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Breadcrumb

Homunculus

Challenge
Terrain
str
4
dex
16
con
10
int
10
wis
10
cha
10

AC 13

HP 5 (2d4; bloodied 2)

Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft.


Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 13

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities charmed, poisoned

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10

Languages understands the languages of its creator but can’t speak


Telepathic Bond. While they are on the same plane, the homunculus and its creator can communicate telepathically at any distance.


ACTIONS

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 1 piercing damage, and the target makes a DC 10 Constitution saving throw . On a failure, it is poisoned . At the end of its next turn, it repeats the saving throw. On a success, the effect ends. On a failure, it falls unconscious for 1 minute. If it takes damage or a creature uses an action to shake it awake, it wakes up, and the poisoned effect ends.

Combat

The homunculus hides or avoids combat unless ordered to fight.


Homunculus Appearance

1 Gargoyle

2 Anthropomorphic bat

3 Winged duplicate of its creator

4 Rag doll, toy soldier, or nutcracker

5 Winged monkey

6 Grotesque, ill-proportioned humanoid shape


Legends and Lore

With an Arcana or Religion check, characters can learn the following:

DC 10 Though they appear to be alive, homunculi are the creations of alchemy, not nature or the gods.

DC 15 Homunculi are impervious to poison. Their bite is mildly venomous.

DC 20 Homunculi share a mental bond with their creators, allowing them to communicate with each other over incredible distances.

Description

Alchemists create homunculi by adding a drop of their own blood to a vat of viscous, primordial ooze. Smaller than a newborn, the first of these artificial beings looked like nightmarish copies of their creators. Today, homunculi often feature customizations chosen by their master—most frequently wings, claws, or a visage more suitable for a lovable pet than a vile monster.

Quest for Abiogenesis. To create life from inanimate matter is an achievement rivaled only by elixirs of eternal life and sources of infinite gold. However, the creation of a “true homunculus”—a complete person born only from elemental reagents—eludes even the most inventive wizards as they struggle to wrest the secret of life from the hands of the gods. 

Blood Bond. In the truest sense, a homunculus is its creator’s flesh and blood. This connection allows a homunculus to communicate psychically with its master over any distance, making homunculi singular minions. This same connection sometimes proves to be a liability, however, as a captured homunculus makes its creator especially vulnerable to spells such as scrying.

Behavior

1 Hiding, watching for intruders

2 Patrolling

3 Stealing a thimbleful of wine or peeking into a forbidden book

4 Being chased by a cat

Encounters

Homunculi accompany their creators or guard their laboratories.

CR 0–2 homunculus ; homunculus with animated armor , grimalkin , or imp

Treasure 30 gp, spell scroll of unseen servant , potion of healing

Monster Type Description

Constructs are beings that were built or made. Some are mindless machines, while others have some form of intelligence. Guardians are constructs.