Homebrew Shield Guardian Species Details

Bound Nature

Shield guardians are magical constructs created by those adept in the arcane arts. During the creation process they are bound to an amulet, and whoever carries the amulet gains the protection of the guardian. The protection of the amulet's bearer becomes the guardian's prime focus, though they may have other interests.

Resilient Structure

Most shield guardians are quite large, with the cheapest standing at around 9 feet tall and others at around 12 feet tall. However, there is a more expensive method of creation that allows for a more intelligent construct at the cost of its size, resulting in a being about the size of an average human. Their limbs are made of wood, and their appendages and other parts are either made of stone or metal, or a combination of both. They often appear to be wearing armor, though it’s just their natural appearance.

Independence and Dependence

While the majority of shield guardians lack both intelligence and personality, the result of a more expensive and time-consuming process of creation may be a being with its own thoughts and emotions. This guardian will still be bound to its amulet, but it will be able to think for itself and determine its own beliefs. In many senses, it is its own person.

Be that as it may, the shield guardian has an uncontrollable attachment to its amulet, and by extent the amulet’s bearer. If the guardian’s amulet is destroyed, the guardian will become inoperable. If the guardian’s amulet is worn by another, the guardian will have no choice but to protect them with their lives. The magic that created the guardian bound it to the amulet in an irreversible way.

Some shield guardians may have an amicable or even friendly relationship with the bearer of their amulet, and they may not mind living to protect them. Others may resent or despise the bearer, wishing nothing more than to escape the servitude they have been brought into. Unfortunately for the guardian, it is physically impossible for it to knowingly bring harm to the bearer in any way.

If a shield guardian’s amulet is unworn, or if the bearer dies, then the shield guardian may take its own amulet and bear it. In this case, the guardian gains its full free will and may do as it wishes, with no person they are magically bound to protect.

Creation

Such an intelligent shield guardian may be created for any number of reasons. One reason may be so that the creator may have a more intelligent, and therefore more useful, bodyguard than its non-sapient and larger counterpart. This would allow the guardian to give more input on matters of security and possibly cover things that the creator may miss. Another reason may be that the creator is lonely and simply wants a friend, which a normal shield guardian would obviously be insufficient for. Another reason may be that the creator has the desire to be a parent and this is the only way that they see that happening.

Shield Guardian Names

Shield guardians’ names differ greatly and depend on who creates them. One created by a human will have a human name while one created by an elf will most likely have an elvish name. They may also be given a more simple name related to their nature, such as Creaky or Wheels. They do not have a sex and therefore can have any name, though they may identify as a certain gender if they so desire.

Shield Guardian Traits

Shield guardians' traits revolve around their bound amulet and their construct nature.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice, usually known by your creator.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.

Age

The maximum lifespan of the shield guardian remains a mystery; so far, shield guardians have shown no signs of deterioration due to age. You are immune to magical aging effects.

Alignment

A shield guardian's alignment is often heavily influenced by their creator's, though they might differ. Regardless of alignment, however, they will have no choice but to protect the bearer of their amulet, no matter who it is or if their morals align.

Size

Shield guardians such as you are about the size of an average human, standing anywhere from 5 feet to over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

As a magical construct, you were made to protect your amulet's bearer in any environment. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Blindsight

You can perceive anything in your surroundings within 10 feet.

Constructed Resilience

You were created to have remarkable fortitude, represented by the following benefits:

• You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.
• You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe.
• You are immune to disease.
• You don't need to sleep, and magic can't put you to sleep.

Sentry's Rest

When you take a long rest, you must spend at least six hours in an inactive, motionless state, rather than sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but it doesn’t render you unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal.

Bound Amulet

You have an amulet magically linked to you. You can have only one corresponding amulet, and if that amulet is destroyed, you become incapacitated until a replacement amulet is created. This amulet is subject to direct attack if it is not being worn or held. It has an AC of 10, 10 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. Crafting an amulet takes 1 week and 1,000 gp in materials. Whoever wears this amulet can use an action to telepathically call the shield guardian, allowing the guardian to sense their distance and direction. This can be done as long as the guardian and the amulet are on the same plane of existence.

Primary Purpose

When a creature makes an attack against the wearer of your amulet and you are standing within 5 feet of the wearer, you may use your reaction to grant the wearer an AC bonus equal to half of your proficiency bonus rounded down, to a minimum of 1.

Spell Storing

A spellcaster who wears your amulet can cause you to store one spell of 4th level or lower. To do so, the wearer must cast the spell on you. The spell has no effect but is stored within you. When commanded to do so by the wearer or when a situation arises that was predefined by the spellcaster, you cast the stored spell with any parameters set by the original caster, requiring no components. When the spell is cast or a new spell is stored, any previously stored spell is lost. You may use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.