Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
White Dwarf Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Nest
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions, OSR, & D&D Variants
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
EN Publishing
Twitter
BlueSky
Facebook
Instagram
EN World
BlueSky
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Twitch
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions, OSR, & D&D Variants
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
Gargoyles need to be redone.
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Shades of Eternity" data-source="post: 9807864" data-attributes="member: 10869"><p>These special dietary talks have amused me greatly. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f600.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" data-smilie="8"data-shortname=":D" /></p><p></p><h2>Relationships With Other Factions & Creatures</h2><p><em>How gargoyles fit into the social, political, and monstrous fabric of a typical fantasy world.</em></p><p></p><h3>Gargoyles & Civilized Factions</h3><h4>Churches, Temples, and Sacred Orders — “The Oldest Employers”</h4><p>Temples are simultaneously the greatest <strong>creators</strong>, <strong>caretakers</strong>, and sometimes <strong>victims</strong> of gargoyles.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Positive:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Many temples see gargoyles as <strong>divinely ordained protectors</strong>, sculpted to watch over holy sites.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Some Orders of Paladins ritualize the “Awakening of the Watcher,” where a new gargoyle is blessed and integrated into the temple’s defenses.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Clerics of Vigil, Light, Knowledge, or Protection domains often form <strong>pacts of mutual guardianship</strong> with gargoyle clans.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Negative:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Zealous or corrupt clergy may try to “own” gargoyles, treating them as indentured guardians.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gargoyles grown from temples desecrated by war often harbor <strong>bitterness toward the religion</strong> that abandoned them.</li> </ul><p><strong>Key Conflict:</strong></p><p>Temples try to treat gargoyles like constructs; gargoyles insist they are people.</p><p></p><h4>Nobility, Militias, & Urban Government — “Stonework is Infrastructure”</h4><p>City rulers appreciate gargoyles’ usefulness—gliding scouts, silent watchers, and literal rooftop patrols.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Positive:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gargoyles serve as <strong>night guards</strong>, eliminating rooftop thieves and flying pests (stirges, imps).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Nobles may grant gargoyles partial citizenship or “limited personhood” in exchange for protection.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Some cities hire gargoyle clans as a <strong>stoneworker militia</strong>, able to perch silently and strike at invaders.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Negative:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Nobles fear gargoyle autonomy; laws may forbid them from gathering in groups (to prevent rebellions).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Governments often demand they wear sigils or crests to prove loyalty—something many gargoyles interpret as <strong>branding</strong>.</li> </ul><p><strong>Key Conflict:</strong></p><p>Nobles want gargoyles to be predictable; gargoyles resist being used as statues with schedules.</p><p></p><h4>Universities, Arcanists & Mage Guilds — “Alchemical Curiosity”</h4><p>Gargoyles shaped by medical colleges and wizard towers fascinate the magical elite.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Positive:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Scholars treat gargoyles as <strong>living case studies</strong> in geomancy, alchemy, and elemental life.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Arcane researchers may collaborate with gargoyles, documenting humor-core anatomy and stone sleep cycles.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Golemcrafters admire gargoyles as the “natural evolution” of construct magic.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Negative:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Some arcanists feel entitled to <strong>dissect</strong> or <strong>harvest</strong> pieces from gargoyles (“purely for research”).