Creating Animated Objects
Magic-users can create permanent animated objects in one of two ways, either by simply using the animate objects spell in conjunction with permanency, or through the use of the Craft Construct feat. Using the Craft Construct feat creates permanent animated objects and golems not susceptible to dispelling and antimagic. This crafting method is identical to the process for crafting a magic item. [UM pg.111]
All items have prerequisites in their descriptions. To create permanent animated objects not susceptible to dispelling and antimagic, the creator must meet all item creation feats and minimum caster level requirements. [UM pg.111] The creator must pay for magical supplies as well as the cost to purchase or create the base item. [UM pg.112] Other prerequisites often take the form of spells that must be known by the item’s creator (although access through a magic item or another spellcaster is allowed). [PCR pg.548]
As a rough guideline, a construct’s base market price is equal to its challenge rating squared and then multiplied by 500gp (CR^2 x 500gp). Constructs with a fractional CR simply multiply that CR by 500gp. The cost of magical supplies for the Craft Construct feat is half the base market price. [UM pg.112] Alternatively an animated objects base market price may be found by adding the objects hit dice, to the additional construction points spent, and multiplying the total by 1000gp ((HD + CP) x 1,000gp). [PF#43, Carrion Crown – The Haunting of Harrowstone, pg.81]
(Spells used to craft items are not actually cast, however they do count against the crafters daily allotment. Effectively spell components are included in the craft price.)*citation needed
Some constructs, particularly golems, require the use of additional costly magical regents which are detailed in the creature’s description. These regents, are consumed in the creation process and do not add to the final market price. [UM pg.112] However, a base item with intrinsic value independent of its magically enhanced properties, adds its value to the final market price. These raw material costs do not influence the cost of magical supplies. [PCR pg.549] Raw material costs must be paid in full, regardless of whether the creator uses the Craft Construct feat. [UM pg.112] Gold must spend at the beginning of the construction process. [PCR pg.549]
The creator needs a fairly quiet, comfortable, and well lit place to work. Work performed in a distracting or dangerous environment nets only half the time spent. Any place suitable for preparing spells, is suitable for making items. Creating an item requires 8 hours of work per 1,000gp in the item’s base price, and a minimum of 8 hours. Multiple days need not be consecutive. A character can only work on one item at a time. If a character starts on a new item, all materials used on the under-construction item are wasted. [PCR pg.549]
A caster can work no more than 8 hours per day nor create more than one magic item in a day. Crafting can be accelerated to 4 hours of work per 1,000gp by increasing the craft DC by 5. If the caster is out adventuring, he can devote 4 hours a day to item creation, although he nets only 2 hours’ worth of work. This time need not be spent in one continuous period, but rather during lunch, morning preparation, and during watches. [PCR pg.549]
At the end of this process, the spellcaster must make a single skill check (usually Spellcraft, but sometimes another skill) to finish the item. If an item type has multiple possible skills, you choose which skill to use. [PCR pg.548] The DC to craft a construct is 5 + the default caster level of the construct, just like for a magic item. Each missing requirement increases the Craft DC by 5. [UM pg.111] Failing this check means that the item does not function and the materials and time are wasted. Failing this check by 5 or more results in a cursed item (see Cursed Items for more information). [PCR pg.548]
