Animated Servant [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animated Servant [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
stargate525
10-21-06, 08:11 PM Animated Servant
Transmutation
Level: Sorc/Wizard 5
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Touch
Target: two tiny objects/level
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

You give an object the barest semblance of life. The object will obey any commands given by its creator to the best of its ability, as well as anyone whom the creator tells it to. This can also be used to designate a new 'master' for the object. The object cannot attack, and any command to do so will end the spell and render the object lifeless.

An animated object can be of any nonmagical material. You may animate two Tiny or smaller object or an equivalent number of larger objects per caster level. A small object counts as two tiny or smaller objects, a Medium object counts as four. You cannot animate larger items with this spell. Sets of objects, such as a tea set or a toolkit, count as one size category higher than its actual size.

The animated object has no skills, and cannot take the aid another action. However, if the animated object is a tool or set specifically designed to be used for crafting or some other task (such as an alchemist's lab or a set of lockpicks), the animated objects grant a +2 bonus to the check in addition to any masterwork quality the object might already have. This bonus is to be treated as the bonus granted by a sucessful aid another check as if made by the tools. No other aid another bonuses may be applied if animated tools are used.

This spell cannot animate objects carried or worn by a creature.

Material Component: a small gem worth at least 500gp, which is fused into the object and lost upon spell completion, 100xp.

I got this idea from the sugarbowl in the Sword in the Stone, and was dissapointed Merlin couldn't have even created him in D&D. I tried not to step on the cleric's animate object spell too much, and I hope its balanced. What do you think?
Seeker95
10-21-06, 08:43 PM Tone it down a bit so that it can be a lower level spell. The most archetypical example of this in fantasy literature/entertainment is the sorcerer's apprentice. Although he definitely got in over his head, Mickey was still an apprentice making it work.

Making it less than permanent would be a start.
From there, a permanent version would be akin to awaken object?
Loki5654
10-21-06, 08:49 PM I don't know.

On the one hand, I like it.

On the other hand, animate objects is a 6th level spell. The version above is permanent and includes the loyalty clause. Seems like somethings off, I just can't put my finger on it.
Magicianguy131
10-21-06, 11:49 PM You guys are saying it is like Animate Object. It is but it cant attack or really do anything then its main fuction. Such as you could animate a puppet to serve you tea or animate a door to open ect. If you use Animate Objects (WHICH NEEDS TO BE ARCANE!) on a coat rack it can attack with all of its Parka power. The puppet can not.

I would say make it level 5 and increase the XP to 50 and all shall be good.
User5127
10-21-06, 11:55 PM mabye not permanent, but one week /level seems long enough. and with it it would make more sense for the creature to just stopp all of a sudden. ^_^
Pennyforth
10-22-06, 07:17 AM I agree that the duration needs to be less than permanent. Shorten the duration with the qualifier that the spell is a candidate for permanency.

Chuck
stargate525
10-22-06, 02:01 PM Animated Servant
Transmutation
Level: Sorc/Wizard 5
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Touch
Target: two tiny objects per level
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

You give an object the barest semblance of life. The object will obey any commands given by its creator to the best of its ability, as well as anyone whom the object perceives as a 'friend' to its creator. The object cannot attack, and any command to do so will end the spell and render the object lifeless.

An animated object can be of any nonmagical material. You may animate two Tiny or smaller object or an equivalent number of larger objects per caster level. A small object counts as two tiny or smaller objects, a Medium object counts as four. You cannot animate larger items with this spell.

This spell cannot animate objects carried or worn by a creature.

Material Component: a small gem worth at least 500gp, which is fused into the object and lost upon spell completion, 100xp.

This a little bit better? I upped the spell level, increased the material and experience costs, and limited the spell in what siza it could animate.

Such as you could animate a puppet to serve you tea...
or just animate the tea set to serve itself. ;)
User5127
10-22-06, 11:13 PM IIRC.. isn't awaken instantaneous?

if so. then for a greater xp cost and material cost and hgiherlevel, you could change permanent to instantaneuos... that'd be neat. but i like hte spell ^_^
Cherubaddon
10-22-06, 11:16 PM I seriously love the first version! As the servant can't fight, I doubt it will be unbalancing, and the idea is great! If you don't mind, I'll immediately copy it for further use.
Part-Human2
10-23-06, 03:12 AM Um, Aid Another action by dozens of Tiny Constructs? Yeh, abuse time! Seriously, I'm against it as it stands.

