Brilliant Fun [Archive] - Wizards Community

Brilliant Fun [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Slagger the Chuul
02-14-05, 02:42 AM A bit of fun that I decided to stat out. To prevent it from being too boring, I threw in an extra ability for added nastiness.

Brilliant Energy Golem
Large Construct
Hit Dice: 18d10+30 (129 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
AC: 30 (-1 size, -1 Dex, +22 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 30
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+28
Attack: Slam +23 melee (2d10+11 plus brilliant melt)
Full Attack: 2 slams +23 melee (2d10+11 plus brilliant melt)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, brilliant melt
Special Qualities: Brilliant body, construct traits, damage reduction 15/magic, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to magic, low-light vision
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +6
Abilities: Str 33, Dex 9, Con --, Int --, Wis 11, Cha 1
Skills: -
Feats: -
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary or gang (2-4)
Challenge Rating: 15
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 19-24 HD (Large); 25-54 HD (Huge)

This creature is twice the height of a normal human and resembles an armoured giant, but its body is a mass of glowing light.

This golem has a humanoid body made from shining light.
A brilliant energy golem is created from an iron golem and resembles its original form, though its features are rendered indistinct by its luminous substance. Unlike iron golems, they are never armed.
A brilliant energy golem is 12 feet tall and weighs about 5,000 pounds. It cannot speak or make any vocal noise, nor does it have any distinguishable odour. It moves with a ponderous but smooth gait. Each step causes the floor to tremble unless it is on a thick, solid foundation.

COMBAT
Brilliant energy golems possess most of the original iron golem's strengths, but they are frighteningly resistant to physical attacks and armour is no protection against their devastating blows. They can also transmit a disease called brilliant melt that turns portions of the victim's flesh into viscid light.
Armour bonuses to AC (including enhancement bonuses to that armour) do not count against a brilliant energy golem's natural weapons because its attacks pass through armour. (Dexterity, deflection, dodge, natural armour, and other such bonuses still apply). Its natural weapons cannot harm undead, constructs, or objects.
Breath Weapon (Su): 20-foot cone of glowing motes, free action once every 1d4 rounds; blinds for 3d4 rounds and brilliant melt (see below), Fortitude DC 19 negates. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Brilliant Melt (Su): Supernatural disease--slam or breath weapon, Fortitude DC 19, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d3 Dex and 1d6 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Unlike normal diseases, brilliant melt continues until the victim reaches 0 Constitution (and dies) or is cured.
Brilliant melt is a side-effect of the golem's creation process, not a natural disease. A character attempting to cast any conjuration (healing) spell on a creature afflicted with brilliant melt must succeed on a DC 20 caster level check, or the spell has no effect on the afflicted character.
To eliminate brilliant melt, the effect must first be broken with break enchantment or remove curse (requiring a DC 20 caster level check for either spell), after which a caster level check is no longer necessary to cast healing spells on the victim, and the brilliant melt can be magically cured as any normal disease.
An afflicted creature who dies of brilliant melt flashes into nothingness in a burst of light.
Brilliant Body (Ex): The creature's body is composed of brilliant energy that ignores nonliving matter. It is immune to damage from manufactured weapons and to damage from the natural weapons of undead and constructs. It always gives off light as a torch (20-foot radius).
The creature remains just tangible enough to avoid falling through the floor and cannot pass through most walls, but it can move unimpeded through a wall less than 1 foot thick or through partial obstacles, such as a portcullis or net.
Immunity to Magic (Ex): A brilliant energy golem 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 spell with the darkness descriptor cast directly at a brilliant energy golem blinds it for 2d4 rounds, with no saving throw.
A spell with the light descriptor cast directly at a brilliant energy golem breaks any blindness effect and heals 1d6 points of damage per spell level. 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, a brilliant energy golem targeted by daylight gains back 3d6 hit points, since daylight is a 3rd-level spell. A brilliant energy golem gets no saving throw against spells with the light descriptor.

