Working on a new Golem system. Need advice.


Advice

Shadow Lodge

In the world my campaign is taking place, there is a technology that permeates the world. Golem Cores. Basically, they are the elemental inside of the golem, but in side a modular core that can be put in any golem body built for this purpose. They are also used to run the air ships and the railroads. So... this is so that in war or heavy labor, if the golem's body is damaged destroyed, you don't have to get a wizard to make a whole knew body, and it save the more common man money!

But how do I translate this to rules? How much should it cost my PC's to buy/maintain this golems?

Shadow Lodge

I just would like a way to convert existing golems to this new system.

Scarab Sages

Well, I'd translate a percentage of the cost of the golem into the core. You'll need to decide how much cheaper you want to make it to replace/rebuild your golems.

So, assuming the core itself is intact, maybe repairing the golem only costs 50% or 25% of the cost to build a new one.

Keep in mind though that the cores will become targets for some folks. What happens if the core is broken open? Will it release an elemental?

And how do folks feel about enslaving sentient creatures to power their devices? Do they even know? Or are elementals not intelligent or possibly even alive?


From what you've described, you would still have to pay for the cost of the body itself, but the spells and such would be pre-made and contained in the core. Initial construction would likely be more expensive to offset the convenience. Somewhere around the manual of the relevant golem, maybe. I'm too sleepy to work out the exact increase, but a relevant question: could any non-spellcaster craftsman take a core, pop it into a construct, and have it function as usual?

I assume it's not 1 size fits all, since that'd make it far too easy.

Also, having one of those beforehand plus the Fabricate spell makes it possible to build golems almost instantly. The downside is that golems are already overpriced, and the increased cost of the core makes it worse.

Shadow Lodge

Well, you both make good points and suggestions. Originally I was thinking that yes, it would be one size fits all. Though I see the complications... though I also see problems with one core type per golem. THERE ARE SO MANY. What could a middle ground be? Maybe power levels of cores?

And as for the body, I figure to make a body from its components, maybe a feat that required a few points in Knowledge Engineering. But for repairs, anyone with the appropriate craft skill could repair the bodies.

And hmm... I'd never thought about what happens if you break the core... maybe elemental explosion? I mean nothing happens when you break a golem, right?

As for socially... the irony is these golem replaced slavery. I imagine it's not so morally taxing as most elementals are only a little smarter than predatory animals.


I'd only point out that Golems aren't necessarily made with elementals. They are made with "elemental spirits"...there's no firm agreement on what that means. Let us remember that "elemental" can mean "fundamental" as well. Indeed, D&D does, on occasion, use "elemental" to refer to things not of the elemental planes.

Scarab Sages

Oh, that's an interesting point. The older the elemental is, the more intelligent it is. They can be as smart as -or smarter than- humans.

What's going on behind the scenes with these intelligent elementals?

With the core thing, keep in mind that you're looking at a lot of golems, and a lot of industry from their labors. Consider for a moment the variety of cars that exists in our world. There's no reason a similar degree of variety couldn't exist in your world.

It's certainly within the realm of imagination that some golems are tasked as repairmen, or construction equipment, and just spend all day building replacement bodies for various common golems.

I'd take some time and look at the different golems you want to use in your world. Consider what the "basic model" would be. Everything above that is an upgraded model, and everything below it is an amateur build.

I'd probably stick with maybe two or three general use models, which cuts down on the need for a bunch of different power cores floating around. Specialized models are out there, but power cores and replacement bodies are much more difficult to find.

Alternatively, you could go with a top-down model. Each power core is rated for a specific body type. E.g., Mithril. However, the mithril power core can also power any golem of lesser cr. You can't use it to power a higher cr one though.

Shadow Lodge

I think I might make standard levels of golem based of off existing golems. Then make them upgradable via the construct rules in Ultimate Magic.

Shadow Lodge

So, so far I've written up some basic models, chassis if you will. And reading through Ultimate Magic there are some very useful ideas. But now I'm trying to figure out how to price things like, an arm that does more damage, or replacement adamantium plating.

My first thought was to say, make a store where you could buy these parts, so I'd set the bonus and price. Problem is, UM says that I price things based on CR. For a hypothetical example, if I understand correctly.... you make a CR 1 golem do damage as a size larger it goes from 500g to 2000g. If its a CR 2 golem, it goes from 2000g to 4500g.

How do I justify that? "Oh, your nicer golem cost more to add the same arm to... sorry bub." I feel like nothing else works that way, on the PC's end.

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