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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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Doorwarden

Doorwardens are constructs originally invented by elves. Upon first glance, these guardians resemble ornate doors made entirely of steel or even mithral, but when trespassers try to force their way past, the doorwarden transforms into a skilled and sturdy soldier bearing its “door” like a towering shield.

Perceptive travelers can sometimes spot a door warden before its magic becomes obvious. The door often bears a round disk or similar embossment that resembles a shield boss designed for bashing, and the bar that can be lowered to block entry resembles an arm clasping a longsword by the hilt. The original doorwardens crafted by the elves included a motif of elven armor and a metal mask in the style of Alseta’s own, though other cultures embellish their own doorwardens with their own themes and sometimes even their own ancestral weapons, such as axes for dwarven doorwardens.

Doorwardens sometimes know about the chambers they guard, and they have been known to speak to trespassers, especially elves. But a doorwarden cannot be persuaded to stand aside; it is bound to the portal where it has been placed and will defend it until destroyed.

Recall Knowledge - Construct (Arcana, Crafting): DC 22
Unspecific Lore: DC 20
Specific Lore: DC 17

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Weak are marked in red below.
NOTE: The -2 damage penalty to non-strike offensive abilities (-4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Weak DoorwardenCreature 4

Legacy Content

Uncommon LN Large Construct 
Source Pathfinder #145: Hellknight Hill pg. 86
Perception +13; low-light vision; see invisibility
Languages Common
Skills Athletics +11, Intimidation +9
Str +6, Dex +0, Con +3, Int -1, Wis +1, Cha +2
Items longsword, steel shield (Hardness 5, HP 20, BT 10) with shield boss
AC 20 (7 with shield raised); Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +8
HP 45; Immunities bleed, death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison, sickened, unconscious; Resistances physical 5 (except bludgeoning)
Attack of Opportunity [reaction] Reactive Shield [reaction] Trigger An enemy hits the doorwarden with a melee Strike. Effect The doorwarden can Raise its Shield and gain its shield’s benefit to AC against the triggering attack. Shield Block [reaction] When the doorwarden uses Shield Block against a melee attack from a creature within 5 feet, it can also push the creature 5 feet.
Speed 20 feet
Melee [one-action] longsword +13 [+8/+3] (reach 10 feet, versatile P), Damage 1d8-2+9 slashingMelee [one-action] shield boss +13 [+8/+3], Damage 1d6-2+9 bludgeoningMelee [one-action] door +11 [+6/+1], Damage 1d4-2+8 bludgeoningArcane Innate Spells DC 17 (-4 dmg); 2nd see invisibility
Imitate Door [one-action] (concentrate) Until the next time it acts, the doorwarden appears to be a door. It has an automatic result of 31 on Deception checks and DCs to pass as a door.Slam Doors [two-actions] (concentrate) The door opens and slams its doors, making two door Strikes against one creature. If both hit, the creature is grabbed—stuck between the doors. The doorwarden’s multiple attack penalty doesn’t increase until it has finished both attacks.

Sidebar - Additional Lore The First Doorwardens

Elves crafted the original doorwardens in honor of their goddess of portals, Alseta. Such doorwardens (such as the one in this volume's adventure) are similar to the one presented here, but they speak Elven instead of Common, wield specially crafted elven curve blades rather than longswords, and may have great knowledge of elven culture and religion.