Caryatid Column

CARYATID COLUMN (Pillar Golem)

FREQUENCY: Very rare
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Dungeon Level V])

NO. APPEARING: 1-12
ARMOR CLASS: 5 <(NAC 10)?>
MOVE: 6"
HIT DICE: 22 hit points
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 @ 15
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-8 <note: original image depicts a scimitar>
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below <Immunity or resistance to weapons>
MAGIC RESISTANCE: All saving throws at +4
PPDM = 7, PP = 8, RSW = 9, BW = 9, S = 10
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: M (7' tall)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: V | 280

Caryatid columns are much like stone golems (see AD&D MM -- Golem, Stone) <edit> in that they are created by means of a magical tome or by a magic-user of 16th level or higher,
who must use the same spells as for the creation of a stone golem;
however the cost is slightly higher and the time taken doubles because of the intricacy of the creation.

The result is a slim,
decorative stone pillar about 7' high.
A casual glance will reveal nothing more than this decorative piece of stonework which will perhaps stand with an identical partner either side of the entrance into a chamber,
chapel or throne-room.
Closer inspection will reveal that the column is not,
as would be expected,
radially symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and has the very slender shape of a human female.
Once such detail has been discerned;
it will be clear to the observer that one of 'hands' of the female,
held close to her side,
carries a slim sword which blends into the rest of the stone so smoothly that it is near-invisible.

A caryatid column will always have a specific defensive function (and will never be met as a wandering monster).
This might be to guard a treasure-chest,
to prevent intrusion into a particular AREA or another similar task.
This task will have been set by the creator who,
if near at hand when the column animates,
will be able to control it with simple verbal commands.
More often,
though,
the creator is absent when the column performs a task,
in which case it will follow simple courses of action which have been predetermined by the creator.

The caryatid column will 'activate' as soon as any act is committed which its task specifically prohibits --
the approach of a potential thief towards the treasure the column has been set to guard,
an intrusion into a 'forbidden' AREA and so on.
When it does animate,
the caryatid column takes on a fleshy appearance,
it reduces to about 51/2' height and its form expands slightly so that it now appears as a fair young maiden.
The sword, formerly of stone,
becomes steel and it is this weapon that the caryatid column will use in melee if necessary,
striking as a creature of 5HD to inflict 2-8 points of damage.

However the caryatid column will not necessarily enter into combat;
its main task is to guard the treasure,
prevent intrusion into a particular AREA or another similar task and if it can carry out this task without combat it will attempt to do so.
Its behavior will depend a great deal on the circumstances and the instructions given by its creator but it might,
for example,
attempt to divert the attention of intruding adventurers from the forbidden AREA and lead them to a place where they will be trapped,
attacked by a monster or subjected to spell attack by the creator of the column.

If combat is inevitable,
however,
the caryatid column will initiate it.

Normal weapons inflict only half damage on the creature and magical weapons do full damage but without the magical bonus.
If a weapon,
magical or otherwise,
hits the caryatid column,
there is a 25% chance (not cumulative) that it will snap,
with each 'plus' of a magical weapon reducing that chance by 5% (so a +4 sword would have a 5% chance of snapping);
magical weapons with no 'plus' are treated as if +1.

When the caryatid column's task is complete --
intruders killed,
treasure no longer vulnerable,
for example --
it will return to its original position and revert to its original stone shape,
the sword becoming stone as well.
If the column is killed,
it returns to stone (as does the sword) on the spot.

by Jean Wells