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RaidoHaglaz 08-26-07, 02:20 PM

I have made a description for an artifact found in Xen'drik. It is a small humanoid construct that is able to form into a ball when inactive. I am going to use it in Sharn, where it is stolen by a gang of crooks. The PC's are hired to bring it back, but when they do, something wholly new unfolds as they discover that the ball isn't just a ball (resulting in a chase through the city, hopefully). The thing is, the artifact has just been brought back from Xen'drik and hasn't properly been examined by the experts of Morgrave. The question I have is: is there something that would be best to change about it, to keep it a low CR. I'm not a hero in creating monsters (this is my first) and I don't know if the CR I gave it works with the things it can do. I would appreciate some comments and please, steal it if you like it. Here is the creature: Clockwork serf (Ancient Xen’drik Servant Construct) Size/Type: Small Construct Hit Dice: 4d10+10 (30 hp) Initiative: +0 Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares) Armor Class: 16 (10 + 1 size + 5 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 15 Base Attack/Grapple: +3 Attack: Slam +10 melee (2d4+1) Full Attack: Slam +10 melee (2d4+1) Space/Reach: 5 ft/ 5 ft Special Attacks: - Special Qualities: Construct traits, Morph (Ex) Saves: Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +4 Abilities: Str 12, Dex 10, Con 0, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 1 Skills: Balance +1, Climb +2, Jump +2 Feats: - CR: 3 The strangely formed ball stirs and with the sound of scraping metal and soft whirrs, it turns into a small metal humanoid. It’s crude features bear the marks of ancient existence, as it’s rust covered metal is littered with scratches and dents. Found in the ruins of Xen’drik, this construct was most likely constructed to serve the wealthiest of the ancient Giant civilization. Due to the absence of social skills, it was probably used to perform menial tasks in places that were not reachable by elf slaves or had to be performed constantly. Clockwork serfs are able to change their shape from humanoid to a ball form, in which they are not able to take any action. Changing shape is done when given a proper command to do so (in Giant), or when the serf has not performed a task for an hour. Tasks are willingly performed by the serf, but it can't understand any language other than Giant. Clockwork serfs understand Giant, but are not able to speak or write it. Combat When hit with any weapon, a clockwork serf will morph into it’s humanoid form, if it isn’t already. It is not proficient with any sort of weapon or armor, but is not prohibit from using it. As a clockwork serf’s purpose is not to fight but to serve, it will always try to flee and use violence only when unavoidable. Any command given to the serf in Giant will be obeyed, regardless of it's own safety. Immunity to magic (Ex) A clockwork serf is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below. A magical attack that deals electricity damage slows an iron golem (as the slow spell) for 3 rounds, with no saving throw. A magical attack that deals fire damage breaks any slow effect on the serf and heals 1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal. If the amount of healing would cause the golem to exceed its full normal hit points, it gains any excess as temporary hit points. For example, an iron golem hit by a fireball gains back 6 hit points if the damage total is 18 points. An iron golem gets no saving throw against fire effects. An iron golem is affected normally by rust attacks, such as that of a rust monster or a rusting grasp spell. Morph (Ex) As a full round action, a serf can change it’s form from ball to humanoid, or vice versa. Doing so requires it to be able to move all it’s limbs, as well as not carrying object, or being grappled. While in ball form, a serf is not able to undertake any action and it is not aware of it’s surrounding, it can only notice things that touch it. While in ball form, it’s natural armor increases to +8, as it is completely covered in it’s metal plating.