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wizards often assume gargoyles are elementals or constructs and treat them accordingly.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Magical experiments can warp newborn gargoyles into unstable variants.</li> </ul><p><strong>Key Conflict:</strong></p><p>Gargoyles respect knowledge, but despise being treated as specimens.</p><p></p><h4>Guilds, Merchants, & Laborers — “Stonework Solidarity”</h4><p>Gargoyles have a complex relationship with the working class.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Positive:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Stonemasons view gargoyles as <strong>honorary colleagues</strong> and admire their intuitive geological knowledge.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Blacksmiths may collaborate with gargoyles to create metal-reinforced armor, fused into their bodies.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Courier and messenger guilds sometimes hire gargoyles for <strong>sky-route deliveries</strong> (gliding, not flying).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Negative:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Miners fear gargoyles, believing them to be omens or guardians of forbidden tunnels.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Labor guilds distrust them for “taking jobs that could go to the living.”</li> </ul><p><strong>Key Conflict:</strong></p><p>Gargoyles can be helpful, but their mere presence unsettles workers who see them as reminders of mortality turned to stone.</p><p></p><h3>Gargoyles & Other Monsters</h3><h4>Orcs, Gnolls, & Other Savage Humanoids</h4><p>Savage tribes treat gargoyles as:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Threats</strong> (if defending a structure)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Honored trophies</strong> (broken heads become totems)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Useful allies</strong> (in rare, mutually respected truces)</li> </ul><p>Gargoyles respect courage and despise needless cruelty, so alliances with honorable orc clans are not unheard of.</p><p></p><h4>Drow, Duergar & Deep-Dwelling Societies</h4><p>Gargoyles of subterranean origin strike uneasy alliances with the Underdark.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Drow:</strong> seek to enslave gargoyles as immobile watch-beasts.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Duergar:</strong> admire gargoyle craftsmanship but covet their mineral cores.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Derro:</strong> attempt horrific experiments to “improve” them.</li> </ul><p>Most gargoyles avoid the Underdark unless born from its twisted stone.</p><p></p><h4>Dragons — “The Makers of Monsters & Movers of Stone”</h4><p>Dragons—especially earth, blue, or shadow dragons—sometimes create gargoyles intentionally.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Positive:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Dragons see gargoyles as useful minions or guardians of hoards.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Some gargoyles treat dragons with reverence as ancient stone-singers.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Negative:</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gargoyles despise being treated as disposable statues.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Dragons occasionally cannibalize gargoyles, seeing their mineral bodies as magical nourishment.</li> </ul><p><strong>Key Conflict:</strong></p><p>Gargoyles often rebel against draconic tyranny, leading to spectacular rooftop battles.</p><h4>Undead — “Opposites of Creation”</h4><p>Undead and gargoyles clash instinctively.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Stone sleep emits <strong>life resonance</strong>, which undead loathe.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Gargoyles see undead as blasphemous distortions of memory and architecture.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Zombies and skeletons ignore stone-sleeping gargoyles until too late.</li> </ul><p><strong>Unique Conflict:</strong></p><p>Gargoyles cannot smell or sense undeath easily—making some undead (like wights or vampires) their most dangerous foes.</p><h4>Constructs, Golems & Elementals</h4><p>Gargoyles straddle the categories of creature and construction.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Golems</strong> see gargoyles as rivals—proof that stone can be alive without enslavement.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Earth elementals</strong> treat gargoyles as distant kin, but consider them soft, fragile, and contaminated by mortal emotions.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Animated statues</strong> sometimes imprint on gargoyles, following them like confused younger siblings.