Animate Objects (6th level) + Permanency (6th level) + Awaken Construct (9th level) + has to obey commands. For your combined spell the reduction in level and cost is in exchange for that they have to be tiny and cannot attack? Doesn't sound right -- both Permanency & Awaken Construct costs XP.

Oh, oh, nevermind, I found a better comparison;. Minor Servitor (Wiz 5, Clr7, Savage Species) is permanent, grants 3d6 INT, +1d3 CHA and is for 1 object 1 cu ft/level but it also costs XP (250 xp/cu ft).
stargate525
10-25-06, 01:12 PM :bump:

Um, Aid Another action by dozens of Tiny Constructs? Yeh, abuse time! Seriously, I'm against it as it stands.
I didn't think of that, but I doubt any right-minded DM would give you any bonus becuase of these things.

I take that back, I can see an additional +1 or +2 if you wanted to animate your crafting tools or something... though I designed it with the intention of dishes and teacups, not hammers and pliers.
User5127
10-26-06, 11:18 AM well add in to the errata for the spell that you can't use the servant for the aid another action. since its a servant with not INT and no ability to attack it would be hard for it to aid you otherwise...
stargate525
11-07-06, 06:25 PM :bump:

Updated the spell...
User5127
11-07-06, 11:49 PM the update is pretty fleshed out.
I don't see any abusive ways to use this.

The spell would be very nice. and I can see my wizard using it to animate a whole work shp to do things for him, I'd animate my slippers to put themselve on for me, animate my clothes to dress myself, etc... animate my tooth brush.. now its an electric one.

The Stargate525 Oscillating Toothbrush!
cleans better than an ordinary toothbrush, with its new and improved speed of 50ft, it can clean you teeth in just a fraction of the time. important for keeping your pearly whites, white!

