AC 17 (natural armor)
HP 10 (3d6; bloodied 5)
Speed 0 ft., fly 30 ft.
Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 11
Damage Resistances piercing
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Condition Immunities blinded , charmed , deafened , exhaustion , frightened , paralyzed , petrified , poisoned
Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 10
Languages —
Spell-created. The DC for dispel magic to destroy this creature is 19.
False Appearance. While motionless, the sword is indistinguishable from a normal sword.
ACTIONS
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1) slashing damage.
Combat
Animated objects usually wait immobile until touched or approached, and then attack the closest creature. Some follow more complicated routines. Animated objects follow the commands last given them by their creators and show no initiative.
Variants: Enchanted Objects
Any animated object may possess one of the following traits:
Flaming. The object is immune to fire damage, and any damage it deals is fire damage.
Sentinel. The object's creator receives a mental alarm if the object is destroyed.
Spell Imbued. The creator stores a spell in the object (typically a spell with a level equal to or lower than the object's CR) that triggers once when certain conditions are met. For instance, a rug of smothering might levitate before attacking.
Talkative. The object can pose riddles or answer questions as if it were a sentient creature.
Legends and Lore
With an Arcana or History check, characters can learn the following:
DC 10 Spellcasters can animate objects as permanent guardians. While nearly anything can be animated, weapons and armor, rugs, and statues are most common.
DC 15 An animated object can be permanently destroyed with dispel magic . Breaking it into pieces works too.
A weapon dances in the air as if wielded by a skilled invisible warrior. It can be defeated by magic or by damaging the weapon itself. Flying swords are often found crossed on walls, in the hands of animated armor, or in the scabbards of inanimate skeletons. Most wait to attack travelers by surprise, but some clash and clatter endlessly through sword drills and mock battles.
Swords are the most common animated weapons, although other flying weapons exist, differing in their damage type and damage dealt.
1-3 Immobile, attacking when an intruder comes within a set distance
4 When approached, delivers a riddle or warning with a magic mouth and attacks those that don’t heed it
5 Loudly patrolling or mock-fighting
6 Immobile, attacking only when intruders approach an object or location it guards
Animated objects stand guard in magical laboratories and ancient ruins.
CR 0–2 1d4 flying swords ; 1 or 2 animated armors ; rug of smothering
Treasure 700 sp, silver and agate bracelet (25 gp)
CR 3–4 3 or 4 animated armors ; 2 animated armors with 1d4 flying swords ; walking statue ; rug of smothering with animated armor and 2 flying swords ; flame-spitting statue
Treasure 350 gp, spell scrolls of thunderwave and unseen servant
Constructs are beings that were built or made. Some are mindless machines, while others have some form of intelligence. Guardians are constructs.