Naâruk [Golem]

Priests of the winged bull-folk build the naâruk in their great temples in the shape of a winged bull about 10 feet tall. Most are cast in shining bronze, crafted with astonishing realism. Usually they stand motionless and pass for statues, but when active their eyes glow a soft green.

Like most golems a naâruk can carry out fairly detailed, step-by-step instructions but struggles with anything conditional. It has Strength 23 for breaking or pulling things, and only weapons of +2 or better can hit it. Gust of wind slows it for 1d4 rounds; every other spell is ignored.

With at least 60 feet of flying start, it can charge for double damage. It counts as a +2 weapon against creatures that only magic can hit.

These sacred constructs are kept for holy wars and normally stay out of fights, but they defend themselves when attacked and will attack anything that obstructs their mission. If need be it can free any or all of its riders to join the fight, and if destroyed it instantly releases them all. It can be healed only at its home temple, where each hit point repaired costs 100 gp of materials and the work requires a produce fire spell.

Its main purpose is moving troops quickly. In a special religious rite, up to 10 warriors or priests of the same faith can merge into the golem, as with the meld curse-born gift, and ride it as a long-range transport. The passengers stay unconscious and can be hurt only by whatever damages the naâruk. After setting them free at the destination, it flies back to its home temple.

Most temples of the bull-folk keep at least one as a guardian, and maintaining it is one of the clergy's duties. Novice priests spend endless hours polishing its bronze by hand, learning humility, patience and pride in work done well. Many believe the temple's spiritual health is mirrored in its naâruk: a gleaming, smooth-running golem means a sound temple, while tarnish or a hitch in its stride betrays corruption.

As a magical construct the naâruk has no role in nature. It never eats, drinks or sleeps, enduring until its bronze body is wrecked.

Only the bull-folk priesthood knows how to make one. The rite must take place in a consecrated temple and needs a head priest of at least 16th level with eight or more assistants of 8th level or higher, 40,000 gp in raw materials, and 20,000 gp of vestments, which are not used up.