:D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
stargate525 10-21-06, 08:11 PM	Animated Servant Transmutation Level: Sorc/Wizard 5 Components: V, S, M Casting Time: 10 minutes Range: Touch Target: two tiny objects/level Duration: permanent Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: No You give an object the barest semblance of life. The object will obey any commands given by its creator to the best of its ability, as well as anyone whom the creator tells it to. This can also be used to designate a new 'master' for the object. The object cannot attack, and any command to do so will end the spell and render the object lifeless. An animated object can be of any nonmagical material. You may animate two Tiny or smaller object or an equivalent number of larger objects per caster level. A small object counts as two tiny or smaller objects, a Medium object counts as four. You cannot animate larger items with this spell. Sets of objects, such as a tea set or a toolkit, count as one size category higher than its actual size. The animated object has no skills, and cannot take the aid another action. However, if the animated object is a tool or set specifically designed to be used for crafting or some other task (such as an alchemist's lab or a set of lockpicks), the animated objects grant a +2 bonus to the check in addition to any masterwork quality the object might already have. This bonus is to be treated as the bonus granted by a sucessful aid another check as if made by the tools. No other aid another bonuses may be applied if animated tools are used. This spell cannot animate objects carried or worn by a creature. Material Component: a small gem worth at least 500gp, which is fused into the object and lost upon spell completion, 100xp. I got this idea from the sugarbowl in the Sword in the Stone, and was dissapointed Merlin couldn't have even created him in D&D. I tried not to step on the cleric's animate object spell too much, and I hope its balanced. What do you think?
Seeker95 10-21-06, 08:43 PM	Tone it down a bit so that it can be a lower level spell. The most archetypical example of this in fantasy literature/entertainment is the sorcerer's apprentice. Although he definitely got in over his head, Mickey was still an apprentice making it work. Making it less than permanent would be a start. From there, a permanent version would be akin to awaken object?
Loki5654 10-21-06, 08:49 PM	I don't know. On the one hand, I like it. On the other hand, animate objects is a 6th level spell. The version above is permanent and includes the loyalty clause. Seems like somethings off, I just can't put my finger on it.
Magicianguy131 10-21-06, 11:49 PM	You guys are saying it is like Animate Object. It is but it cant attack or really do anything then its main fuction. Such as you could animate a puppet to serve you tea or animate a door to open ect. If you use Animate Objects (WHICH NEEDS TO BE ARCANE!) on a coat rack it can attack with all of its Parka power. The puppet can not. I would say make it level 5 and increase the XP to 50 and all shall be good.
User5127 10-21-06, 11:55 PM	mabye not permanent, but one week /level seems long enough. and with it it would make more sense for the creature to just stopp all of a sudden. ^_^
Pennyforth 10-22-06, 07:17 AM	I agree that the duration needs to be less than permanent. Shorten the duration with the qualifier that the spell is a candidate for permanency. Chuck
stargate525 10-22-06, 02:01 PM	Animated Servant Transmutation Level: Sorc/Wizard 5 Components: V, S, M Casting Time: 10 minutes Range: Touch Target: two tiny objects per level Duration: permanent Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: No You give an object the barest semblance of life. The object will obey any commands given by its creator to the best of its ability, as well as anyone whom the object perceives as a 'friend' to its creator. The object cannot attack, and any command to do so will end the spell and render the object lifeless. An animated object can be of any nonmagical material. You may animate two Tiny or smaller object or an equivalent number of larger objects per caster level. A small object counts as two tiny or smaller objects, a Medium object counts as four. You cannot animate larger items with this spell. This spell cannot animate objects carried or worn by a creature. Material Component: a small gem worth at least 500gp, which is fused into the object and lost upon spell completion, 100xp. This a little bit better? I upped the spell level, increased the material and experience costs, and limited the spell in what siza it could animate. Such as you could animate a puppet to serve you tea... or just animate the tea set to serve itself. ;)
User5127 10-22-06, 11:13 PM	IIRC.. isn't awaken instantaneous? if so. then for a greater xp cost and material cost and hgiherlevel, you could change permanent to instantaneuos... that'd be neat. but i like hte spell ^_^
Cherubaddon 10-22-06, 11:16 PM	I seriously love the first version! As the servant can't fight, I doubt it will be unbalancing, and the idea is great! If you don't mind, I'll immediately copy it for further use.
Part-Human2 10-23-06, 03:12 AM	Um, Aid Another action by dozens of Tiny Constructs? Yeh, abuse time! Seriously, I'm against it as it stands. Animate Objects (6th level) + Permanency (6th level) + Awaken Construct (9th level) + has to obey commands. For your combined spell the reduction in level and cost is in exchange for that they have to be tiny and cannot attack? Doesn't sound right -- both Permanency & Awaken Construct costs XP. Oh, oh, nevermind, I found a better comparison;. Minor Servitor (Wiz 5, Clr7, Savage Species) is permanent, grants 3d6 INT, +1d3 CHA and is for 1 object 1 cu ft/level but it also costs XP (250 xp/cu ft).
stargate525 10-25-06, 01:12 PM	:bump: Um, Aid Another action by dozens of Tiny Constructs? Yeh, abuse time! Seriously, I'm against it as it stands. I didn't think of that, but I doubt any right-minded DM would give you any bonus becuase of these things. I take that back, I can see an additional +1 or +2 if you wanted to animate your crafting tools or something... though I designed it with the intention of dishes and teacups, not hammers and pliers.
User5127 10-26-06, 11:18 AM	well add in to the errata for the spell that you can't use the servant for the aid another action. since its a servant with not INT and no ability to attack it would be hard for it to aid you otherwise...
stargate525 11-07-06, 06:25 PM	:bump: Updated the spell...
User5127 11-07-06, 11:49 PM	the update is pretty fleshed out. I don't see any abusive ways to use this. The spell would be very nice. and I can see my wizard using it to animate a whole work shp to do things for him, I'd animate my slippers to put themselve on for me, animate my clothes to dress myself, etc... animate my tooth brush.. now its an electric one. The Stargate525 Oscillating Toothbrush! cleans better than an ordinary toothbrush, with its new and improved speed of 50ft, it can clean you teeth in just a fraction of the time. important for keeping your pearly whites, white! :D