Flesh Golem

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Flesh Golem Introduction

In the dim, flickering light of the torch-lit chamber, a hulking figure looms into view, its grotesque form stitched together from the remnants of the dead. This is the Flesh Golem, a nightmarish construct born from the twisted ambitions of those who dare to play god. Its skin, a patchwork of mismatched hues and textures, stretches taut over bulging muscles, while thick, blackened stitches crisscross its body like a macabre tapestry. The air around it crackles with an unnatural energy, a testament to the arcane forces that animate this abomination.

The Flesh Golem moves with a lumbering gait, each step accompanied by the sickening squelch of flesh and the creak of sinew. Its eyes, dull and lifeless, seem to stare through you, as if seeing something beyond the mortal realm. Despite its monstrous appearance, there is a tragic air about the creature, a silent testament to the lives it once was. Yet, beneath this veneer of sorrow lies a volatile rage, ready to be unleashed upon those who dare to cross its path.

Typically found in the shadowy recesses of forgotten laboratories or the hidden sanctums of deranged wizards, the Flesh Golem is a guardian of secrets best left undisturbed. These places, often reeking of decay and filled with the remnants of failed experiments, serve as both its home and prison. Legends speak of mad alchemists and necromancers who, in their hubris, sought to create life from death, only to unleash a force they could not control. It is said that the anguished cries of the golem's component souls can still be heard echoing through these cursed halls, a chilling reminder of the price of forbidden knowledge.

As you stand before this towering monstrosity, a shiver runs down your spine. The air grows heavy with anticipation, and the shadows seem to close in around you. In this moment, you realize that the Flesh Golem is not merely a creature of flesh and magic, but a living embodiment of the darkness that dwells within the hearts of those who seek to defy the natural order. Will you face this horror and uncover the secrets it guards, or will you turn back, leaving the mysteries of the past to remain buried in the shadows?

Flesh Golem Skills & Traits

Skills

• None

Senses

• Darkvision 60 ft.
• Passive Perception 10

Languages

• Understands the languages of its creator but can't speak

Abilities

• Berserk: Whenever the golem starts its turn with 40 hit points or fewer, roll a d6. On a 6, the golem goes berserk. On each of its turns while berserk, the golem attacks the nearest creature it can see. If no creature is near enough to move to and attack, the golem attacks an object, with preference for an object smaller than itself. Once the golem goes berserk, it continues to do so until it is destroyed or regains all its hit points. The golem's creator, if within 60 feet of the berserk golem, can try to calm it by speaking firmly and persuasively. The golem must be able to hear its creator, who must take an action to make a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. If the check succeeds, the golem ceases being berserk. If it takes damage while still at 40 hit points or fewer, the golem might go berserk again.
• Immutable Form: The golem is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.
• Lightning Absorption: Whenever the golem is subjected to lightning damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a number of hit points equal to the lightning damage dealt.
• Magic Resistance: The golem has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• Magic Weapons: The golem's weapon attacks are magical.

Actions

• Multiattack: The golem makes two slam attacks.
• Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

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Battle Tips for Fighting a Flesh Golem

Flesh Golems are formidable constructs often found guarding ancient ruins or serving powerful wizards. As a Dungeon Master, utilizing a Flesh Golem effectively can create a memorable and challenging encounter for your players. Here are some tips to maximize their potential in battle:

Using a Flesh Golem in Battle

• Leverage Immunities: Flesh Golems are immune to a variety of conditions, including poison and non-magical attacks. Use this to your advantage by placing them in areas where these attacks are common, forcing players to adapt their strategies.
• Regeneration Tactics: A Flesh Golem can regenerate health when hit by lightning damage. Consider placing them in environments where lightning is prevalent, or have them accompanied by a spellcaster who can cast lightning spells to heal them during combat.
• Unpredictable Movement: Due to their Berserk trait, Flesh Golems can become unpredictable in battle. Use this to create chaos on the battlefield, potentially disrupting player plans and formations.

Coordinating Multiple Flesh Golems

• Divide and Conquer: Use multiple Flesh Golems to split the party, forcing them to deal with threats on multiple fronts. This can be particularly effective in narrow corridors or confined spaces.
• Flanking Maneuvers: Position Flesh Golems to flank players, taking advantage of their high strength to grapple and restrain key characters, making it difficult for the party to focus fire on a single target.
• Guarding Key Areas: Assign each Flesh Golem to guard specific areas or objectives, such as treasure rooms or escape routes, ensuring that players must deal with them to progress.

Strategic Retreats

• Controlled Retreat: If the battle turns against the Flesh Golems, have them retreat to a more defensible position, such as a narrow hallway or a room with environmental hazards that can be used to their advantage.
• Reinforcement Arrival: Use the retreat of a Flesh Golem as a signal for reinforcements to arrive, adding a new layer of challenge for the players as they must decide whether to pursue or regroup.
• Feigning Defeat: A Flesh Golem could feign defeat, luring players into a false sense of security before launching a surprise counterattack, potentially catching them off guard.

By employing these strategies, you can ensure that encounters with Flesh Golems are both challenging and engaging, providing a memorable experience for your players.