CONSTRUCTION
A brilliant energy golem is created from an ordinary iron golem which is transmuted into light (but its weight is unchanged). It requires 5,000 pounds of pure iron smelted with rare tinctures and admixtures, plus special luminous oils, with a total cost of 20,000 gp. Assembling the iron body requires a DC 20 Craft (armoursmithing) check or a DC 20 Craft (weaponsmithing) check. The ritual can also be used to convert an existing iron golem, in which case only the difference in gold piece and experience point costs must be paid.
Cl 16th; Craft Construct (see page 303 of the Monster Manual), cloudkill, continual flame, gaseous form, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, caster must be at least 16th level; Price 200,000 gp; Cost 100,000 gp + 7,200 XP.
Nuntius128
02-14-05, 11:21 AM Hmm... so it can only be harmed by Natural Weapons and Unarmed Strikes, then? Also, I like the Briliant Melt idea, as it sounds more like its a construct of pure radiation. Very nice. :ayyyy!: I like this one.
Slagger the Chuul
02-16-05, 12:40 AM It's interesting to note that (as per brilliant energy weapons) the weight doesn't change at all. Apparently brilliant light weighs as much as steel or wood. :)
psychognome42
02-16-05, 07:03 PM sweet, i like it. and its possibly the only thing i've ever seen that has made me want to become a monk.
Slagger the Chuul
02-17-05, 01:39 AM I don't know about that, what about Vow of Poverty? :)
Nuntius128
02-17-05, 01:05 PM I've only ever made 3 characters from VoP, myself. One was a Monk, one was a Paladin(I like this idea a LOT) and one, believe it or not was a Paladin/Monk(FAR SUPERIOR to either of the others with Ascetic Knight).

Anyhow, back on topic, yes, that is strange about Brilliant Energy's weight. I think it ought to reduce the weight(at least for weapons) by half, personally. I'd think that it probably just comes from the idea that Brilliant Energy is a magical property that allows one object to pass through solid, non-living matter, IMHO.
Slagger the Chuul
02-17-05, 09:50 PM They also probably decided it was easier not to recalculate weights, but half wouldn't be too bad.

Since this is basically a brilliant energy version of an Iron Golem (with the addition of Brilliant Melt), I don't think there's anything wrong with the weight.

A question asked by an unthinking player: "Why don't they have brilliant energy armour?"
Slagger the Chuul
02-23-05, 01:22 AM There are two things I was interested in knowing:

1. Does this seem appropriate for the given CR?
2. Has switching to magic damage reduction put too significant a dent in its power?
Nuntius128
02-23-05, 11:51 AM Brilliant Energy Armor? Cuz it'd only protect against Brilliant Energy Weapons, I expect.

Also, for a CR 15, it looks good to me, I think.
Slagger the Chuul
02-24-05, 05:37 AM I would have dismissed the idea of magic-type damage reduction at CR 15 instantly if the creature could be hit by manufactured weapons (since everyone and their dog has a magic weapon by those sort of levels), but spells like magic weapon are still readily available, which makes it a concern.

