Golem [Ravenloft]

This construct fuses sorcery and machinery, a design that first took shape in a lunatic's imagination. Sizes vary, but most are roughly human in outline, and nearly all have a melee weapon fixed to one arm. It moves amid whirring, ticking and clanking, now and then venting a hiss and a puff of steam. It may look cobbled together from scrap, yet it runs smoothly and kills efficiently.

The built-in weapon usually deals 4d10 damage, although some golems hit harder or softer. On a natural 20 the weapon also discharges a jolt of electricity for 6 more damage, or 3 on a save vs. spell, and the victim must save vs. paralysis or be left helpless for 2d4 rounds as the current locks its muscles. The same shock strikes anyone who rolls a natural 20 while who strikes at the golem using metal, harmful or not, with the same paralysis save.

Every second round it can switch on a lightning aura that lashes everyone within 20 feet with small bolts for 3d6, halved by a save vs. breath weapon; the aura causes no paralysis. Exposed items on anyone it strikes are destroyed unless they save vs. lightning.

A lich-king devised these from secrets learned while serving a vampire lord. They resemble flesh golems, but they are built from decaying body parts and the stink of death follows them everywhere. Where a flesh golem roars in battle, a zombie golem makes no sound at all, moving slowly and mindlessly and fighting with the sluggishness of the undead it was made from.

It swings two fists per round for 3d6 each. Being so slow, it automatically acts last every round without rolling initiative, and it can never surprise anyone. Its stench forces a save vs. poison on anyone coming within 30 feet; failure leaves them wracked with nausea, suffering -2 on attack rolls and saves while in range. Those who save are fine unless they leave the area and come back, which demands a new save.

Most spells have no effect on it. Resurrection destroys it instantly, while animate dead heals it fully, as if it were curative magic.