You know about magic items if you’re familiar with Dungeons and Dragons. A magic item can come in all forms, from armor to whole sentient beings. These items can be challenging to acquire, such as the magic items like the Figurines of Wondrous Power. Skilled artisans crafted the statues and imbued them with magic. So they won’t just be lying around.

What are the Figurines of Wondrous Power?

• Bronze Griffon
• Ebony Fly
• Golden Lions
• Ivory Goats
• Marble Elephant
• Obsidian Steed
• Onyx Dog
• Serpentine Owl
• Silver Raven
• Black Ice Beholder
• Black Spider Figurine
• Blue Quartz Eagle
• Coral Dolphin
• Jasper Spider
• Red Boar
• Sardonyx Stone Flyer
• Cassius
• The Onyx Panther: Guenhwyvar
• Howlite Manticore
• Ivory Steed

Resources for Dungeon Masters

Figurines of Honorable Mentions

What are the Figurines of Wondrous Power?

If you’ve seen the Disney+ series Moon Knight, you already know what the figurines are like. The figures are similar to the ushabti of the Egyptian gods.  When you throw the figure and say the command word, the animals will transform into the creature(s) they take after. They include the Bronze Griffon, Ebony Fly, Golden Lions, Ivory Goats, Marble Elephant, Obsidian Steed, Onyx Dog, Serpentine Owl, and Silver Raven, not including the lesser-known figurines. The abilities and duration are specific to each figurine. This is important to keep in mind when incorporating them into your campaign.

Bronze Griffon

According to D&D Beyond, “This bronze statuette is of a griffon rampant”. A griffon is a carnivorous creature with the body of a lion and the head, forelegs, and wings of an eagle. It takes on the stats and abilities of a griffon for six hours once transformed. The creature must rest for five days before being used again once time is up.

Ebony Fly

The Ebony Fly has the likeness of a horsefly. It transforms into a giant horsefly large enough to be used as a mount for twelve hours. You can’t use the fly for two days after you use it. Unlike the other statues, the Ebony Fly has no stat block in the Monster Manual. However, don’t worry, D&D Beyond has one, and I have provided an easily accessible version.

Golden Lions

Artisans always craft The Golden Lions in pairs. Each golden figurine can transform and take on the stats of a lion for an hour. Afterward, they can only be used after seven days have passed. Reasonably so, considering you can use one or both simultaneously.

Ivory Goats

Craftworkers always create these particular statues in sets of three, and each of the Ivory Goats figurines stands out from the herd. The three unique goats are the Goat of Traveling, the Goat of Travail, and the Goat of Terror.

Goat of Traveling

The Goat of Traveling can transform into a large goat with the same stats as a riding horse. Instead of a time limit, it has twenty-four charges. Each charge is equal to about an hour spent in beast form. As long as charges are left, you can use them anytime until depleted. Once it runs out of charges, it will turn back into a figurine and will not be usable for seven days.

“Some magic items have charges that must be expended to activate their properties. The number of charges an item has remaining is revealed when an identify spell is cast on it, as well as when a creature attunes to it. Additionally, when an item regains charges, the creature attuned to it learns how many charges it regained.” — D&D Beyond

Goat of Travail

The Goat of Travail transforms into a giant goat (not to be confused with the Goat of Traveling’s abilities) for three hours. This figurine has the lengthiest cooldown time of thirty days.

Goat of Terror

I can’t say I’ve ever been afraid of a goat. However, I would much rather have this goat on my side than the enemies’. The Goat of Terror transforms into a giant goat for three hours, like the Goat of Travail. Except, the goat radiates an aura of terror with a radius of thirty feet while you’re riding it. This aura of terror causes all hostile creatures that start their turn within it to make a DC15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for one minute.

In addition, it’s crucial to note the goat itself cannot attack. Instead, you can detach its horns and use them as weapons until the goat returns to figurine form.

Marble Elephant

Out of the various Figurines of Wondrous Power, the Marble Elephant is the biggest among them at four inches tall and wide. It can transform into an elephant for up to twenty-four hours and has a cooldown of seven days.

Obsidian Steed

The Obsidian steed can be an absolute nightmare for twenty-four hours. How it behaves depends on your alignment. If you have a good alignment, there is a 10% chance that the horse will ignore your orders every time you use it. Furthermore, only mount it if it’s listening to your orders. You (and the furious horse) will be teleported to a random location on the Hades plane. Then, it transforms back into a figurine. The steed leaves you stranded—literally a nightmare.

Onyx Dog

The Onyx Dog turns into a mastiff for six hours and then won’t be able to be used for seven days. This figurine has the highest intelligence stat (so far) and can speak Common. Another unique ability of the Onyx Dog is its ability to see invisible creatures and objects.

Serpentine Owl

This wise jade owl can transform into a giant owl for up to eight hours and then must stay in figurine form for two days. The Serpentine Owl can communicate with the user at any range telepathically. So long as you both are on the same plane of existence (remember, don’t ride the Obsidian Steed when it’s ignoring you).

Silver Raven

The Silver Raven is handy to have for quick communication with others. It allows you to cast Animal Messenger at will during the twelve hours it’s in raven form. However, remember you have to wait two days before using it again.

These next several Figurines of Wondrous Power are not as well-known. They may be specific to particular media or campaigns.