</li> </ul><p>This creates delightful roleplaying opportunities with “rock puppies.”</p><h4>Fey, Hags, & Tricksters — “Beautiful Stone, Beautiful Secrets”</h4><p>Fey creatures love gargoyles.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Their emotional cores resonate with fairy magic.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hags try to harvest their humors for alchemical potions.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Archfey may recruit gargoyles as stone-faced storytellers.</li> </ul><p>Fey often prank gargoyles by <strong>repainting them</strong> while they sleep.</p><p></p><p>Gargoyles tolerate this with exhausted dignity.</p><p></p><h4>Aberrations — “Alien Carvers”</h4><p>Gargoyles regard aberrations with one universal emotion: <strong>revulsion</strong>.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Mind flayers see gargoyles as “inedible but irritating stone guardians.”</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Beholders love using gargoyles as <strong>living turret platforms</strong> unless the gargoyles rebel.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Aboleths cannot dominate them directly, but can rewrite the memories of the stones they are tied to, creating horrific “Recarved Gargoyles.”</li> </ul><p>Abominations such as gibbering mouthers terrify gargoyles by warping stone into slurry.</p><p></p><p><strong>Gargoyle, Cathedral-Born</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Medium Elemental, Lawful Neutral</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Armor Class</strong> 16 (natural armor)</p><p><strong>Hit Points</strong> 75 (10d8 + 30)</p><p><strong>Speed</strong> 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (glide capability; cannot hover)</p><p></p><p>STR 16 (+3)</p><p>DEX 14 (+2)</p><p>CON 16 (+3)</p><p>INT 8 (−1)</p><p>WIS 14 (+2)</p><p>CHA 12 (+1)</p><p></p><p><strong>Saving Throws</strong> Wis +4, Con +5</p><p><strong>Skills</strong> Perception +4, Religion +2</p><p><strong>Damage Resistances</strong> bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks</p><p><strong>Damage Immunities</strong> radiant</p><p><strong>Damage Vulnerabilities</strong> thunder</p><p><strong>Condition Immunities</strong> petrified</p><p><strong>Senses</strong> darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14</p><p><strong>Languages</strong> Terran, Celestial, understands Common but rarely speaks</p><p><strong>Challenge</strong> 4 (1,100 XP)</p><p><strong>Proficiency Bonus</strong> +2</p><p></p><p><strong>Traits</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>False Appearance (Statue).</strong></p><p></p><p>While motionless, the gargoyle is indistinguishable from a stone statue or sacred ornamentation (angelic figure, grotesque, sentinel carving).</p><p>Creatures have <strong>disadvantage</strong> on Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) checks to discern its true nature.A creature with <strong>stonecunning</strong> automatically succeeds.</p><p></p><p><strong>Stone Sleep (Diurnal or Nocturnal).</strong></p><p></p><p>When its chosen trigger occurs (commonly sunrise), the gargoyle turns to inert stone. While in this form:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It is <strong>incapacitated</strong> and <strong>immobile</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It regains <strong>10 hit points</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It is treated as an <strong>object</strong> with AC 17 and resistance to all damage except thunder</li> </ul><p>The gargoyle can end Stone Sleep early if its bonded site is threatened.</p><p></p><p><strong>Radiant Veins.</strong></p><p></p><p>The gargoyle sheds faint, holy glimmers when agitated. It has <strong>advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened</strong>.</p><p></p><p><strong>Guardian’s Oath.</strong></p><p></p><p>The gargoyle is magically bound to protect a structure or sanctum. It gains <strong>advantage on attack rolls and saving throws</strong> made within 120 feet of its bonded site.</p><p></p><p><strong>Actions</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Multiattack.</strong></p><p></p><p>The gargoyle makes two attacks: one with its <strong>Claws</strong> and one with its <strong>Radiant Spit</strong> (or two Claw attacks).</p><p></p><p><strong>Claws. <em>Melee Weapon Attack:</em> </strong>+5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. <em>Hit:</em> 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.