Golem: Difference between revisions

Formed of clay and stone, formed of sticks and bones, golems are constructed humanoids that have only recently come into existence thanks to the advent of magic. By sculpting a humanoid form and then binding it to a magical source, a golem is born. While animated objects are not very uncommon, true golems - which can act and reason independently of their creators - are exceptionally rare. Golems are born when powerful magic-users awaken Essence in an inanimate object, or an amalgamation of such objects assembled into roughly humanoid form. The exact process by which individual casters do this depends upon the source of their magic. This, in turn, typically affects the golem’s specific capabilities and personality.

With rare exception, a caster is only ever able to create one golem in their lifetime due to the intense amount of magical energy that goes into creating life from inanimate matter. This often means that a golem and its maker share an intense bond, either as great friends or terrible adversaries(as in the case of poor Viktor Shelley, who created the first golem).

Alternatively, sometimes the creation of a golem is a process that a caster is not yet prepared for, and the process kills the caster, propels them into another plane of existence, or some other dramatic fate. Perhaps your creator is another member of your party. Remember that the process of creating a golem usually requires a tremendous capacity for magic, but also exacts a high toll, so it is easy to justify your creator being only the same level as you from a mechanical standpoint. Perhaps your creator has lost much of their magical ability and hopes to reclaim it over the coming years, even if they will never again be able to create another golem.

|(1/Rest) You may cause your body to melt into an oozing substance that is the consistency of putty. This allows you to squeeze through areas as small as 1 ft wide. When you use this feature, it costs 2 AP to activate and lasts for a number of rounds equal to your END+1 (min 1 round). While using this feature, you cannot make attacks or interact with objects. Your health and defenses are unaffected. You may end this form early if you wish, costing no AP. If this ability ends while you are still transformed, you immediately reform in the nearest unoccupied space and take 1d10 Blunt [[damage]].

|When you Recoup in nonmagical sunlight, you may gain [[Shield]] HP equal to your END.

|Fundamental magic courses through you. Learn two cantrips from the Arcane Source of magic. END is your magic attribute for these cantrips.  

|You were made through strange and esoteric means. Learn one ritual of your choice from the Occult Source that has no prerequisites. END is your magic attribute for this ritual.

|The generative power of the Everwilds swells from within. Learn two chants from the Primal Source of magic. END is your magic attribute for these chants.  

|Your Essence is particularly adept. Choose one manifestation from the Psionic Source. You can cast that manifestation at will, using END.

|You learn one spell of your choice from the Arcane Source that costs 4 or fewer SP and can cast it 1/Rest using this ability. END is your magic attribute for this spell.  

|You learn one chant or spell from the Occult Source that costs 5 or fewer SP and, if a spell is [[chosen]], can cast it 1/Rest using this ability. This selection must have the Dark Power tag. END is your magic attribute for this selection.  

|You learn one divine spell of your choice that costs 5 or fewer SP. END is your magic attribute for this spell and can cast it 1/Rest using this Ability.

|While you are not wearing [[armor]], your AR and physical defenses increase by +2.

|Learn one invocation of your choice from the Primal Source that has no prerequisites and can cast it once per Take a Rest using this ability. END is your magic attribute for this spell.  

|Gain one of the following abilities that you did not choose at 1st level: Minor Photosynthesis, Oozing Movement, or Vestigial Life.

|You no longer sleep in the traditional sense, but instead remain completely motionless for 6 hours in [[order]] to rejuvenate yourself. During this time, you are Unconscious, but you retain visual and auditory awareness of your surroundings.