If not of the pitch fork’s charred haft and oily prongs it might be easy to mistake the construct for a normal version of the farming implement. Even with these tells it’s not uncommon for victims not to notice the difference until the pitch fork moves on its own. By then, though, the attack has started and it’s already too late. Whether inching along the ground or slowly bobbing through the air, the possessed tool drips enchanted pitch along its path. The same arcane mix glazes the wounds the pitch fork inflicts on its targets, augmenting the damage flames might do.

Immolation. After tearing into a creature and smearing them with pitch, the animated tool explodes in something close to a wizard’s fireball. However, the magic energizing the implement is imperfect and doesn’t protect the pitch fork from the conflagration. The construct doesn’t enjoy any self-preservation instinct either, and will continue to utilize this tactic even when it would destroy itself.

Pitch Fork

Small Construct, unaligned

Armor Class 8 (natural armor)

Hit Points 25(7d8)

Speed 5ft

Fly 10ft

Str 17 Dex 7 Con 10 Int 3 Wis 12 Cha 3

Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons that aren't adamantine

Damage Resistances poison, psychic

Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poison

Senses blindsight 60ft, blind beyond. Passive Perception 10

Languages -

Challenge 1 (200 XP)

False Appearance.

While the pitch fork remains motionless it is indistinguishable from a normal, derelict pitchfork.

Actions

Stab

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, and must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution save or gain vulnerability to fire damage for 1 minute as they are covered in mystical pitch. If a creature has enough water to rinse itself clean and takes an action to do so it can end this effect. Prestidigitation and like magical effects will not clean off the pitch.

Immolate (Recharge 6).

Fire explodes from the pitchfork with a radius of 10ft. All targets within this area must make DC 11 Dexterity save taking 4d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on success. The pitch fork automatically fails this save and takes full damage.

Optional Rule: Pitch Tincture. With a successful Intelligence (Alchemy Supplies) check, DC 11, a character can harvest what enchanted pitch from a destroy pitchfork. The resulting pitch tincture can be used in conjunction with casting any spell that deals fire damage. If the spell requires a to-hit roll the caster gains advantage. If, instead, the spell requires a saving throw the target suffers disadvantage on that roll. The tincture is consumed after one use.