Samuel Kisko

Migrus Locker

This small locker is carved from fossilized wood and it is usually found chained, sealed and dumped in a long forgotten location. When the locker is unsealed and opened a desiccated hairless cat with a humanoid face lay within, the Migrus. After a few moments the Migrus animates and begins to preen itself clean and creature’s face begins to take the appearance of who opened the Migrus Locker.

The Migrus moves in a strange jerky motion and it will obey simple commands that its master dictates. The Migrus takes a very literal and brutal approach to problem solving and is fond of taking trophies. If the Migrus is slain it decays messily overnight in a glistening slick of putrid fluid. When the dawn comes the Migrus will rise again from the filth, eat the scraps of rancid flesh, and return to its previous duties. The Migrus has attributes of a Cat with the construct type. The Migrus will always do its best to return to its owner and can not be permanently destroyed by normal means.

Moderate transmutation; CL 15th; Craft Wondrous Item, flesh to stone; Price 38,000 gp; Weight 8 lb.

Wow. This is quite creative. I'm not sure there's enough rules "meat" on this idea, but I am definitely creeped out!

The Cat with construct subtype is a nice way to avoid unnecessarily reinventing the mechanics of "a small minion creature".

Strong flavor. I'm not sure what a player character or villain *does* with this thing, but yeah, super creepy.

I love this. It could use a bit less show off writing and a tad more mechanics. But I love it.

Two days later and I'm still really digging this.

i love golems and homonculii and stuff like that. This thing is great. If only the text was tighter. I hope this one makes the cut and advances to the next round. I'd like to see what this person could do with a bit more breathing room.

Me too.

I found myself thinking about this item today for no good reason. Just out of the blue. I was making a snack or something in the kitchen.

Now that shows how much impact this thing is having on me.

I love the Migrus.

I know. It has kind of taken over my imagination as well.

Clearly, we are all dog people. Because secretly, this cat has gotten under my skin as well. Nasty felines are all just one step short of infernal homonculi to begin with.

Kept.

It is appropriate that this is the first in the keeper forum.

Dibs on calling my next heavy metal band Migrus!!! Though I might need umlauts on the "u"...

Strong flavor. I'm not sure what a player character or villain *does* with this thing, but yeah, super creepy.

I ran a version of this in-game a few years back, though we used a Sumatran Rat-Monkey as the construct. It ended up being quite useful for the PCs; using the critter to set off lethal traps, and convince local peasants they were under the hex of witchcraft, and other general mischief. The rat monkey must have 'died' a good two-dozen times in the run of the campaign.

Anyhow, Migrus is latin for 'mini' as a take on 'mini-me'. I figure that it would be something you would see next to a Wizard in some Erol Otus picture. Glad you guys found it interesting.

This was one of the first items that really made us sit up and marvel. Thanks for submitting it!

I really like the item, as such. But... it just seems rules light for a game as concerned with mechanics as D&D. This is shortlisted for coolness, but the mechanics thing might come back to bite it in its gross little butt by the time of voting.

Yeah, this one is much more flavorful than crunchy. Speaking as a judge, I am very excited to see what the mind of this author can put forth in the next (and perhaps forthcoming) rounds.

I really like this one. It's creepy, and "not right". I love that. I think this rounds out my top three.

I think this one may be my favorite, even if it is rules light. The language used in the write-up is just so evocative and inspires dread and loathing, even though the creature itself is far from physically imposing.

Great work!

What do you all mean when say it's "rules light"? Are there any particulars of its operation that need to be detailed by rules that aren't there? Or do you just all like rules? Seems to me to have all the rules it really needs.

What do you all mean when say it's "rules light"? Are there any particulars of its operation that need to be detailed by rules that aren't there? Or do you just all like rules? Seems to me to have all the rules it really needs.

I'd agree it has all the rules it needs (to wit "The Migrus has attributes of a Cat with the construct type.").

That's what I liked about it. That and the ooziness of it. The majority of items won their slot on mechanical design or utility.

This one did it on flavor and attitude. And that's pretty cool.

My first thought was "cool and creepy ... but what the hell does it do?"

But the more you think about it, the more uses (both 'flavour' and 'mechanical') you can think of for it.

Possibly a bit high on the caster level front, but very cool.

EDIT: although ... maybe not too high or overpriced, considering you can pretty much not kill the thing! I think I might need to use this one...

