# Golem, Shadesteel >[!rimg]+ > ![[Placeholder2.png]] *This 7-foot-tall shadowy automaton is crafted from a matte black metal that seems to absorb light. A mist fills the hollow spaces between its skeletal frame, and its two long arms end in sharp metal claws. A dour, skull-shaped head surmounts its broad torso, but the construct has no neck to speak of. It moves slowly but silently, hovering slightly above the ground and disturbing nothing as it passes.* <div class="grid-container"><div class="MON">Shadesteel Golem</div> <div class="CR">CR 11 (12,800 XP)</div> <div class="SOU">Monster Manual 3</div> <div class="SYS">Dungeons & Dragons 3.5</div></div> N Medium Construct **Init** +3 **Senses** darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; **Perception** +0 #### defense **AC** 33, 13 touch, 30 flat-footed (+3 Dex, +20 natural) **hp** 119 (18d10+20) **Fort** +6, **Refl** +9, **Will** +6 **Feint** —, **Demoralize** — **Defensive Abilities** shadow blend **DR** 10/adamantine and magic **Immune** construct traits, magic #### offense **Speed** 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (perfect) **Melee** 2 slams +25 (2d6+7) **Space** 5 ft., **Reach** 5 ft. **Special Attacks** negative pulse wave #### statistics **Str** 24, **Dex** 16, **Con** —, **Int** —, **Wis** 11, **Cha** 7 **BAB** +18, **CMB** +25, **CMD** 38, **TA** +25, **RTA** +21 **Skills** Fly +11, Perception +0, Stealth +15 **Racial Modifiers** Stealth +12 #### special abilities ### Immunity to Magic (Ex) A shadesteel golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against a shadesteel golem, as noted below. * A spell with the light descriptor hastens the golem (as if by the _haste_ spell) for 2d4 rounds. * A positive energy effect, such as a cure spell or a cleric's channel energy ability, hastens the golem (as if by the _haste_ spell) for 2d4 rounds. * When a shadesteel golem is targeted by or within the area of a spell with the darkness or shadow descriptor, the golem is healed of 1 point of damage per level of the spell. ### Negative Pulse Wave (Su) The shadesteel golem can radiate a burst of inky black negative energy as a free action every 1d4+1 rounds. The pulse wave drains life from all living creatures within 40 feet of the golem, dealing 12d6 points of negative energy damage. A DC 19 Will save halves the damage; the save DC is Constitution-based. A _death ward_ spell or similar effect protects a creature from a shadesteel golem's negative pulse wave. Undead creatures in the area gain 3d6 hit points, and have adverse conditions removed as if affected by a _harm_ spell. ### Shadow Blend (Su) In any condition of illumination other than bright light, a shadesteel golem can disappear into the shadows, giving it concealment. #### tactics A shadesteel golem is mindless and follows whatever orders its master gives it. A golem’s creator can command it if the golem is within 60 feet and can see and hear her. If uncommanded, the golem usually follows its last instruction to the best of its ability, though the golem always returns attacks made against it. The creator can give the golem a simple command to govern its actions in her absence, such as “Attack any living creature that enters this room.” Like most constructs, it fights to the death unless commanded to retreat. #### ecology **Terrain** Any (Plane of Shadow) **Organization** Solitary or team (1 plus 2d4 greater shadows) **Treasure** None **Advancement** 19–26 HD (Medium); 27–40 (Large); 41–54 HD (Huge) Crafted from metal mined and forged entirely on the Plane of Shadow, shadesteel golems are silent and powerful guardians. Necromancers, liches, and vampires create these planar golems to defend their crypts from clerics or paladins unlikely to be hampered by undead minions. Those seeing a shadesteel golem often mistakenly identify it as undead, since it has a dark shadowy appearance and moves as quietly as a wraith. Unlike most constructs, a shadesteel golem is very stealthy, capable of blending into even the faintest of shadows. Their creators use them as hidden guardians in conjunction with more obvious deterrents, such as iron golems or zombies. A shadesteel golem stands 7 feet tall and weighs about 1,500 pounds, though it usually floats with such ease that it appears to be almost weightless. ### Construction A shadesteel golem must be created entirely on the Plane of Shadow, using 1,500 pounds of steel tempered with rare shadow-liquids. This shadow-tempered steel costs 10,000 gp to create. The creator must then make a DC 30 Craft (armorsmithing) check to forge the golem’s body. CL 17th; [[Craft Construct]], _energy drain_, _geas/quest_, _limited wish_, _polymorph any object_, _shades_, caster must be at least 17th level; Price 130,000 gp; Cost 70,000 gp