What's A Companculus?
A Companculus (plural Companculi) is a special automaton that can shift forms between an item and beast. Those with the coin to afford it will often purchase them from artisans to aid them in their work.
Additionally, the soul-bound nature of a Companculus makes them valuable as protectors. Especially when they take a form meant for combat. Shields with the face of lions. Crossbows which look like bats. All these can be dangerous enemies given only a moment.
However, standard Companculi might not be as innocent as they appear. Espionage agents employ Companculi as highly effective spies. Dropped pens with mandibles, fans made in the fashion of peacocks, and more are dangerous for secrets better kept.
Overall, Companculi are excellent companions and allies. And they bolster enemies to be stronger. Being wary of these constructs can save your money or even your life.
Creating a Companculus
All Companculi are Small or Tiny Constructs. They start out with the, "Transform", action and an attack based off their weapon form or their beast form if unavailable. They also gain the following traits. Companculi can also use their abilities while sentient, although players abilities often surpass the original. They are considered permanent magic items, even though they can lose their magic properties over the course of an adventuring day.
Additionally, the soul-bound nature of a Companculus makes them valuable as protectors. Especially when they take a form meant for combat. Shields with the face of lions. Crossbows which look like bats. All these can be dangerous enemies given only a moment.
However, standard Companculi might not be as innocent as they appear. Espionage agents employ Companculi as highly effective spies. Dropped pens with mandibles, fans made in the fashion of peacocks, and more are dangerous for secrets better kept.
Overall, Companculi are excellent companions and allies. And they bolster enemies to be stronger. Being wary of these constructs can save your money or even your life.
Creating a Companculus
If you'd like to design your own Companculus, there are some things you should keep in mind. Believability is one; whether the object could really become the beast. But more mechanically important are its abilities.
Actions
- Transform - The Companculus polymorphs into its creature form or item form. It retains its HP between transformations. It's forms are [item] and [beast]. A Companculus in item form can only take this action to transform into it's beast form unless it is given another action in its stat block.
Traits
- Faithful Companion - A creature attuned to the Companculus can use a reaction to automatically doff, don, equip, hold, or store the item when the Companculus transforms into an item within 5 feet of the attuned creature.
- Magic Sentience - If the Companculus drops to 0 hit points, it automatically transforms into its item form and can't transform until it has been unused for the duration of a long rest or is healed. It can move up to half its movement towards the attuned creature before transforming, if its reaction would otherwise be available. While it's HP is 0 the companculus' item form loses any magical bonuses to attack or damage rolls, although it retains any item charges.
- Magic Durability - The Companculus' HP is equal to twice your level. Additionally, it always retains the durability of a magic item while in item form, and only loses HP while in creature form. The Companculus can take short rests while in creature form, or long rests while in either form.
Weapons And Shields
| Rarity | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Uncommon | No weapon bonus and a possible ribbon ability, (Being a magic weapon is a bonus). |
| Rare | +1 bonus to weapons/shields and/or possibly one trait or charge/daily ability. |
| Very Rare | +2 bonuses and at least one additional ability or trait. |
| Legendary | +3 bonuses and at least one ability that is a trait, and one that is charge/daily based. |
Example Companculus - Gilded Lion Shield (Very Rare)
Transform - The Companculus polymorphs into its creature form or item form. It retains its HP between transformations. It's forms are a +2 Shield and a Small sized Lion. A Companculus in item form can only take this action to transform into it's beast form.
Bite - Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Claw - Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Transform - The Companculus polymorphs into its creature form or item form. It retains its HP between transformations. It's forms are a +2 Shield and a Small sized Lion. A Companculus in item form can only take this action to transform into it's beast form.
Bite - Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Claw - Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
Daily Ability - Threatening Roar
Once per day the Companculus can unleash a deafening roar. Every creature of your choice within 15 feet of the Companculus must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or else be frightened of the Companculus for 1 minute. They can repeat this saving throw on each of their turns.
