Clockwork Armadillo

Family: Clockwork

Small construct, unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 22 (4d6 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	5 (–3)	10 (+0)	10 (+0)

Saving Throws Dex +6
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +2, Stealth +6
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages understands the languages of its creator but can’t speak
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Construct Nature. The armadillo doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.
• Immutable Form. The armadillo is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.
• Magic Resistance. The armadillo has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• Overclocked. The armadillo has advantage on initiative rolls.

ACTIONS

• Scissor Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) slashing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or drop whatever it is currently holding.
• Tuck In. The armadillo tucks its entire body into its shell, forming an armored ball. While an armored ball, it moves by rolling, has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage, is immune to the prone condition, and it can’t make Scissor Claws attacks. As part of this action, the armadillo can expand its shell outward to contain one object of its size or smaller that isn’t being worn or carried and is within 5 feet of the armadillo. The armadillo can uncurl its body and release any contained item as a bonus action.

ABOUT

This intricate construct is encased in brass plates and shaped like an armadillo. The clockwork armadillo was first created as a practical joke between tinkerer mages. In seeking to disrupt the success of a colleague, a particularly devious metallurgist crafted a creature from a geodesic sphere, clad the creation in pliant and slippery armor, and sent it out to confiscate a rival’s project. After a raucous chase through a packed crafting hall, word of the clever design swiftly spread. Since its fateful inception, the clockwork armadillo has become a favorite of the wealthy, who often use the critters as theft deterrents in their vaults and private estates.

Deviously Equipped. Clockwork armadillos designed for theft denial are outfitted with sharp claws, which can snip through leather and cord with ease, and hyperkinetic fly gears, which magnify torsion and allow for optimal reflexive output when evading hostile forces. While a clockwork armadillo is certainly equipped to defend itself, its primary motive is to confiscate loose valuables, tuck them inside its rolled-up body, and lure its opponents into pursuit to buy time for more capable authorities to arrive.

Geared for Mischief. The original design called for an unruly animal spirit to be bound to the clockwork armadillo, but as clockwork design has advanced, tinkerers have experimented with binding minor demons, devils, and even fey. However, this often results in unpredictable behavior. In a few notable cases, unfortunate owners were found bereft of valuables, keys, prized possessions, and nearly always their tempers.