I've got to admit, this item does just gnaw at you the more you think about it. It's so over the top creepy, has an evocative name, and has more uses than you would expect at first glance. I think this is probably my favorite item.

cappa, that was my first reaction, too. I said "where are the rules?" But in the end I came to agree with Wolfie that it actually does have all the rules that it needs--it makes a cat construct, thats it.

Literally, it is a "monster in a box", which in our judging parlance actually means something else and is a bad thing....

I don't know. I just don't like it. For one thing it seems to have just dropped out of the sky one day. No sense of why they show up in abandoned buildings or whatever. There they are. The fact that it's a dead cat with a person's face that changes into your face...I dunno' it just doesn't really do it for me.

The thing tries to be ominous and gross and really just ends up being...weird. Plus the aforementioned issue that it seems to be pretty much statless (which wouldn't normally bother me--if I could figure out what it was supposed to be). Beyond that, I'm not super clear that this thing is really a wonderous item. It feels more like a minion--an indestructable minion that eats its guts and respawns.

I dunno.

Let it grow on you Grim...

Very cool. But I'm curious did someone not want it anymore is that why it's put in the box and locked away?

As I read it I was freaking out. In my last campaign a powerful luck spirit took over the dirtiest, grossest cat ever and followed around one of my players. He was a fop so he hated the thing and had no idea it was giving him a luck bonus. He was constantly trying to kill it and it just kept coming back. He did put it in a bag and throw it in the ocean, but obviously he needed a petrified wood locker.

I like it. A lot.

Possibly even my favourite item on the list.

All the little details make it an absolute winner. I especially like the fact that the author provided interesting flavour text rather than combat moves or whatever. I much prefer it this way.

Literally, it is a "monster in a box", which in our judging parlance actually means something else and is a bad thing....

What does monster in a box mean in judging parlance?

I give's a damn about the SRD--I like the Migrus Locker. Freak out.

This is my new favorite item of the bunch since The Maw Of Urgathoa was eliminated.

Cant wait to have my players dig this sucker up. My bunch of paranoid freaks wont know what to think.

My first thought was "cool and creepy ... but what the hell does it do?"

If you have to tell a player how to use an item, you need better players. :)

Seriously, my favorite magic items/spells/whatever are ones that have a bunch of uses if you're creative, and this one definitely fits the bill. The creepiness is just bonus as far as I'm concerned.

This has cool and creepy factor, but I guess I've been looking at these items to evaluate their "use factor". Its pricey, so no one would by it form your FNMS, and if you found this in a loot pile it'd quickly be turned over to cash in most practical-minded parties.

cappa, that was my first reaction, too. I said "where are the rules?" But in the end I came to agree with Wolfie that it actually does have all the rules that it needs--it makes a cat construct, that’s it.

I originally wrote out a stat-block along with various ways a party/pc could come across the thing, destroy it, pass it on and so forth. It eventually just looked too mechanical and it really did boil down to a cat with construct traits. Also the fact that I originally had 800 words and had to trim it to 200 made it a necessity.

Very cool. But I'm curious did someone not want it anymore is that why it's put in the box and locked away?

I figure most (normal) people would not want the thing, not at all. Your every day peasant would flee in terror I'm sure. It was meant to be a grim and distasteful thing and I figure every day folks would get rid of it however they could (I smell an adventure hook?). I never really have cared for all treasure being found in some generic stack of loot a random monster would pile up for someone to pick up. Seemed more interesting to have this obvious magical thing that someone definitely did not want. At least it would make the party think.

Didn't like it on first blush, but it is a nice item. Well written and well done!

Mark

I think the text could be better, and I think it should have actual statistics for the cat. I know: no con score, construct traits, extra hit points: but it deserves maybe a higher Int than a cat. That affects skills and such. A stat block should come with every creature/item, I think.

By any chance inspired by the song "The Cat Came Back'?

Creepy flavor puts it at about 8-10 of the 12-15 I have read. Maybe higher as I go along. I really dig creepy items.

Clark Peterson wrote:

Literally, it is a "monster in a box", which in our judging parlance actually means something else and is a bad thing....

What does monster in a box mean in judging parlance?

In judging parlance, any item that just turns into a monster or polymorphs the wearer. There were a lot of things that turned into skeletons, angels, and even a gelatinous cube: some were well-written with flavor and mechanics, but others were just an item that turns into a summon monster, more or less.

Ultimately, it was tough to reward taking a monster's coolness and turning it into an item when other items were opening up more gameplay possibilities.

