Library Automaton — fantasy monster illustration. Library Automaton is a small construct (Challenge Rating 1/2).

Image: FTTHelper

Summon a portrait of this monster
Describe it your way — Library Automaton is already filled in.
Summon art →

Library Automaton

Small Construct, lawful neutral

AC
13
HP
7
Speed
30
CR
1/2

The humming of servos, ticking of gears, and petite discharges of steam alert you to the presence of this library’s diminutive custodian.
These small constructs were created to fulfill organizational responsibilities of huge libraries with staffing problems, but some invariably learn enough about the wider world to seek out adventure and new knowledge, rather than tending the items in their care.
Eyes of the Past. While largely constructed with mechanical components, the automatons include a single human eyeball that is mounted at the end of an articulated appendage. The eye is usually donated by one of the institution’s scholars (prescribed in their will) so that they can continue serving the repositories of knowledge that were their life’s work.
Telekinetic. While the automatons have no arms, they can move and manipulate written materials telekinetically. Powered by keen analytical engines, the library automaton tirelessly pores through tomes, translates ancient texts, catalogs the institution’s volumes, fetches texts for visitors, and occasionally rids the vast halls of uninvited pests.
Sought by Wizards. Wizards have discovered that these clockwork bureaucrats make particularly effective caretakers for their spellbooks and scrolls while on adventure.
Constructed Nature. A library automaton doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.


Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 7 (2d6)

Speed 30 ft.


STR
8 (-1)
DEX
13 (+1)
CON
10 (+0)
INT
14 (+2)
WIS
12 (+1)
CHA
8 (-1)

Skills History +4, Investigation +4

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities charmed, poisoned

Senses blindsight 60 ft., truesight 10 ft., passive Perception 11

Languages Common, Machine Speech

Challenge 1/2


Traits

Extra-Dimensional Book Repository. A small door on the chest of the library automaton opens into an extra-dimensional bookcase. This bookcase functions exactly as a bag of holding except that it can store only written materials such as books, scrolls, tomes, parchment, folders, notebooks, spellbooks, and the like.

Actions

Gaze of Confusion. The library automaton chooses one creature it can see within 40 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Intelligence saving throw or take 9 (3d4 + 2) psychic damage and have disadvantage on Intelligence-based checks, saving throws, and attacks until the end of its next turn. If the saving throw succeeds, then the target takes half damage and suffers no other effect.

Bibliotelekinesis. This ability functions as the cantrip mage hand but can be used only on books, scrolls, maps, and other printed or written materials.

Community Images

Library Automaton — fantasy monster illustrationPrimary
FTTHelper · auto-generated · monster · monster

Sign in to upvote images, report inappropriate ones, and curate the entry's primary visual.

Have art for this entry? Contribute art — sign in, then use Add image.

Related entries

matched by shared tags

6 same-category · 0 cross-category

Further reading

Jetpack7 Game Master Series
The Game Master's Book of Random Encounters
Jeff Ashworth · 2020
The Game Master's Book of Traps, Puzzles and Dungeons
Jeff Ashworth · 2022
The Game Master's Book of Legendary Dragons
Aaron Hübrich · 2022