These pages explore the concepts of monsters or treasure as encounters, but not monsters covered in treasure. It’s one thing to face a foe and rifle through their pockets and pouches after defeating them. It’s another thing entirely when the monster is plated in treasure risking damage being fought through conventional means.
All That Glitters deploys the infamous stone golem, but not in the usual format. Stone golems are essentially magically animated stone statues, which means any statue can suffice. Additionally, by plating this stone golem in gold its true nature is disguised and turns a monster into a lure to guarantee the encounter.
Taking it a step further, changing the form of the statue from a humanoid shape into something less obvious (yet totally believable as a statue) like a horse, we add elements to disguise the encounter. This enhances the lure.
Placing this encounter in a believable space becomes the task. Surroundings lend themselves to the encounter just like any monster does, likewise with the environment. One makes the other more acceptable and plausible.
We’ll insert our golden stone golem where one might find one — guarding something even more valuable.
Encounter Type: Combat and puzzle.
Map: Dungeon room.
Lighting: None (single room encounter.)
System: 5E
Length: One shot
Installation Type: Addon
License: Roll20 End User License Agreement
(Personal Use Only, Do Not Distribute)