Bargain's Buddy

This spell's origins lie with a bard whose liberal application of the Animate Objects sought him out more permanent companionship. By touching an inanimate, non-magical object you grant it a facsimile of life. If the object has legs, such as a table or chair it uses those for movement, otherwise it floats at your waist level and is unable to change its altitude. If you mistreat the Animated Buddy or try to summon more than one, the buddy will leave out of neglect or jealousy; returning back to its normal state as an inanimate after 1d4+1 hours. The Animated Buddy lasts until its reduced to 0 hp, or it is dispelled by you or by force. You can talk to the buddy telepathically, though it can only understand and communicate simple concepts, and you can only do so up to 150 ft.

In combat, the Animated Buddy shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take one of the actions in its stat block or the Dash, Disengage, Help, Hide, or Search action.

The Buddy has the following statistics:

Animated Buddy
Medium or smaller construct, neutral
Armor Class: 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points equal the Animated Buddy’s Constitution modifier + your Spellcasting modifier + twice your level in this class
Speed 40 ft.
STR 18 (+4), DEX 14 (+2), CON 16 (+3), INT 4 (−4), WIS 10 (+0), CHA 6 (−2)
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed (by magical means), exhaustion, poisoned, frightened (by magical means)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands the languages you speak
Immutable Form The Animated Buddy is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

---

Actions (Requires Your Bonus Action)
Force-Empowered Slam Melee Weapon Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, reach 5 ft., one target you can see. Hit: 1d10 + your Spellcasting modifier force damage.

 At Higher Levels: When cast a 6th level or higher, you may command your Animated Buddy to attack as part of your turn without using your bonus action. This attack counts as the Animated Buddy's turn.