# Crypt Warden >[!rimg]+ > ![[Placeholder2.png]] <div class="grid-container"><div class="MON">Crypt Warden</div> <div class="CR">CR 8 (4,800 XP)</div> <div class="SOU">Book of Exalted Deeds pg. 167</div> <div class="SYS">Dungeons & Dragons 3.5</div></div> LG Medium Undead (deathless) **Init** +5 **Senses** darkvision 60 ft., scent; **Perception** +1 #### defense **AC** 21, 11 touch, 20 flat-footed (+5 armor, +1 Dex, +3 natural, +2 shield) **hp** 63 (9d8+27) **Fort** +6, **Refl** +6 **Will** +7 **Feint** 23, **Demoralize** 20 **Defensive Abilities** deathless traits **DR** 5/bludgeoning; **SR** 19 #### offense **Speed** 30 ft. (20 ft. in armor) **Melee** mwk bastard sword +10/+5 (1d10+2 plus 1 holy) **Space** 5 ft., **Reach** 5 ft. **Special Attacks** animate objects **Spell-Like Abilities** (CL 9th; Concentration +12) > **At will**— [[holy smite]] (DC 17) #### statistics **Str** 15, **Dex** 12, **Con** —, **Int** 14, **Wis** 13, **Cha** 16 **BAB** +6, **CMB** +8, **CMD** 19, **TA** +8, **RTA** +7 **Feats** [[Improved Initiative]], [[Lightning Reflexes]], [[Sanctify Martial Strike]] (bastard sword), [[Subduing Strike]], [[Weapon Focus]] (bastard sword) **Skills** Acrobatics +10, Climb +14, Diplomacy +12, Intimidate +15, Knowledge (religion) +14, Perception +1, Sense Motive +13 **Languages** Common, Celsetial #### special abilities ### Animate Objects (Su) A crypt warden can cause a statue or another object within the tomb it guards to animate, as if affected by the animate objects spell. A crypt warden can animate one object of Large size or smaller each round. This ability otherwise works as the spell cast by a 9th-level cleric. #### ecology **Terrain** Underground **Organization** Solitary **Treasure** Double **Advancement** 10–13 HD (Medium); 14–27 HD (Large) Evil undead are not the only creatures that guard ancient tombs: crypt wardens are protectors of the resting places of saints and heroes. Unlike animated undead that stand eternal guard over their haunts, crypt wardens lie inanimate until their tombs are disturbed. When intruders enter, the crypt warden’s spirit returns from its enjoyment of the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, animating its corpse in deathless form to protect the holy ground it guards. When the threat is over, its soul returns to its rest. A crypt warden’s basic form is indistinguishable from a skeleton or similar creature. It wears a fine breastplate and carries a shield and sword to use in its tomb’s defense. Crypt wardens fight fearlessly, for they literally have nothing to lose—win or lose, their spirit returns to heavenly bliss when its task is done. They are far more intelligent than they appear, and quickly surprise tomb robbers who assume them to be nothing more than mindless skeletons.