Ye Olde Shoppe of Magicks – Monster Manuals – The Art of War

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In keeping with the Haunted Mansion our party is currently exploring, I came up with a WHOLE haunted library ala Gomez Addams

Encounter Mechanics

  • The books remain inert until one is pulled from the shelf. When disturbed, all eight awaken.
  • They can hover off the ground, flapping like birds. Some have the ability to run.
  • Their CR can be set between 2–3 each (slightly weaker alone, but dangerous as a group).
  • The fight can escalate as more books fall open—giving your party a frantic “stop pulling tomes!” realization.

Encounter Notes

  • Trigger: The fight begins when one book is pulled from the shelf. The rest join after 1 round, 1d4 books at a time, for rising tension.
  • Tactics: Books hover and swarm. “Art of War” boosts the others, “Odyssey” disrupts positioning, “Dracula” heals mid-fight.
  • Party Balance: Facing all 8 at once could overwhelm — consider staggering their arrival for a cinematic escalation.

The Art of War
(Book Monster)

Medium Construct, lawful neutral

Armor Class Class 13 (sturdy cover)
Hit Points 68 50 (8d8+16)
Speed 30 ft., hover 30 ft.

STR 10 (+0) DEX 14 (+2) CON 14 (+2)
INT 16 (+3) WIS 14 (+2) CHA 12 (+1)

Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +4
Skills Insight +4, History +5
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned, prone, exhaustion
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages understands Common and one ancient military tongue, cannot speak
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Traits

  • Tactical Presence. Allies within 10 ft. of the Art of War Tome have advantage on their first attack roll each turn.
  • Battlefield Wisdom. The tome has advantage on saving throws against being blinded, deafened, or stunned.

Actions

  • Attack Spectral Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8+3) slashing damage as the tome attacks and strikes with a blade.
  • Phantom Blade. Melee Spell Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) slashing damage as spectral soldiers emerge from its pages.
  • Rallying Command (Recharge 5–6). One allied book monster within 30 ft. can immediately make an attack. That ally also gains temporary hit points equal to 1d8 + the tome’s proficiency bonus.
  • Ink Barrage. Ranged Spell Attack: +5 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6+2) force damage as sharpened characters and ideograms slash across the air.

Optional Legendary Actions

  • Grand Stratagem (1/day). Each allied book monster within 30 ft. may move up to half its speed and make one weapon attack. Enemies in the area must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom save or be frightened until the end of their next turn by the ghostly generals.
  • Martial Precision. On a critical hit, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn (intimidated by the ghostly general).
  • Sweeping Strike (Recharge 6). Instead of a single attack, the tome lashes out with a spectral line of soldiers. All creatures in a 10-ft. line must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) slashing damage on a failure, half as much on success.

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