Difference between revisions of "Helmed horror"

Revision as of 18:51, 16 August 2026

A helmed horror is empty, animated armor, capable of independent reasoning. It is neither undead nor a summoned creature. Often found as a guardian, this automaton appears to be a warrior completely clad in plate mail. Horrors are seldom self-willed wanderers, but they continue to serve as guardians even after the deaths of their masters, operating continuously until destroyed. Some have been known to avenge a slain creator, following orders instilled in them. In some cases the horror's orders even allow it autonomy in the absence of commands. Horrors don't sleep, eat, or speak, and they cannot feel pain. They are ideal guardians, for their loyalty is total and devoid of ambition or emotion.

Helmed horrors can use weapons and employ magical items, but most cannot cast spells, although some more powerful ones are rumored to have limited spell abilities. They can see invisible creatures and objects up to 120 feet away, and it has infravision to the same range. Magic missile spells cast at a horror actually heal it by restoring its bonding energy.

Helmed horrors are able to stand through levitation. Thus, they can walk on air or function without any legs at all. This allows flight, but it doesn't allow riders. They are fearless and cannot be controlled by magical or other means that work on the mind or senses.

A helmed horror can be contacted by means of ESP or similar spells, but it cannot be affected by illusions or enchantments. Any mental contact with a horror allows it to read the current surface thoughts and emotions of the being contacting it, despite any defenses, which allows them to sense treachery and unerringly judge the sincerity of mentally encountered creatures.

The process of creating helmed horrors remains secret, but it is known to require both divine and arcane casters. It is known to involve the input of a set of commands, and the imbuing of some number of spell immunities.

Note: Helmed horrors originally appeared in this form in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume 1 for the AD&D game from TSR. Their use here is for the purposes of providing context for the campaign only.