Gargoyle 4 (12)

It's Only Magic

Gargoyles are stone beings of many shapes and sizes that often start their lives as inanimate decor. However, few stay that way forever. Most alternate between dormancy and animated life during the course of their long existence.

Although their original purpose was to guard places, they are excellent at guarding almost anything, including other living beings. They can become deeply attached to these places and people, and their loyalty also makes them solid friends, companions, and even familiars.

Gargoyles may look like frogs, bunnies, demons, dragons, or any other creature real or imagined. They often (but not always) have wings.

All gargoyles have a name, even those that may not have left their dormancy for the first time. However, few will tell someone their real name, as they have a healthy fear of that knowledge being used for ill. Instead, they offer up a nickname, usually something similar, at least until they learn to trust someone fully.
Example names and nicknames are: Baryus (Barry), Borom (Boom), Cragur (Gray), Gonnerah (Razzie), Ikibrex (Ike), Jamemrod (Jam-Jam), Sadimel (Sadie), Violack (Vizzy)

Motive: Guarding

Environment: Cities, especially on older buildings

Health: 12

Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (4 points)

Armor: 3

Movement: Short; long while flying

Modifications: Seeing through deception, stealth, hiding, and sneaking as level 6

Combat: Most gargoyles don't wish to fight and will do so only reluctantly or if something or someone they're guarding is threatened. Their most basic attack is to throw or fly themselves fully at their foe, hitting the target with their entire body for 4 points of ambient damage (ignores Armor), but they may claw twice, inflicting a moderate wound (4 points) with each attack.

Gargoyles can see in darkness as if it were daylight.

Gargoyles have a number of additional combat options and other abilities at their disposal, including the following:

• Awaken Friend. Awaken another gargoyle out of its inanimate state and ask it to help. This other gargoyle must be within short range, it acts on the same initiative as the asking gargoyle, and it can take actions starting the turn after it is awakened.
• Bulwark. Grow to twice their size to prevent others from getting through a doorway or other opening. They are able to stretch out their wings, limbs, and even other body parts to fill the entirety of the space.While in this form they cannot move or attack, but they can return to their normal size as part of another action.
• Take the Attack. Move up to a short distance on someone else's turn to take an attack directed at the person, place, or object they're guarding. Other than the distance traveled, this works like the taking the attack cooperative action. (Typically, the gargoyle relies on its Armor to absorb most of this damage.)
• Water Spout. Open their mouth and emit a powerful short-distance stream of water that inflicts a moderate wound (4 points) to everyone in its path.

Interaction: While gargoyles can be conscripted and tricked into guarding, they're much more likely to throw themselves into the job if someone takes the time to earn their loyalty. They are not always the smartest, but they are very "grumpy sunshine" and often quite funny.

Use: Gargoyles work best when used to defend something. PCs can end up at odds with a gargoyle who thinks (incorrectly or correctly) that their beloved building is in danger, or have to find a gargoyle that for some reason has gone missing from their customary perch.