# Golem, Gloom >[!rimg]+ > ![[Placeholder2.png]] *This misshapen ogrelike brute has taut flesh with a claylike texture. Howls of pain issue from a gaping black orifice where its face should be. Tormented visages press out from beneath its membranous skin, as though other creatures trapped inside it were clamoring for release.* <div class="grid-container"><div class="MON">Gloom Golem</div> <div class="CR">CR 7 (3,200 XP)</div> <div class="SOU">Monster Manual 3</div> <div class="SYS">Dungeons & Dragons 3.5</div></div> NE Large Construct (evil) **Init** +2 **Senses** darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; **Perception** +0 **Aura** crushing despair (30 ft., DC 16) #### defense **AC** 22, 11 touch, 20 flat-footed (+2 Dex, +11 natural, -1 size) **hp** 74 (8d10+30) **Fort** +2, **Refl** +4, **Will** +2 **Feint** —, **Demoralize** — **DR** 10/good **Immune** construct traits, magic #### offense **Speed** 30 ft. **Melee** spiked chain +11/+6 (2d6+6 plus 1d6 Cha drain) or 2 claws +11 (1d6+4 plus 1d6 Cha drain) **Space** 10 ft., **Reach** 10 ft. (20 ft. with spiked chain) **Special Attacks** touch of woe #### statistics **Str** 18, **Dex** 15, **Con** —, **Int** —, **Wis** 11, **Cha** 15 **BAB** +8, **CMB** +13 (+15 disarm, trip), **CMD** 25, **TA** +11, **RTA** +9 **Skills** Perception +0 #### special abilities ### Crushing Despair (Su) Creatures within 30 feet of a gloom golem who hear its incessant howl must succeed on a DC 16 Will save or take a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, ability checks, and weapon damage rolls. This is a sonic, mind-affecting, compulsion, emotion effect. The Save DC is Charisma-based. ### Immunity to Magic (Ex) A gloom golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against a mithral golem, as noted below. * A _calm emotions_ or _good hope_ spell staggers the gloom golem for 1d4 rounds (no save). * A targeted _silence_ spell cast on the golem suppresses its despair aura for 2d6 rounds, and applies a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, and saving throws (Will negates). ### Touch of Woe (Ex) A creature wounded by a gloom golem's melee attacks must succeed on a DC 16 Will save or take 1d6 points of Charisma drain. The save DC is Charisma-based. #### tactics A gloom golem attacks with its two claws, although it can wield weapons as well. Its preferred weapon is the spiked chain. When using a spiked chain, a gloom golem gains 10 feet on its reach and gets a +2 bonus on opposed attack rolls made to disarm an enemy (including the opposed attack roll to avoid being disarmed if such an attempt fails). It can also use the spiked chain to make trip attacks, dropping it to avoid being tripped if its own attempt to trip fails. #### ecology **Terrain** Any (Hades) **Organization** Solitary **Treasure** None **Advancement** 9–12 HD (Large); 13–16 HD (Huge) Creatures of pure malevolence and woe, gloom golems haunt the layers of Hades, thriving on the misery and despair they inflict on others. The feelings of woe they absorb from their fallen victims manifest as tormented visages pressing against the inside of their skin. However, gloom golems do not actually absorb the bodies of their prey. From a distance, a gloom golem could be mistaken for an ogre, although up close it lacks finer features. The gray substance that makes up its body comes from the three layers of Hades and carries a foul stench. A gloom golem stands 10 feet tall and weighs 950 pounds. Gloom golems howl incessantly but do not communicate. ### Construction A gloom golem’s body is crafted from a single block of clay taken from the banks of the River Styx as it flows through the Gray Wastes of Hades. The block weighs at least 1,000 pounds and costs 10,000 gp. Assembling the body requires both a DC 21 Craft (sculpting) check and a DC 21 Knowledge (planes) check. CL 11th; Craft Construct (see page 206), _crushing despair_, _limited wish_, _planar binding_, _polymorph any object_, caster must be evil and at least 11th level; Price 40,000 gp; Cost 25,000 gp.