The term is similar to "spell in a can".

Definitely like the thing, but I still feel like I'm in the "and so what?" crowd. No offense at all to the author, speaking as one of those people who says "what can I do with a dozen 1 foot curtain rods" type of player. It just doesn't leap at me.

This item also reminded me of Brown Jenkins, which is a major point in its favor.

I like this one.

But I've been calling Mechanical fouls on two other items.. so here goes..

What is this? It's a Golem Cat in a Box. And is the box magical or is the cat? Sounds like the cat is.. Kitty comes out of the box, and the box becomes irrelevant mostly.

I don't think it should be expensive. I don't have a problem with the description (it is cool and creepy). But it's a Construct by the author's own description. That is, it's a monster that lives in a box. It's not a Wondrous Item, but I concede that Craft Wondrous Item is a prerequisite for Craft Construct.

You know what? I'd meet the concept halfway if the item had more of the basic ingredients of a clay golem.. if just only just animate object.

(Resurrection as well sounds logical, but hey- I see it's just a cat, and who would blow a lot of power on a cat? Again, I'd settle for Flesh to Stone, Animate Object, and the Craft Construct Feat with it's prerequisites- one of which is Craft Wondrous Item)

Seriously, it’s kind of like a homunculus, which is another low hit die creature with Construct Type,

Spell ingredients don't substantiate the function.

Even still, I wish Samuel best of luck in the next round. Looking forward to your country with this sort of wacky imagination.

Of the items that I've seen so far, this is the one that I'll send my twisted friends to when they want an eerie item for their players to find.

Well done!

What is this? It's a Golem Cat in a Box. And is the box magical or is the cat? Sounds like the cat is.. Kitty comes out of the box, and the box becomes irrelevant mostly.

When the locker is found it is sealed with the Migrus inside and the Migrus is not animate, which may be a desirable effect at times. Honestly I would have loved to elaborate more but the word count simply did not allow much flexibility. Likewise the Migrus own stat-block would have also been nice to clear up any disparity but I think the stat-block alone was close to the word limit :P

I don't think it should be expensive.

My main intention was to prevent armies of ill-tempered and indestructible cat-golems from being created. Or is that a bad thing, hmmm..

Even still, I wish Samuel best of luck in the next round. Looking forward to your country with this sort of wacky imagination.

Thanks!

I have to say, this creepy and strange little item is definitely in my top three. Tons of potential here.

Very well done.

Kind of reminds me of Homunculus meets Pet Cemetary.

I like the creepiness. Many hooks and arcs using this item have come to mind already.

Hey- it's the cartoon of "the Cat came back!"
All Paizofied, of course.
That's a great idea.

This is far and away my favorite entry. I agree with Wolf that all the necessary rules are included, although I think they could be presented a little more tightly. But oh, the possibilities. Figuring out where the hell (or from what hell) this thing came from is part of its creepy charm. The cost may be a little high, tempting the party to sell the thing (if they could -- maybe the locker is the real magic item, and the only thing that can keep the cursed cat-thing from following its "master").

But what a twisted party mascot. Are we sure "Samuel Kisko" is a real person? After all, the Migrus is sort of a Pet(t), and the puddle of filth certainly has a loogie(Loguey?)-like quality.

Very nice flavor, though the creepiest flavor is sort of implied.

Looking forward to the country from this contestant.

Top five.

I am going with Watcher.

This is a creature not a wondrous item.

Ditto.

I think it's creepy as hell, but I don't really see a strong connection between it and the locker other than an activation.

For my games, it's going to have to be a monkey. this thing just has "evil monkey" written all over it for me.

I'm also going to have to either require it's construction to need something foul (like killing a child or somesuch) or make it a minor artificfact. I like one or two. At any price, I hate the idea of a dozen.

And my players can destroy armies with an indestructable cat golem, so I need to keep them rare.

This is far and away my favorite entry. I agree with Wolf that all the necessary rules are included, although I think they could be presented a little more tightly. But oh, the possibilities. Figuring out where the hell (or from what hell) this thing came from is part of its creepy charm. The cost may be a little high, tempting the party to sell the thing (if they could -- maybe the locker is the real magic item, and the only thing that can keep the cursed cat-thing from following its "master").

But what a twisted party mascot. Are we sure "Samuel Kisko" is a real person? After all, the Migrus is sort of a Pet(t), and the puddle of filth certainly has a loogie(Loguey?)-like quality.