Homunculi, Machina, Robots, Golems, and Statues

These are artificial beings that can be constructed by alchemists and magicians. Golems and machina are non-intelligent, statues and robots are artificial beings with intelligence, and homunculi are beings that can be constructed by alchemists they may or may not be intelligent. Each are described in detail in a separate section.

Homunculi: Homunculi are living creatures that may be constructed by alchemists at twelfth level. Alchemists acquiring this skill learn how to manufacture Aqua Vita, the Water of Life. This fluid can be used to bring dead bodies to life. It is not a resurrection formula as it does not restore the intelligence, memories, or personality of the dead body, it Just vitalizes the flesh. Homunculi bodies are made of pieces of plants and/or animals that have been sewn together, alchemically treated, and brought to life using aqua vita. Potions used in the alchemical treatment may endow the homunculi with special abilities. Time to construct is one month, and care must be taken that the pieces do not spoil in that time period. The base chance of success is 70%. Homunculi at this level are non-intelligent, but will follow simple commands. Alchemists may construct intelligent homunculi. These must be constructed from scratch at a cost of 800-1300 gp. Intelligent homunculi must include a fresh brain that has been brought back to life. A brain that has been dead for more than a few hours will not work. Obviously the larger the brain, the more intelligent the homunculi. The base chance of success is 60%. Failure is likely to result in the death of the homunculi 80% of the time. The remaining 20% of the time a non-intelligent homunculi will be the result.

Machina: Machina are mechanical robots that can be constructed by spell casters. These robots have the ability to move due to the magic powers endowed by this skill and the mechanical ability of the sorcerer. Cost to construct is 1000-2000 gp.. Initial design of machina will take from 1-2 months. Time to construct is 1 week at eight hours per day. The chance of success will be determined by the gamemaster based upon materials used, complexity, labor involved, practicality of design, and construction details. If successful the machina will be able to move and follow simple instructions. They are not intelligent and cannot think for themselves. if unsuccessful the sorcerer must star over again from scratch in design and construction, however material components may be reused.

Robots: Robots are machina that have been endowed with intelligence. Endowing robots with intelligence typically costs 500 gp over and above the cost of constructing the machina body. Large crystals are used for the brains of a robot and may be plugged into a completed machina body having a receptacle.

Golems: Golems are artificial creatures that have been brought to life magically. They are made of flesh, stone, clay, iron, wood, glass, or other material sculpted into the shape desired. The magic user creating the golem must have at least a talented level of ability in the art of sculpting. Golems cost from 700-1500 gp to construct. Time to sculpt and construct is one month and are with a base chance of 70% for successful construction. Golems typically will have movement abilities of the creature they most resemble. Imaginary forms will have appropriate movement to their shape.

Statues: Statues are golems that have been endowed with intelligence. Statues have a maximum intelligence of 18. Statues must be constructed from scratch at a cost of 1000-2000 gp. Statues take from 1-2 months to build and have a base chance of 60% to be successful.

 

 

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