Swarm of Animated Books (/swɔːm ɒv ˈænɪmeɪtɪd bʊks/)

Nothing bad happens from a book.

One of the many constructs in Dungeons and Dragons, the Swarm of Animated Books is what the name implies. They are able to fly around, battering enemies with their bodies. As books they are weak to flames.

The Mighty Menagerie fought some in Jacoby's Eushia Home houpetor skatuch' in Eushia.

— Session 43: The Power of Books Report

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Swarms of animated books do not have a lifespan in the traditional sense, as they are not individual creatures. However, the individual books that make up a swarm can last for centuries if kept in good condition.

Behaviour

Combat

Animated objects followed the will of their animator. If ordered to attack, most would slam themselves against their opponents. Different kinds of objects had other attacks available to them. For example, a rug or tapestry might wrap itself around a foe's head, effectively blinding her or him, or it might roll around a foe or group of foes and constrict. Larger animated objects could trample or crush enemies with their bulky frames.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Harvesting

Instructions

Instructions: Because this creature is an Construct, the player should roll a Investigation Check using the DCs in the table below. On a success, the player is able to harvest the item. On a failure, the item cannot be harvested (either because the character is not skilled enough, or because the item is ruined). The DM should note that many of the items have an expiration, and can not be sold or used after the expiration has passed.

Type: Construct
Skill: Investigation

DC	Item	Description	Value	Weight	Expiration	Crafting
10	Animated Sigil Material	Magical dust, ash and powder, the salvaged remains of a magical rune, often used to animate certain constructs.	5 sp	1 lb.	∞	-

Most Crafting Items have an acronym associated with it, such as "DMG". These acronyms refer to specific guide Books. For example, "DMG" refers to the "Dungeon Master's Guide". The acronyms for HHH and HHH2 refer to Hamund's Harvesting Handbook, a homebrew harvesting guide that offers a variety of homebrew (not official) magic items.

This kind of creature does not normally carry treasure. This kind of creature does not normally have or collect treasure. However, the creature may have a lair full of bodies, or reside somewhere that treasure already exists.
This creature produces no Harvested Meat

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Abilities

Animated objects always had the ability to see in the darkness and in dim light. Like other constructs, they did not need to eat, breathe, or rest; only magic kept them alive. They were immune to any effects that affected the mind and also to such things as poison and disease.
What an animated object could do depended on what the object was. In general, most animated objects moved by lurching, rocking back and forth, or slithering. If the object had legs, such as a statue or table, it could walk or run. Objects with two legs tended to move more quickly than most humanoids; objects with four or more legs moved even faster than that. Objects with wheels could roll quickly, while objects that could float could also "swim". Animated ropes could climb much like a snake, and sheet-like objects could clumsily fly.

---

Sources

Source(s):

• Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 19–20. ISBN 978-0786965614.
• Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 13–14. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
• Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. pp. 10–15. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
• Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 307. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
• CM, page 24

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Animated Object
• Constructs

Scientific Name

Exnihilia, Construe, Animated, Object (book, Swarm)

Origin/Ancestry

Construct (Humanoid Animated | Object, Books, Swarm)

Lifespan

Indefinite

Conservation Status

No conservation, as it is a construct. These are generally created as guards and actually may be protected by law in some areas as long as it is within the law itself.

Average Height

typically about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

Average Weight

typically weigh about 100 pounds.

Geographic Distribution

• Eushia
• Jacoby's Eushia Home houpetor skatuch'
• Urban Area Terrain

Related Ethnicities

• Construct Creatures

5E Statistics
Swarm of Animated Books

Size	Medium (Swarm of Tiny Creatures)
Type	Construct
Alignment	Unalignedl
Challenge Rating	1/4

---

Session Reports

• Session 43: The Power of Books Report

---

See Also: Animated_object on Forgotten Realms Wiki

CM, page 19

Swarm of Animated Books CR: 1/4 (50 XP)

Medium construct (swarm of tiny), unaligned

Armor Class: 12 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 22 ( 4d8+4 )

Speed: 0 ft , can hover

STR

10 +0

DEX

13 +1

CON

12 +1

INT

1 -5

WIS

10 +0

CHA

1 -5

Skills: Proficiency Bonus +2

Damage Vulnerabilities: fire

Damage Immunities: poison, psychic

Condition Immunities: charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned

Senses: blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 10

Languages: —

Challenge Rating: 1/4 (50 XP)

False Objects. If the swarm is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn't observed the swarm move or act, that creature must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check to discern that the swarm is animate.
Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a 1-foot-tall, 8-inch-wide, 2-inch-thick object. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Actions

Book Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit: 6 (2d4 + 1) bludgeoning damage, or 3 (1d4 + 1) bludgeoning damage if the swarm has half its hit points or fewer.

Suggested Environments

Urban Area Terrain