Black Ice Beholder

The Black Ice Beholder figurine is more sinister, considering it’s crafted from black ice. It’s a corrupt mineral with an evil aura passed on from the Cryshal-Tirith. The material itself exudes a sinister influence on the being that possesses it, like the One Ring from the Tolkienverse.

The figurine can transform into a beholder for only ten seconds before exploding and returning to figurine form.

Black Spider Figurine

The Black Spider Figurine appears in Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn and the expansion pack Throne of Bhaal. The figurine will transform into a giant spider called Kitthix once per rest. The spider will obey the user’s commands for one hour and act as support.

“This black spider figurine fits in the palm of your hand. When the command word is spoken, the figurine comes to life as a semi-intelligent spider called Kitthix. The huge spider will obey its master’s commands for the duration of the spell or until slain. After one hour, regardless of whether the spider lived or died, the figurine returns. It takes a day to recharge the figurine.” — Description of the Black Spider Figurine from BG2

Blue Quartz Eagle

It fits that an artisan made this figurine from blue quartz. The crystals are a preferred ingredient for creating lenses for the eyes of charming, the eyes of the eagle, and the eyes of minute seeing. Depending on your DM, the figurine will transform into an eagle for twenty-four hours every tenday or week. It puts a whole new meaning to “eagle-eyed”!

Coral Dolphin

The Coral Dolphin Figurine can turn into a dolphin twice every tenday (or week) for four hours. These creatures are brilliant, so much so that they have been able to become priests with proper training. They can also speak Serusan, a language among shallow water peoples.

Jasper Spider

The Jasper Spider Figurine can turn into a giant spider for twelve hours, and you can use it as a mount. Ironically, the person who created the statue made it from a material used in proof against poison and has inherent antidotal properties. According to Volo’s Guide to All Things Magical, containers made of jasper will purify liquids stored in them for twenty-four hours.

Red Boar

The Red Boar Figurine has the cutest name out of the statuettes. The statue turns into an infernal boar by the name of Snort. Yes, Snort. Like another well-known Snort –or at least famous in the Beanie Babies collectors community– the 1990s Beanie Baby Snort the Bull.

“Bwahaha! I can’t ever be thankin’ ye enough for me new pet! Bwahaha! Snort! Bwahaha!” — Athrogate to Jarlaxle, Road of the Patriarch

Don’t let the cute name fool you! This hell boar is from the lower planes and is said to be similar to a nightmare. I recommend referring to the Obsidian Steed Figurine from a few paragraphs ago.

Sardonyx Stone Flyer

This statue can turn into a stone flyer– a magical beast moving through stone like a bird moving through the air. You can ride this creature for an hour each day upon use.

Cassius

Cassius is unique to the Neverwinter Nights: Tyrants of the Moonsea expansion. This Figurine of Wondrous Power is shaped like a wolf with “Cassius” carved into the side. You can use it once a day, and it turns into an astral wolf companion.

The Onyx Panther: Guenhwyvar

“Guenhwyvar is no demon,” Drizzt reassured his large companion. “[she] is a friend and valuable ally.” The cat growled, as if [she] understood, and Wulfgar took another step away. — R.A. Salvatore, The Crystal Shard

Guehwyyar (GUEN-nih-varr) is a loyal companion to Drizzt Do’Urden from R. A. Salvatore’s various works. Rather than the statue transforming into the panther, calling her name summons the astral being to Drizzt’s side for twelve hours. Unlike the other figurines, she can stay longer than twelve hours but will grow tired and weary. Ideally, Guenhwyyvar will need to rest for two days eventually. The panther can transport any being she touches to her astral home or the Ethereal Plane.

“Forever would Guenhwyvar remember the renegade dark elf, whose heart was so strong and so good and whose loyalty was no less than the panther’s own.” — R.A. Salvatore, Siege of Darkness

Howlite Manticore

The Howlite Manticore Figurine is from the sourcebook Cloak and Dagger from Wizards of the Coast. The Manticore is one of my favorite mythical beasts of all time. They’re so cool, a creature with the body of a lion, leathery wings, and usually a scorpion’s tail. Sometimes, they will be depicted with a human face, no wings, and a dragon’s tail.

Manticore from Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.

Ivory Steed

The Ivory Steed Figurine belongs to Tyr’s death knight, Miltiades. The horse would not transform into a living creature. Instead, it would turn into a full-size mount named Eritophenes, and since it isn’t a living creature (and Miltiades is basically a zombie), it can travel underwater. You know, ’cause needing to breathe is for living beings, not awesome undead paladins of Tyr and ivory companions.

Resources for Dungeon Masters

Dungeons and Dragons Basic Rules

Online Tools for Playing D&D at Home

Natural Crit

You can download the Quick Ref Guide here.

Figurines of Honorable Mentions (from Affordable Arcana by Jeremy Clements)

Emerald Frog

Glass Walrus

Hematite Cougar

Lapis Lazuli Camel

Pearl Dolphin

Tin Imp

Want to learn more or check my sources?

Are you interested in more articles like this, or do you want the author to add more stat blocks to the guide? Let us know in the comments below!

Additional Reading

• On the Shoulders of Giants
• A Wondrous Drinking Story
• The Men Who Stare At Goat Guns