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Monster, Golem

Golems1

Golems are magically created automatons of great power. Constructing one involves the employment of mighty magic and elemental forces. The animating force for a golem is a spirit from the Earth. The process of creating the golem binds the unwilling spirit to the artificial body and subjects it to the will of the golem’s creator.

Combat

Golems are tenacious in combat and prodigiously strong as well. Being mindless, they do nothing without orders from their creators. They follow instructions explicitly and are incapable of any strategy or tactics. They are emotionless in combat and cannot be provoked.

A golem’s creator can command it if the golem is within 60 feet and can see and hear its creator. If uncommanded, a golem usually follows its last instruction to the best of its ability, though if attacked it returns the attack. The creator can give the golem a simple command to govern its actions in his or her absence. The golem’s creator can order the golem to obey the commands of another person (who might in turn place the golem under someone else’s control, and so on), but the golem’s creator can always resume control over his creation by commanding the golem to obey him alone.

Immunity to Magic (Ex) Golems have immunity to most magical and supernatural effects, except when otherwise noted.

Construction

Monster, Golem
Midjourney

The cost to create given for each golem includes the cost of the physical body and all the materials and spell components that are consumed or become a permanent part of the golem.

Creating a golem is essentially similar to creating any sort of magic item. However, a golem’s body includes costly material components that may require some extra preparation. The golem’s creator can assemble the body or hire someone else to do the job. The builder must have the appropriate skill, which varies with the golem variety.

Completing the golem’s creation drains the appropriate XP from the creator and requires casting any spells on the final day.

The creator must cast the spells personally, but they can come from outside sources, such as scrolls.

The characteristics of a golem that come from its nature as a magic item (caster level, prerequisite feats and spells, market price, cost to create) are given in summary form at the end of each golem’s description.

Note: The market price of an advanced golem (a golem with more Hit Dice than the typical golem described in each entry) is increased by 5,000 gp for each additional Hit Die, and increased by an additional 50,000 gp if the golem’s size increases. The XP cost for creating an advanced golem is equal to 1/25 the advanced golem’s market price minus the cost of the special materials required.

See Also Golem, Alchemical, Golem, Cannon, Golem  Clay, Golem Clockwork, Golem Copper, Golem Flesh (Frankstein’s Monster), Golem, Ice, Golem Iron, Golem Megalith, Golem Oak , Golem, Razorwire, Golem Stone, Golem, Wax, Golem, Wood

In Myth


The Golem is a creature of Jewish folklore and legend, originating from the traditions and stories of the Jewish community in Prague, Czech Republic. According to the myth, a Golem is a humanoid creature created from clay or other materials and brought to life through mystical means, usually by a skilled rabbi or a wise magician. The Golem is known for its immense strength and unwavering loyalty to its creator.

The most famous story associated with the Golem is that of the Golem of Prague. It is said that in times of great persecution and danger against the Jewish community, a rabbi named Judah Loew ben Bezalel, also known as the Maharal of Prague, created a Golem to protect the Jews from harm. Using ancient Hebrew letters and magical incantations, the rabbi sculpted a figure from clay and infused it with life.

The Golem of Prague was a towering and powerful creature, created to be a guardian and defender of the Jewish people. It obeyed its creator’s commands without question, protecting the community from any threat or harm that befell them. Its immense strength and size made it an awe-inspiring presence, instilling both fear and admiration.

However, the Golem’s power was not without its challenges. As time passed, the Golem became harder to control, and its actions grew increasingly unpredictable. Its strength became a liability, as it posed a threat to both friend and foe. Recognizing the need to safeguard the community, Rabbi Loew eventually deactivated the Golem, removing the sacred words that granted it life, and returned it to its inanimate state.

The story of the Golem serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of wielding great power without wisdom and responsibility. It also highlights the struggle between humanity’s desire for protection and the potential consequences of creating beings that exceed our control.

Over the years, the myth of the Golem has inspired numerous adaptations in literature, film, and games, including its incorporation into the Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder role-playing games. In these games, the Golem is often depicted as a powerful construct, created through magical rituals and used as a formidable guardian or servant by spellcasters and wizards.

Today, the Golem remains an iconic figure in folklore and fantasy, symbolizing both the potential and the perils of human creation and the complexities of the human desire for protection and power.

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