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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shade" data-source="post: 5146865" data-attributes="member: 287">The interior of the Temple is a gloomy sanctuary of evil, with dark marble columns and 12 stone golems in the shape of terrifying, serni-reptilian griffons with deep emerald eyes.The Dark: Serpent Griffon GolemsThe terrible golems of the Temple of the Abyss have slain hundreds of intruders, and the priests never clean the guard beasts’ claws, the better to warn off others. Unlike most golems, the serpent griffons actually devour their screaming victims whole, according t o shaken (but reliable) witnesses.The secret of the serpent griffons’ construction is known only to the high priest and the temple’s patrons, the Abyssal Lords. Most bashers figure it’s too gruesome to put into practice for any but the most depraved mages, so the dark of it isn’t sought after, despite the golems’ obvious powers.SERPENT GRIFFONS: AC: -1; MV 12, FI 18 (C); HD 15; THACO 5; #AT 3; Dmg ld10/ld10/2d20; SA mesmerize, shatter blades; 5D immune t o mental attacks; SZ H (19’taIl); ML fearless (20); Int semi (3); AL N; XP 12,000.Because their minds are purely magical constructs, the griffons are immune to mental attacks. In addition, their shimmering, scaly skin can destroy edged or pointed weapons: When any such weapon strikes a serpent griffon, it shatters unless it passes an item saving throw versus crushing blow (7 or better for metal). Blunt weapons are immune to this effect.In addition to their great daggerlike claws and ripping razorbeaks, the serpent griffons can mesmerize their prey with their deep, hypnotic stare. Any creature looking into the griffons’ eyes must survive a saving throw versus death magic or be completely paralyzed for a number of rounds equal to the number the saving throw missed by. During this time, the victim is totally immobile and is automatically hit by the serpent griffons’ attacks. (Thankfully, the beasts are too stupid to alter their attacks into automatically lethal blows against mesmerized targets.) .5ome say that the priests of the Temple of the Abyss created the serpent griffons with this enchantment to  ncourage the Temple’s visitors to be respectful; it certainly does keep all but the Clueless from staring and poking around in the corners of the temple.Originally appeared in In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil (1995).</blockquote>

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