of a closely kept secret for many years. While unknown to the magical community at large, a great number of clerics of Bane, liches, and evil wizards knew well how to create these constructs. In later times, it was uncommon knowledge. A powerful spellcaster, with knowledge of both construct creation and arms and armor creation was needed, and a special workroom, along with the spells needed for the ritual.

The spell of mailed might could be used to animate mundane sets of metal armor into versions of helmed horrors. When horror created via this spell died, they exploded in a burst of shrapnel, yet simply returned to unanimated state once the spell expired.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * The Ruins of Undermountain
 * Novels
 * The Temptation of Elminster
 * Video Games
 * Warriors of Waterdeep • Neverwinter Nights: Tyrants of the Moonsea