The thing about brilliant energy armour wasn't for the golem, though. It was just a complaint made after they read about brilliant energy weapons in the DMG. Of course, brilliant energy armour would still be useful against natural weapons. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Slagger the Chuul 02-14-05, 02:42 AM	A bit of fun that I decided to stat out. To prevent it from being too boring, I threw in an extra ability for added nastiness. Brilliant Energy Golem Large Construct Hit Dice: 18d10+30 (129 hp) Initiative: -1 Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares) AC: 30 (-1 size, -1 Dex, +22 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 30 Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+28 Attack: Slam +23 melee (2d10+11 plus brilliant melt) Full Attack: 2 slams +23 melee (2d10+11 plus brilliant melt) Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. Special Attacks: Breath weapon, brilliant melt Special Qualities: Brilliant body, construct traits, damage reduction 15/magic, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to magic, low-light vision Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +6 Abilities: Str 33, Dex 9, Con --, Int --, Wis 11, Cha 1 Skills: - Feats: - Environment: Any Organization: Solitary or gang (2-4) Challenge Rating: 15 Treasure: None Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: 19-24 HD (Large); 25-54 HD (Huge) This creature is twice the height of a normal human and resembles an armoured giant, but its body is a mass of glowing light. This golem has a humanoid body made from shining light. A brilliant energy golem is created from an iron golem and resembles its original form, though its features are rendered indistinct by its luminous substance. Unlike iron golems, they are never armed. A brilliant energy golem is 12 feet tall and weighs about 5,000 pounds. It cannot speak or make any vocal noise, nor does it have any distinguishable odour. It moves with a ponderous but smooth gait. Each step causes the floor to tremble unless it is on a thick, solid foundation. COMBAT Brilliant energy golems possess most of the original iron golem's strengths, but they are frighteningly resistant to physical attacks and armour is no protection against their devastating blows. They can also transmit a disease called brilliant melt that turns portions of the victim's flesh into viscid light. Armour bonuses to AC (including enhancement bonuses to that armour) do not count against a brilliant energy golem's natural weapons because its attacks pass through armour. (Dexterity, deflection, dodge, natural armour, and other such bonuses still apply). Its natural weapons cannot harm undead, constructs, or objects. Breath Weapon (Su): 20-foot cone of glowing motes, free action once every 1d4 rounds; blinds for 3d4 rounds and brilliant melt (see below), Fortitude DC 19 negates. The save DC is Constitution-based. Brilliant Melt (Su): Supernatural disease--slam or breath weapon, Fortitude DC 19, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d3 Dex and 1d6 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based. Unlike normal diseases, brilliant melt continues until the victim reaches 0 Constitution (and dies) or is cured. Brilliant melt is a side-effect of the golem's creation process, not a natural disease. A character attempting to cast any conjuration (healing) spell on a creature afflicted with brilliant melt must succeed on a DC 20 caster level check, or the spell has no effect on the afflicted character. To eliminate brilliant melt, the effect must first be broken with break enchantment or remove curse (requiring a DC 20 caster level check for either spell), after which a caster level check is no longer necessary to cast healing spells on the victim, and the brilliant melt can be magically cured as any normal disease. An afflicted creature who dies of brilliant melt flashes into nothingness in a burst of light. Brilliant Body (Ex): The creature's body is composed of brilliant energy that ignores nonliving matter. It is immune to damage from manufactured weapons and to damage from the natural weapons of undead and constructs. It always gives off light as a torch (20-foot radius). The creature remains just tangible enough to avoid falling through the floor and cannot pass through most walls, but it can move unimpeded through a wall less than 1 foot thick or through partial obstacles, such as a portcullis or net. Immunity to Magic (Ex): A brilliant energy golem 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 spell with the darkness descriptor cast directly at a brilliant energy golem blinds it for 2d4 rounds, with no saving throw. A spell with the light descriptor cast directly at a brilliant energy golem breaks any blindness effect and heals 1d6 points of damage per spell level. 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, a brilliant energy golem targeted by daylight gains back 3d6 hit points, since daylight is a 3rd-level spell. A brilliant energy golem gets no saving throw against spells with the light descriptor. CONSTRUCTION A brilliant energy golem is created from an ordinary iron golem which is transmuted into light (but its weight is unchanged). It requires 5,000 pounds of pure iron smelted with rare tinctures and admixtures, plus special luminous oils, with a total cost of 20,000 gp. Assembling the iron body requires a DC 20 Craft (armoursmithing) check or a DC 20 Craft (weaponsmithing) check. The ritual can also be used to convert an existing iron golem, in which case only the difference in gold piece and experience point costs must be paid. Cl 16th; Craft Construct (see page 303 of the Monster Manual), cloudkill, continual flame, gaseous form, geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, caster must be at least 16th level; Price 200,000 gp; Cost 100,000 gp + 7,200 XP.
Nuntius128 02-14-05, 11:21 AM	Hmm... so it can only be harmed by Natural Weapons and Unarmed Strikes, then? Also, I like the Briliant Melt idea, as it sounds more like its a construct of pure radiation. Very nice. :ayyyy!: I like this one.
Slagger the Chuul 02-16-05, 12:40 AM	It's interesting to note that (as per brilliant energy weapons) the weight doesn't change at all. Apparently brilliant light weighs as much as steel or wood. :)
psychognome42 02-16-05, 07:03 PM	sweet, i like it. and its possibly the only thing i've ever seen that has made me want to become a monk.
Slagger the Chuul 02-17-05, 01:39 AM	I don't know about that, what about Vow of Poverty? :)
Nuntius128 02-17-05, 01:05 PM	I've only ever made 3 characters from VoP, myself. One was a Monk, one was a Paladin(I like this idea a LOT) and one, believe it or not was a Paladin/Monk(FAR SUPERIOR to either of the others with Ascetic Knight). Anyhow, back on topic, yes, that is strange about Brilliant Energy's weight. I think it ought to reduce the weight(at least for weapons) by half, personally. I'd think that it probably just comes from the idea that Brilliant Energy is a magical property that allows one object to pass through solid, non-living matter, IMHO.
Slagger the Chuul 02-17-05, 09:50 PM	They also probably decided it was easier not to recalculate weights, but half wouldn't be too bad. Since this is basically a brilliant energy version of an Iron Golem (with the addition of Brilliant Melt), I don't think there's anything wrong with the weight. A question asked by an unthinking player: "Why don't they have brilliant energy armour?"
Slagger the Chuul 02-23-05, 01:22 AM	There are two things I was interested in knowing: 1. Does this seem appropriate for the given CR? 2. Has switching to magic damage reduction put too significant a dent in its power?
Nuntius128 02-23-05, 11:51 AM	Brilliant Energy Armor? Cuz it'd only protect against Brilliant Energy Weapons, I expect. Also, for a CR 15, it looks good to me, I think.
Slagger the Chuul 02-24-05, 05:37 AM	I would have dismissed the idea of magic-type damage reduction at CR 15 instantly if the creature could be hit by manufactured weapons (since everyone and their dog has a magic weapon by those sort of levels), but spells like magic weapon are still readily available, which makes it a concern. The thing about brilliant energy armour wasn't for the golem, though. It was just a complaint made after they read about brilliant energy weapons in the DMG. Of course, brilliant energy armour would still be useful against natural weapons. :D