</p><p></p><p><strong>Radiant Spit. </strong><em>Ranged Spell Attack:</em> +4 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. <em>Hit:</em> 9 (2d8) radiant damage. If the target is undead or fiendish, it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom save or be blinded until the end of its next turn.</p><p></p><p><strong>Sanctified Glare (Recharge 5–6).</strong></p><p></p><p>The gargoyle’s stained-glass eyes ignite with radiant sigils. Creatures of the gargoyle’s choice within a 15-foot cone must make a <strong>DC 12 Wisdom saving throw</strong>.</p><p>On a failure:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Take 14 (4d6) radiant damage</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Are <strong>frozen in awe</strong>, reducing speed to 0 until the end of their next turn</li> </ul><p>On a success:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Take half damage, no speed reduction</li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Reactions</strong></p><p><strong>Warden’s Intercession.</strong></p><p>When a creature within 5 feet attacks a cleric, paladin, or creature designated as a "protector," the gargoyle imposes <strong>disadvantage</strong> on the attack roll.</p><p></p><p><strong>Description & Lore</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Architectural Echoes</strong></p><p>A cathedral-born gargoyle’s skin resembles the style of the sacred structure—Gothic pinnacles, rose-window fractals, ribbed vaulting, or smooth marble lines.</p><p></p><p><strong>Scent of Sanctuary</strong></p><p>These gargoyles radiate an aura of calm; animals often sit near them, and holy symbols placed on or near them glow faintly.</p><p></p><p><strong>Why They Attack</strong></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A sacred site is defiled</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A relic, bell, or altar is threatened</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Adventurers are mistaken for grave robbers</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Demons or undead are nearby</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A violated vow awakens them from stone sleep</li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Using Cathedral-Born Gargoyles in Play</strong></p><p></p><p>They make excellent:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Temple guardians</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Paladin allies</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Plot devices</strong> (they remember centuries of prayer and whispers)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Boss fight lieutenants</strong> in divine or anti-undead arcs</li> </ul><p>They are not inherently hostile; they judge intruders by intent, not by species.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Shades of Eternity, post: 9807864, member: 10869"] These special dietary talks have amused me greatly. :D [HEADING=1]Relationships With Other Factions & Creatures[/HEADING] [I]How gargoyles fit into the social, political, and monstrous fabric of a typical fantasy world.[/I] [HEADING=2]Gargoyles & Civilized Factions[/HEADING] [HEADING=3]Churches, Temples, and Sacred Orders — “The Oldest Employers”[/HEADING] Temples are simultaneously the greatest [B]creators[/B], [B]caretakers[/B], and sometimes [B]victims[/B] of gargoyles. [LIST] [*][B]Positive:[/B] [*]Many temples see gargoyles as [B]divinely ordained protectors[/B], sculpted to watch over holy sites. [*]Some Orders of Paladins ritualize the “Awakening of the Watcher,” where a new gargoyle is blessed and integrated into the temple’s defenses. [*]Clerics of Vigil, Light, Knowledge, or Protection domains often form [B]pacts of mutual guardianship[/B] with gargoyle clans. [*][B]Negative:[/B] [*]Zealous or corrupt clergy may try to “own” gargoyles, treating them as indentured guardians. [*]Gargoyles grown from temples desecrated by war often harbor [B]bitterness toward the religion[/B] that abandoned them. [/LIST] [B]Key Conflict:[/B] Temples try to treat gargoyles like constructs; gargoyles insist they are people. [HEADING=3]Nobility, Militias, & Urban Government — “Stonework is Infrastructure”[/HEADING] City rulers appreciate gargoyles’ usefulness—gliding scouts, silent watchers, and literal rooftop patrols. [LIST] [*][B]Positive:[/B] [*]Gargoyles serve as [B]night guards[/B], eliminating rooftop thieves and flying pests (stirges, imps). [*]Nobles may grant gargoyles partial citizenship or “limited personhood” in exchange for protection. [*]Some cities hire gargoyle clans as a [B]stoneworker militia[/B], able to perch silently and strike at invaders. [*][B]Negative:[/B] [*]Nobles fear gargoyle autonomy; laws may forbid them from gathering in groups (to prevent rebellions). [*]Governments often demand they wear sigils or crests to prove loyalty—something many