Naâruk
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CLIMATE/TERRAIN: |
Any |
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FREQUENCY: |
Very rare |
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ORGANIZATION: |
Solitary |
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ACTIVITY CYCLE: |
Any |
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DIET: |
Nil |
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INTELLIGENCE: |
Non- (0) |
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TREASURE: |
Nil |
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ALIGNMENT: |
Neutral |
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NO. APPEARING: |
1 |
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ARMOUR CLASS: |
5 |
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MOVEMENT: |
6, Fl 24 (C) |
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HIT DICE: |
12 (50 hp) |
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THAC0: |
9 |
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NO. OF ATTACKS: |
1 |
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DAMAGE/ATTACK: |
3d8 |
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SPECIAL ATTACKS: |
Charge |
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SPECIAL DEFENCES: |
Hit only by +2 or better magical weapons, spell immunities |
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MAGIC RESISTANCE: |
Nil |
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SIZE: |
L (10' tall) |
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MORALE: |
Fearless (20) |
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XP VALUE: |
11,000 |
Built by enduk priests in their grand temples, the naâruk is a golem which looks like a 10-foot-tall winged bull. The naâruk is usually fashioned of gleaming bronze with extremely lifelike workmanship. Naâruks stand dormant and still most of the time, appearing as statues. When active, however, a naâruk's eyes glow a soft green colour.
The naâruks give the enduks the ability to rapidly reposition troops and support personnel. During a special religious ceremony, up to 10 enduk warriors or clerics of the same faith may meld (as per the Meld Legacy) into this golem and use it as a long range transportation device. While melded, all occupants remain unconscious, vulnerable only to things that damage the naâruk. The naâruk then flies back to its temple of origin after releasing all of its occupants.
The Red Curse: As created beings, naâruks never acquire Legacies or require cinnabryl.
Combat: Like most other golems, a naâruk is merely able to execute fairly detailed, linear instructions. They have difficulty handling conditional instructions.
A naâruk has a Strength of 23 for purposes of breaking or pulling things, and opponents require +2 or better magical weapons to hit a naâruk. The naâruk is immune to most spells. A gust of wind spell slows the naâruk for 1d4 rounds, and it ignores all other spells.
If the naâruk gets a flying start of at least 60 feet, it charges, inflicting double damage. Naâruks count as +2 weapons for purposes of hitting creatures struck only by magical weapons.
Naâruks do not normally participate in battles, but they will defend themselves if attacked. These sacred creatures are reserved for holy wars. They will, however, attack creatures interfering with their goals. If necessary, a naâruk can release some or all of its occupants to assist in defence. If destroyed, a naâruk instantly releases all of its melded occupants.
Damage to the naâruk may only be healed at its home temple. Repairing a naâruk requires a produce fire spell and costs 100 gp in materials per hit point of damage repaired.
Habitat/Society: Most enduk temples keep at least one of these constructs as a guardian. Part of the duty of the enduk clergy is to keep the naâruk in top-notch operating condition. Many a neophyte enduk priest has spent countless hours hand-polishing the gleaming bronze flanks of the temple naâruk, learning humility, perseverance, and the honour of a task well-done.
Many enduks believe that the spiritual condition of the temple and the physical condition of the temple naâruk are linked. To them, a shiny, well-maintained naâruk indicates a healthy temple. Likewise, a naâruk with a bit of tarnish or a hitch in its step indicates corruption in the temple.
Ecology: The naâruk is a golem, a magical construct. As such, it plays no part in the world's ecology. A naâruk does not eat, sleep, or drink, and "lives" only until its body is destroyed.
Only the enduk priests know the secret of
constructing a naâruk. It requires raw materials worth 40,000 gp and
vestments worth 20,000 gp (which are not consumed) and requires a head priest
of 16th level or higher. The head priest must have at least eight assistant
priests, each of 8th level or higher. The ritual must be performed in a
consecrated enduk temple.