Animated Object (/ˈænɪmeɪtɪd ˈɒbʤɪkt/)

An animated object was a simple construct created through magic such as the animate objects spell. The god of craftsmanship, Gond, created animated furniture to do his bidding and to communicate with his followers. Both Torm and Garl Glittergold sometimes used animated weapons in a similar manner, and Cyrrollalee also animated objects for divine purposes.

The Mighty Menagerie found three Animated Armors at Tharros Underdark Hideout "Near" Outding Refuge. The Mighty Menagerie fought some Animated Chained Library Swarms of Animated Books in Jacoby's Eushia Home houpetor skatuch' in Eushia.

— Session 14: Mindflayer Colonies & Wizard Hideouts Report, Session 43: The Power of Books Report

Basic Information

Anatomy

Description

Nearly any lifeless object could be animated with magic, so to describe all of them broadly would be nearly impossible. Since they were not made of flesh, they often were more difficult to damage with weapons, but this of course depended on their material.

Typical animated objects included:
Animated Armor, empty suits of plate armor made of steel, used as guardians. Flying swords, graceful weapons that fought with confidence. Rugs of smothering, usually laid out as traps against burglars or disguised as carpets of flying. Animated Chained Library Swarm of Animated Books

Behaviour

Combat

Animated objects followed the will of their animator. If ordered to attack, most would slam themselves against their opponents. Different kinds of objects had other attacks available to them. For example, a rug or tapestry might wrap itself around a foe's head, effectively blinding her or him, or it might roll around a foe or group of foes and constrict. Larger animated objects could trample or crush enemies with their bulky frames.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Harvesting

Instructions

Instructions: Because this creature is an Construct, the player should roll a Investigation Check using the DCs in the table below. On a success, the player is able to harvest the item. On a failure, the item cannot be harvested (either because the character is not skilled enough, or because the item is ruined). The DM should note that many of the items have an expiration, and can not be sold or used after the expiration has passed.

Type: Construct
Skill: Investigation

DC	Item	Description	Value	Weight	Expiration	Crafting
10	Animated Sigil Material	Magical dust, ash and powder, the salvaged remains of a magical rune, often used to animate certain constructs.	5 sp	1 lb.	∞	-

Most Crafting Items have an acronym associated with it, such as "DMG". These acronyms refer to specific guide Books. For example, "DMG" refers to the "Dungeon Master's Guide". The acronyms for HHH and HHH2 refer to Hamund's Harvesting Handbook, a homebrew harvesting guide that offers a variety of homebrew (not official) magic items.

This kind of creature does not normally carry treasure. This kind of creature does not normally have or collect treasure. However, the creature may have a lair full of bodies, or reside somewhere that treasure already exists.
This creature produces no Harvested Meat

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Abilities

Animated objects always had the ability to see in the darkness and in dim light. Like other constructs, they did not need to eat, breathe, or rest; only magic kept them alive. They were immune to any effects that affected the mind and also to such things as poison and disease.
What an animated object could do depended on what the object was. In general, most animated objects moved by lurching, rocking back and forth, or slithering. If the object had legs, such as a statue or table, it could walk or run. Objects with two legs tended to move more quickly than most humanoids; objects with four or more legs moved even faster than that. Objects with wheels could roll quickly, while objects that could float could also "swim". Animated ropes could climb much like a snake, and sheet-like objects could clumsily fly.

---

Sources

Source(s):

• Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 19–20. ISBN 978-0786965614.
• Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 13–14. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
• Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. pp. 10–15. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
• Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 307. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
• CM, page 24

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Constructs

Genetic Descendants

• Animated Chained Library
• Swarm of Animated Books

Scientific Name

Exnihilia, Construe, Animated

Origin/Ancestry

Construct (Humanoid Animated)

Lifespan

Varies

Conservation Status

No conservation, as it is a construct. These are generally created as guards and actually may be protected by law in some areas as long as it is within the law itself.

Average Height

Varies

Average Weight

Varies

Average Length

Varies

Geographic Distribution

• Eushia
• Jacoby's Eushia Home houpetor skatuch'
• Urban Area Terrain

Related Ethnicities

• Construct Creatures

5E Statistics
Animated Object

Size	Varies
Type	Construct
Alignment	Unalignedl
Challenge Rating	Varies

---

Session Reports

• Session 43: The Power of Books Report

---

See Also: Animated_object on Forgotten Realms Wiki