Caravan Talisman Servant

A wizard of 15th level or more builds this hauler from carved stone, furniture, barding, harness, saddles, sacks, pouches, straps, hooks, knobs and spikes, to carry or pull up to 1,200 lbs. It needs only a head and four to eight stout clawed legs; the rest follows the maker's whims, so no talisman servant varies more in looks. A dragon-loving mage might use a dragon skull for the head, a big trunk as the body and a chain for the tail. Its talisman is usually a whistle, walking stick, riding crop or elephant goad.

Though built for burden rather than battle, it can protect master and cargo. On command it can wizard lock every trunk, drawer and saddlebag forming its body (only those). Tampering with them without the master's leave triggers its defenses.

With Strength 24 and enormous weight it pins, smashes or crushes foes for 1d10 per hit, or bites with the cutting power of a sword of sharpness for the same 1d10; a natural 19 or 20 severs a limb. Three times daily it can bellow, a voice once given so merchant-wizards could hail city guards; anyone, person or beast, untrained for battle must save vs. spell or be affected as by fear. It also stands as a steady barrier against arrows and forces open closed doors, gates and fences on a 7 in 8.

It is harmed only by +1 or better weapons and ignores mind-affecting magic such as charm, feeblemind and illusions. Masters named their servants to build a bond of recognition, so a thief who seizes the talisman without proper introduction may be ignored, defied or attacked; one story tells of a servant chasing a scoundrel across town and crushing him against the prison gates. Hearing its name spoken or facing destruction, it has a 50% chance to activate on its own, yawning and stamping before searching for its master, smashing through walls and doors on the way.

Unlike most constructs, caravan servants were known as amiable, loyal, tireless and steady, and towns welcomed them. In the glory of a proud magical empire of ages past they crowded markets, stables and trade roads. Working ones are rare today: tucked in lonely ruins, or still plodding some ancient route to carry a dead master's bones home.

It needs no food, drink or rest and barely affects its surroundings. An intact one carries cargo 85% of the time, which may be part of a dragon's treasure or simply a cart's worth of manure.