Animated Objects

Animated objects are crafted with potent magic to follow the commands of their creators. When not commanded, they follow the last order they received to the best of their ability, and can act independently to fulfill simple instructions. Some animated objects (including many of those created in the Feywild) might converse fluently or adopt a persona, but most are simple automatons.
In the Forgotten Realms, nearly any lifeless object can be animated. Both wizards and clerics can create such constructs via the Animate Objects spell. The followers of Gond, Torm, and Garl Glittergold are some of the most common groups to make them.

Constructed Nature

An animated object doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.
The magic that animates an object is dispelled when the construct drops to 0 hit points. An animated object reduced to 0 hit points becomes inanimate and is too damaged to be of much use or value to anyone. Due to the nature of their creation, an animated object can be almost anything, but listed here are some of the most common varieties.

Animated Armor

This empty steel shell clamors as it moves, heavy plates banging and grinding against one another like the vengeful spirit of a fallen knight. Ponderous but persistent, this magical guardian is almost always a suit of plate armor.
To add to its menace, animated armor is frequently enchanted with scripted speech, so the armor can utter warnings, demand passwords, or deliver riddles. Rare suits of animated armor are able to carry on an actual conversation.

Flying Sword

A flying sword dances through the air, fighting with the confidence of a warrior that can’t be injured. Swords are the most common weapons animated with magic. Axes, clubs, daggers, maces, spears, and even self-loading crossbows are also known to exist in animated object form.

Rug of Smothering

Would-be thieves and careless heroes arrive at the doorsteps of an enemy’s abode, eyes and ears alert for traps, only to end their quest prematurely as the rugs beneath their feet animate and smother them to death.
A rug of smothering can be made in many different forms, from a finely woven carpet fit for a queen to a coarse mat in a peasant’s hovel. Creatures with the ability to sense magic detect the rug’s false magical aura.
In some cases, a rug of smothering is disguised as a carpet of flying or another beneficial magic item. However, a character who stands or sits on the rug, or who attempts to utter a word of command, is quickly trapped as the rug of smothering rolls itself tightly around its victim.

"Be car'ful about how you use that sword lad! Ya neva' know if a mage has brought it to life or not!"

- Garabelth the Old, grandfather and wizard

Animated Armor Loot

• 1 Tattered Set of Plate Armor. 
• 1 Animating Sigil. Can be used as a material component in an Animate Objects spell. If used this way, the spell can only animate 1 nonmagical object of medium or smaller size. However, it remains animated as long as the sigil remains intact on the object (no concentration required). The sigil is consumed upon use.

Flying Sword Loot

• 1 Tattered Longsword.
• 1 Animating Sigil. Can be used as a material component in an Animate Objects spell. If used this way, the spell can only animate 1 nonmagical object of medium or smaller size. However, it remains animated as long as the sigil remains intact on the object (no concentration required). The sigil is consumed upon use.

Rug of Smothering Loot

• 1 Tattered Carpet.
• 1 Animating Sigil. Can be used as a material component in an Animate Objects spell. If used this way, the spell can only animate 1 nonmagical object of medium or smaller size. However, it remains animated as long as the sigil remains intact on the object (no concentration required). The sigil is consumed upon use.
• 1 Animate Carpet Patch. No immediate use. Can be mastercrafted (transmutation) by a spellcaster into a Carpet of Flying (maximum dimensions of 4x6 feet).