gargoyles interpret as [B]branding[/B]. [/LIST] [B]Key Conflict:[/B] Nobles want gargoyles to be predictable; gargoyles resist being used as statues with schedules. [HEADING=3]Universities, Arcanists & Mage Guilds — “Alchemical Curiosity”[/HEADING] Gargoyles shaped by medical colleges and wizard towers fascinate the magical elite. [LIST] [*][B]Positive:[/B] [*]Scholars treat gargoyles as [B]living case studies[/B] in geomancy, alchemy, and elemental life. [*]Arcane researchers may collaborate with gargoyles, documenting humor-core anatomy and stone sleep cycles. [*]Golemcrafters admire gargoyles as the “natural evolution” of construct magic. [*][B]Negative:[/B] [*]Some arcanists feel entitled to [B]dissect[/B] or [B]harvest[/B] pieces from gargoyles (“purely for research”). [*]Wizards often assume gargoyles are elementals or constructs and treat them accordingly. [*]Magical experiments can warp newborn gargoyles into unstable variants. [/LIST] [B]Key Conflict:[/B] Gargoyles respect knowledge, but despise being treated as specimens. [HEADING=3]Guilds, Merchants, & Laborers — “Stonework Solidarity”[/HEADING] Gargoyles have a complex relationship with the working class. [LIST] [*][B]Positive:[/B] [*]Stonemasons view gargoyles as [B]honorary colleagues[/B] and admire their intuitive geological knowledge. [*]Blacksmiths may collaborate with gargoyles to create metal-reinforced armor, fused into their bodies. [*]Courier and messenger guilds sometimes hire gargoyles for [B]sky-route deliveries[/B] (gliding, not flying). [*][B]Negative:[/B] [*]Miners fear gargoyles, believing them to be omens or guardians of forbidden tunnels. [*]Labor guilds distrust them for “taking jobs that could go to the living.” [/LIST] [B]Key Conflict:[/B] Gargoyles can be helpful, but their mere presence unsettles workers who see them as reminders of mortality turned to stone. [HEADING=2]Gargoyles & Other Monsters[/HEADING] [HEADING=3]Orcs, Gnolls, & Other Savage Humanoids[/HEADING] Savage tribes treat gargoyles as: [LIST] [*][B]Threats[/B] (if defending a structure) [*][B]Honored trophies[/B] (broken heads become totems) [*][B]Useful allies[/B] (in rare, mutually respected truces) [/LIST] Gargoyles respect courage and despise needless cruelty, so alliances with honorable orc clans are not unheard of. [HEADING=3]Drow, Duergar & Deep-Dwelling Societies[/HEADING] Gargoyles of subterranean origin strike uneasy alliances with the Underdark. [LIST] [*][B]Drow:[/B] seek to enslave gargoyles as immobile watch-beasts. [*][B]Duergar:[/B] admire gargoyle craftsmanship but covet their mineral cores. [*][B]Derro:[/B] attempt horrific experiments to “improve” them. [/LIST] Most gargoyles avoid the Underdark unless born from its twisted stone. [HEADING=3]Dragons — “The Makers of Monsters & Movers of Stone”[/HEADING] Dragons—especially earth, blue, or shadow dragons—sometimes create gargoyles intentionally. [LIST] [*][B]Positive:[/B] [*]Dragons see gargoyles as useful minions or guardians of hoards. [*]Some gargoyles treat dragons with reverence as ancient stone-singers. [*][B]Negative:[/B] [*]Gargoyles despise being treated as disposable statues. [*]Dragons occasionally cannibalize gargoyles, seeing their mineral bodies as magical nourishment. [/LIST] [B]Key Conflict:[/B] Gargoyles often rebel against draconic tyranny, leading to spectacular rooftop battles. [HEADING=3]Undead — “Opposites of Creation”[/HEADING] Undead and gargoyles clash instinctively. [LIST] [*]Stone sleep emits [B]life resonance[/B], which undead loathe. [*]Gargoyles see undead as blasphemous distortions of memory and architecture. [*]Zombies and skeletons ignore stone-sleeping gargoyles until too late. [/LIST] [B]Unique Conflict:[/B] Gargoyles cannot smell or sense undeath easily—making some undead (like wights or vampires) their most dangerous foes. [HEADING=3]Constructs, Golems & Elementals[/HEADING] Gargoyles straddle the categories of creature and construction. [LIST] [*][B]Golems[/B] see gargoyles as rivals—proof that stone can be alive without enslavement. [*][B]Earth elementals[/B] treat gargoyles as distant kin, but consider them soft, fragile, and contaminated by mortal emotions. [*][B]Animated statues[/B] sometimes imprint on gargoyles, following them like confused younger siblings. [/LIST] This creates delightful roleplaying opportunities with “rock puppies.” [HEADING=3]Fey, Hags, & Tricksters — “Beautiful Stone, Beautiful Secrets”[/HEADING] Fey creatures love gargoyles. [LIST] [*]Their emotional cores resonate with fairy magic. [*]Hags try to harvest their humors for alchemical potions. [*]Archfey may recruit gargoyles as stone-faced storytellers. [/LIST] Fey often prank gargoyles by [B]repainting them[/B] while they