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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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Shadowforged Guardian

Shadowforged guardians are created through the intricate and dangerous process of siphoning penumbral energies and matter from the Shadow Plane and then binding them to a physical skeleton of wood and metal.

The first shadowforged guardians were created thousands of years ago in Nidal and were usually crafted in the likeness of that nation's patron deity, Zon-Kuthon. Shadowforged guardians are understandably in high demand; unfortunately, only the person who speaks a special word or phrase at the moment of the construct's creation can command it. Those who know the hidden formula to craft these constructs guard the secret well and only a few shadowcasters deign to create these guardians on another person's behalf—for a hefty price.

Recall Knowledge - Construct (Arcana, Crafting): DC 32
Unspecific Lore: DC 30
Specific Lore: DC 27

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

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

Elite Shadowforged GuardianCreature 11

Legacy Content

Rare N Medium Construct Mindless 
Source Pathfinder #183: Field of Maidens pg. 84
Perception +20; greater darkvision
Skills Athletics +25
Str +7, Dex +5, Con +3, Int -5, Wis +0, Cha -5
Eager Shadows The shadowforged guardian increases all of its Speeds by 30 feet during the first round of combat after rolling initiative.
AC 31; Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +16
HP 190; Immunities death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, mental, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison, sickened, unconscious; Resistances cold 10, physical 10 (except adamantine); Weaknesses slashing 10
Induction Word Each shadowforged guardian is activated during creation by a special word or short phrase spoken by its creator, and hearing this induction word resets its functions. If the guardian hears a creature within 30 feet utter its induction word, the guardian must succeed at a DC 28 Will save or become stunned 1 (stunned 3 on a critical failure). Regardless of the result of this save, it's immune to utterances of its induction word until the end of its next turn.Twilight Aura (aura, illusion, occult, shadow) 30 feet. The shadowforged guardian's presence dims light and brightens shadows to a strange, twilit half-light. Light can't emanate brighter than dim light in this area while darkness is simultaneously illuminated to dim light. The shadowy aura automatically attempts to counteract any 5th-level or lower magical light or darkness effect brought into this aura or created in this area (counteract check +21, 5th level). As long as the guardian is in dim light, it gains a fly Speed of 30 feet.
Speed 30 feet, fly 30 feet in dim light
Melee [one-action] claw +25 [+21/+17] (agile, reach 10 feet), Damage 2d8+2+11 slashing plus 1d6 cold and PushShadow Breath [two-actions] (necromancy, occult, shadow) The shadowforged guardian expels a 30-foot cone of twisting shadows from its mouth. All creatures in the area must attempt a DC 31 Fortitude save. The guardian can't use Shadow Breath for 1d4 rounds.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature is enfeebled 1 until the end of its next turn.
Failure The creature is enfeebled 1 for 1 hour and slowed 1 for 1 minute.
Critical Failure The creature is enfeebled 2 for 24 hours and slowed 2 for 1 minute.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Feral Guardians

Once created, a shadowforged guardian is entirely loyal to its creator, who must utter an induction word during the process of creation to secure their permanent control over the mindless construct.