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Iron golems were constructs made entirely out of iron.

Description[]

These constructs were generally made with a bipedal, humanoid shape,[6] but stylized to suit their creator. Though they typically were built to resemble some form of armor. The features of their comparatively smoother than that of a stone golem.[4]

The average iron golem was about 12 ft (3.7 m) tall and weighed 5,000 lb (2,300,000 g).[1]

Behavior[]

Iron golems were always dutifully obedient to whoever constructed them. When left in a room with no activity going on they would move into a dormant state, standing still.[6]

Ability[]

Like any golem, these constructs possessed an immunity to magic and could not be harmed by normal weaponry. Only weapons with an enchantment of +3 or greater and magical lightning was known to be capable of harming them. However, their bodies of were particularly vulnerable to rust monsters.[4][6]

The strength of these constructs was three times that of any flesh golem.[6] Due to the use of the spell cloudkill in their construction, iron golems were known to be capable of breathing out clouds of poisonous gas.[3][4][6]

Combat[]

Much like a stone golem, these constructs relied heavily on their brute strength when fighting. However, unlike them an iron golem was known to wield swords, occasionally even enchanted ones, that were part of its construction.[4]

Ecology[]

Like any construct, iron golems could be found anywhere across the Realms regardless of climate or terrain.[4]

Creation[]

In older ages the combined cost of spell components and the 5,000 lb (2,300,000 g) of iron needed to construct an iron golem was around 80,000 gp. An ornate sword was also required — if the sword was magical, there was half a chance that its magic would be drained as the golem was animated. The construction process took about three months and forging of their body needed to be done by a smith skilled in working iron.[4]

Construction of these constructs could only be undertaken by magic-users of an 18th level or higher and required use of the spells cloudkill, geas, polymorph any object, and wish.[4][6] These spells could be cast by the user themselves or by means of an enchanted item, such as a scroll or wand.[4]

Alternatively, the construction of an iron golem could be undertaken by any individual that owned a manual of golems[7] or the Tome of the Unicorn.[8]

Usages[]

Iron golems were typically used to guard locations or valuable items.[4]

Iron golems, called the dwarven statue golems, were used by inhabitants of the Dwarven Dungeons in Myth Drannor before its fall. In 1369 DR their magic was still strong and the constructs could be found still guarding the areas assigned to them hundreds of years prior.[9]

Iron golems were not only used by mortals; the gnome god Flandal Steelskin also sent them to the Material Plane to do his bidding.[10]

Notable Iron Golems[]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Adventures

Novels & Short Stories

Comics

Video Games

Board Games

Card Games

Organized Play & Licensed Adventures

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 167, 170. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  2. Rob Heinsoo, Stephen Schubert (May 19, 2009). Monster Manual 2 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 134. ISBN 0786995101.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 136. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 David "Zeb" Cook et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume One. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 0-8803-8738-6.
  5. Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 166. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 48. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  7. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 180. ISBN 978-0786965622.
  8. Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book Three: Erlkazar & Folk of Intrigue”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 10. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
  9. Stormfront Studios (2001). Designed by Mark Buchignani, Ken Eklund, Sarah W. Stocker. Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor. Ubisoft Entertainment.
  10. Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 11. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
  11. Tom Prusa (1993). The Shining South. (TSR, Inc), pp. 37, 93. ISBN 1-56076-595-X.
  12. Ludia (May 2019). Designed by Stephen David Wark, et al. Warriors of Waterdeep. Ludia.
  13. Carl Buehler (August 1991). “The Jade Monkey”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #62 (TSR, Inc.), p. 11.

Connections[]

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