sleep. Gargoyles tolerate this with exhausted dignity. [HEADING=3]Aberrations — “Alien Carvers”[/HEADING] Gargoyles regard aberrations with one universal emotion: [B]revulsion[/B]. [LIST] [*]Mind flayers see gargoyles as “inedible but irritating stone guardians.” [*]Beholders love using gargoyles as [B]living turret platforms[/B] unless the gargoyles rebel. [*]Aboleths cannot dominate them directly, but can rewrite the memories of the stones they are tied to, creating horrific “Recarved Gargoyles.” [/LIST] Abominations such as gibbering mouthers terrify gargoyles by warping stone into slurry. [B]Gargoyle, Cathedral-Born Medium Elemental, Lawful Neutral Armor Class[/B] 16 (natural armor) [B]Hit Points[/B] 75 (10d8 + 30) [B]Speed[/B] 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (glide capability; cannot hover) STR 16 (+3) DEX 14 (+2) CON 16 (+3) INT 8 (−1) WIS 14 (+2) CHA 12 (+1) [B]Saving Throws[/B] Wis +4, Con +5 [B]Skills[/B] Perception +4, Religion +2 [B]Damage Resistances[/B] bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks [B]Damage Immunities[/B] radiant [B]Damage Vulnerabilities[/B] thunder [B]Condition Immunities[/B] petrified [B]Senses[/B] darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14 [B]Languages[/B] Terran, Celestial, understands Common but rarely speaks [B]Challenge[/B] 4 (1,100 XP) [B]Proficiency Bonus[/B] +2 [B]Traits False Appearance (Statue).[/B] While motionless, the gargoyle is indistinguishable from a stone statue or sacred ornamentation (angelic figure, grotesque, sentinel carving). Creatures have [B]disadvantage[/B] on Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) checks to discern its true nature.A creature with [B]stonecunning[/B] automatically succeeds. [B]Stone Sleep (Diurnal or Nocturnal).[/B] When its chosen trigger occurs (commonly sunrise), the gargoyle turns to inert stone. While in this form: [LIST] [*]It is [B]incapacitated[/B] and [B]immobile[/B] [*]It regains [B]10 hit points[/B] [*]It is treated as an [B]object[/B] with AC 17 and resistance to all damage except thunder [/LIST] The gargoyle can end Stone Sleep early if its bonded site is threatened. [B]Radiant Veins.[/B] The gargoyle sheds faint, holy glimmers when agitated. It has [B]advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened[/B]. [B]Guardian’s Oath.[/B] The gargoyle is magically bound to protect a structure or sanctum. It gains [B]advantage on attack rolls and saving throws[/B] made within 120 feet of its bonded site. [B]Actions Multiattack.[/B] The gargoyle makes two attacks: one with its [B]Claws[/B] and one with its [B]Radiant Spit[/B] (or two Claw attacks). [B]Claws. [I]Melee Weapon Attack:[/I] [/B]+5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. [I]Hit:[/I] 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage. [B]Radiant Spit. [/B][I]Ranged Spell Attack:[/I] +4 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. [I]Hit:[/I] 9 (2d8) radiant damage. If the target is undead or fiendish, it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom save or be blinded until the end of its next turn. [B]Sanctified Glare (Recharge 5–6).[/B] The gargoyle’s stained-glass eyes ignite with radiant sigils. Creatures of the gargoyle’s choice within a 15-foot cone must make a [B]DC 12 Wisdom saving throw[/B]. On a failure: [LIST] [*]Take 14 (4d6) radiant damage [*]Are [B]frozen in awe[/B], reducing speed to 0 until the end of their next turn [/LIST] On a success: [LIST] [*]Take half damage, no speed reduction [/LIST] [B]Reactions Warden’s Intercession.[/B] When a creature within 5 feet attacks a cleric, paladin, or creature designated as a "protector," the gargoyle imposes [B]disadvantage[/B] on the attack roll. [B]Description & Lore Architectural Echoes[/B] A cathedral-born gargoyle’s skin resembles the style of the sacred structure—Gothic pinnacles, rose-window fractals, ribbed vaulting, or smooth marble lines. [B]Scent of Sanctuary[/B] These gargoyles radiate an aura of calm; animals often sit near them, and holy symbols placed on or near them glow faintly. [B]Why They Attack[/B] [LIST] [*]A sacred site is defiled [*]A relic, bell, or altar is threatened [*]Adventurers are mistaken for grave robbers [*]Demons or undead are nearby [*]A violated vow awakens them from stone sleep [/LIST] [B]Using Cathedral-Born Gargoyles in Play[/B] They make excellent: [LIST] [*][B]Temple guardians[/B] [*][B]Paladin allies[/B] [*][B]Plot devices[/B] (they remember centuries of prayer and whispers) [*][B]Boss fight lieutenants[/B] in divine or anti-undead arcs [/LIST] They are not inherently hostile; they judge intruders by intent, not by species. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
Gargoyles need to be redone.
Top
