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Thorsbjorn 01-25-08, 01:43 AM

As some of you know, I'm updating the old Basic D&D module, Maze of the Riddling Minotaur, not only to 3.5 but also for low epic-level play. The module features obsidian golems, each of which asks a riddle and allows the party to pass unmolested if the party answers the riddle correctly. The obsidian golem is a statue carved in the shape of a minotaur, complete with great axe. To make the obsidian golem I started with the greater stone golem per the 3.5 Monster Manual. I gave the golem a +3 huge greataxe, and 4 iterative attacks at +45/+40/+35/+30 for 4d6+22 in place of the greater stone golem's two slams at +42 for 4d8+13. (The obsidian golem could still use the slam attacks as an alternative to the great axe if it needs to.) I also gave the obsidian golem a secondary attack in the form of a gore attack at +37 for 3d6+6. I based the damage on the minotaur's gore attack, increasing the damage by two size categories--one of the actual size difference, and one for having the horns made of stone instead of softer horn. I gave the obsidian golem a special attack in the form of a powerful charge at +42 for 8d6+19. As with the gore attack, I took the minotaur's damage and increased it by two size factors. (As a practical matter, the obsidian golem's size plus the narrow confines of the maze will probably prevent it from using the powerful charge in this adventure.) I replaced the stone golem's supernatural ability to cause a slow effect with a supernatural ability to enter a great frenzy which increases the obsidian golem's strength by +10 and grants it an extra iterative attack at its highest attack bonus when it takes a full attack action. Although the frenzied berserker has a similar ability as an extraordinary ability, an obsidian golem, as an animated hunk of statuary, doesn't have the ability to physically get angry and increase its effort, so I made the golem's ability supernatural. (I know that an antimagic field would negate it, but as a practical matter the party doesn't have that spell.) I have kept all of the greater stone golem's scores, abilities and weaknesses. The stone golem as a CR of 16. My initial thought is to raise the obsidian golem's CR to 17, or perhaps even 18. What do you think? Thanks. :)