[Trinket+] Broadsword Guide to the Negative Energy Plane Monsters - Hollow Knight and Battle Knight

A hollow knight is a suit of empty, animated armor, neither undead nor summoned, yet fully capable of independent thought and reasoning. They are most often found as guardians, endlessly carrying out commands long after their creators have perished. A hollow knight appears as a towering warrior clad in plate, seemingly flesh and blood—until one realizes there is nothing inside.

Combat. Hollow knights are skilled warriors, wielding weapons and magic items that do not require speech. Though incapable of spellcasting, they are highly resistant to magic, seemingly built to withstand the power of spellcasters and liches alike. They can stand and walk on air, an unnatural ability that persists even if they lack legs.

Habitat/Society. Rarely self-willed, hollow knights continue their duties for centuries, never resting, never faltering. Some avenge their fallen creators, hunting those responsible, while others become wandering sentinels, searching for a new cause to serve.

Ecology. Crafted through a rare ritual requiring both divine and arcane mastery, hollow knights obey precise, carefully worded commands akin to those of a wish spell. Their original purpose remains a mystery, but many believe they were created as lich-hunters, their design making them uniquely suited to fighting undead spellcasters.

Battle Knights. Though similar in appearance, battle knights are far more dangerous. Unlike their hollow counterparts, they can cast spells, making them formidable foes. Worse still, battle knights are corrupt in purpose, pursuing their own violent agendas instead of following the commands of a long-dead master. Where a hollow knight serves, a battle knight conquers.

Creators

Words and Design DMDave

Illustration Nacho Lazaro