Mozzarella Golem

Large Construct

Hit Dice: 10d10+30 (85 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 20 (–1 size, +11 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 20
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+18
Attack: Stretching slam +13 melee (2d8+7)
Full Attack: 2 stretching slams +13 melee (2d8+7)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Elastic reach, mozzarella pull, engulfing embrace
Special Qualities: Construct traits, damage reduction 5/slashing, darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, elastic body, immunity to cold, scent, softened by heat
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +3
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 10, Con —, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 1
Skills: —
Feats: —
Environment: Temperate farms, dairies, kitchens, or any land
Organization: Solitary, pair, or creamery (2–4)
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 11–18 HD (Large); 19–30 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —

Special Attacks

Elastic Reach (Ex)

The mozzarella golem's arms can stretch to impossible lengths.

Its melee reach with slam attacks is 15 feet, and it may make attacks of opportunity throughout that reach.

Unlike most Large creatures, it may attack adjacent opponents normally.

Mozzarella Pull (Ex)

Whenever the mozzarella golem successfully strikes a creature with a slam attack, it may immediately attempt a bull rush without provoking attacks of opportunity.

Instead of pushing the opponent away, a successful check pulls the victim directly adjacent to the golem.

This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Engulfing Embrace (Ex)

If both slam attacks hit the same target during a full attack, the mozzarella golem may immediately begin a grapple as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity.

On a successful grapple check, the target becomes wrapped in thick cords of enchanted mozzarella.

The victim is grappled, while the golem is not considered grappled and may continue attacking other opponents.

A restrained creature takes 2d6+7 points of constriction damage each round at the beginning of the golem's turn.

Escaping requires either:

• winning an opposed grapple check, or
• succeeding on a DC 23 Escape Artist check.

Special Qualities

Construct Traits

A mozzarella golem possesses all construct traits.

Damage Reduction (Ex)

Damage reduction 5/slashing.

Elastic Body (Ex)

The mozzarella golem's enchanted body stretches and rebounds with astonishing resilience.

It gains:

• +4 racial bonus on grapple checks.
• +4 racial bonus against trip attempts.
• Immunity to being entangled.
• Immunity to effects that would reduce its reach.

Immunity to Cold (Ex)

Cold merely firms the mozzarella, causing no additional effect.

Scent (Ex)

The fresh aroma of milk and cream grants the mozzarella golem the scent special quality.

Softened by Heat (Ex)

Fire has an unusual effect.

Whenever the golem suffers at least 10 points of fire damage from a single source, its body becomes extremely soft for 3 rounds.

During this time:

• Natural armor decreases by 2.
• Reach increases to 20 feet.
• Slam attacks deal an additional 1d6 fire damage.
• It gains a +2 bonus on grapple checks.

Additional fire damage refreshes the duration but does not stack.

Description

A mozzarella golem is a towering construct formed from enormous magically preserved wheels of fresh mozzarella layered together into a broad, muscular humanoid shape. Unlike the rigid forms of cheddar or swiss golems, its body appears slightly yielding, with glossy white surfaces that glisten beneath a thin sheen of moisture. Every movement causes subtle stretching between its joints, as though the construct were fashioned from living strands of enchanted cheese rather than solid wheels.

When standing still, the mozzarella golem appears almost statuesque. The illusion vanishes the moment it attacks. Its arms elongate with startling speed, stretching several feet beyond what should be physically possible before snapping back into shape without the slightest sign of damage.

Those unfortunate enough to be seized quickly discover that the golem is less interested in striking than restraining. Thick ribbons of magically elastic mozzarella coil around limbs and torsos, pinning victims in place while the construct calmly turns its attention toward the next intruder.

Many experienced adventurers have underestimated a mozzarella golem because of its pristine appearance. Few make that mistake twice. Once its elastic limbs begin sweeping across an entire chamber, escape becomes surprisingly difficult.

Lore

The mozzarella golem was developed after cheesemancers sought a guardian capable of controlling crowds rather than merely crushing them. Inspired by the famous "stretch" of freshly made mozzarella, artificers devised enchantments that allowed the construct's limbs to extend far beyond their natural proportions without sacrificing strength.

Unlike most animated constructs, the mozzarella golem relies on flexibility rather than sheer durability. Its body continuously redistributes magical tension throughout thousands of enchanted cheese fibers, allowing it to absorb tremendous force before returning to its original shape. Wizards specializing in transmutation often study these principles in hopes of adapting them to living flesh, though such experiments have produced mixed—and frequently embarrassing—results.

Cheesemakers prize mozzarella golems for handling delicate tasks that would challenge heavier constructs. Their elastic limbs can retrieve items from high shelves, lift massive curds without crushing them, and manipulate equipment with surprising precision despite their enormous size.

Stories abound of thieves who believed they had escaped one of these guardians, only to feel a giant white arm snake around a distant corner and casually drag them back into the creamery. Veterans advise that if a mozzarella golem is within sight, it is probably within reach as well.