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| #1grimgrinMar 11, 2008 21:57:19 | Clockwork Congress Clockwork creatures have long been the toys and tools of the wealthy elite. They have been expressly crafted to perform the tasks considered too hazardous, filthy, or monotonous for flesh and blood creatures. The fact that clockwork creatures are sentient and have emotional drives and desires is a fact patently denied by most and violently suppressed. Clockwork creatures that desire freedom from their masters have created a rebel movement called the Clockwork Congress. The Clockwork Congress is composed of clandestine cells. Each cell has only a few members (1d20) and can only contact other cells through a network of blind drops. The compartmentalization of the movement has allowed it to flourish even though its members are often hunted by the government, vigilante groups, and factory consortiums. Each cell sets its own goals and tactics. Some cells struggle for social change through peaceful means while others engage in acts of terrorism and blackmail. Clockwork Creature (Template) A Clockwork Creature is a mechanical copy of any corporeal creature. Different than a golem, this creature has an independent intelligence and can make its own decisions. Its actions and abilities reflect the duplicated creature, but it lacks any of the innate magic or supernatural abilities of the species. Instead the creature is equipped with alchemical substitutes that must be refilled. For example, a clockwork giant spider lacks the venom and silk of an organic spider, but possesses a hypodermic poison and a tangle-foot dispenser. Each alchemical substitute has a number of uses equal to its CON modifier or at least one dose. A Clockwork Creature has many the traits of a construct including the inability to heal normally. Instead the Creature can be repaired. A Craft (clockwork) roll versus a 20 DC will repair 1D10 hp per hour. Magic can also repair the machine: Mending repairs 1 hp, Fabricate replaces 5D8+5 hit points, and Iron Body restores all lost hit points. All Clockwork Creature with a commercial or military use are given a “Prime Directive”. This feature affects the machine the same as a Geas or Quest spell. The most common directives are to fulfill a manufacturing or harvesting quota each day, to defend a specific person or place, or to obey to verbal commands of a specific person or military rank. To create a Clockwork Creature costs 50,000 gp plus 1000 gp per Hit Die of the creature duplicated. Crafting the body requires a Craft (clockwork) skill roll (DC= 20 plus the HD of the creature). One third of the creation cost is for precious metals, one third if for its gemstone eyes, and one third is used during the creation ritual. The creator does not have to be a spellcaster to create a clockwork creature and the clockwork is not a magical object. Creature Type: Clockwork Size: As base creature Hit Dice: As base creature, but converted to D10 Initiative: As base creature Speed: As base creature AC: As base creature. Attacks: As base creature Damage: As base creature Face/Reach: As base creature Special Attacks: Alchemical Substitute Special Qualities: Acid Resistance: 5*, Clockwork Traits, Alchemical Substitute Special Vulnerabilities: Spell Vulnerability Saves: As base creature Attributes: As base creature Skills: As base creature Feats: As base creature Climate: Any Organization: As base creature CR: As base creature Treasure: 50% metals, 50% gems Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: By class only Alchemical Substitute: Any natural spell-like abilities or special abilities are mimicked by an alchemical solution. These substitutes are limited to a number of uses equal to its CON modifier or at least one dose. Acid Resistance: The metal skin of the Clockwork Creature provides an Acid Resistance of 5 since their metal hides are less vulnerable to corrosives. Acid Resistance 5 replaces the DR 5/blugeoning of the original in C&K. Clockwork Traits A clockwork creature possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry). • All clockworks have a Constitution score representing their sturdiness and the endurance of there mainspring. Unlike "constructs" they gain no bonus Hit Point due to their size. • Clockwork creatures only have Low Light Vision or Darkvision if the creature they are imitating possesses that ability. • Clockwork creatures are ordinarily unable to swim unless the creature they are imitating is aquatic. In that case the clockwork sea creature is built around a ballast tank that provides buoyancy in water. • Clockwork creatures are not immune to mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects) since their clockwork minds are designed to imitate the attributes of living creatures. • Clockwork creatures have immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, and necromancy effects. On the other hand, ointments, potions, heal checks, and healing magic has no effect on clockworks. • Clockwork creatures cannot heal damage on their own, but often can be repaired by magic or through the use of the Craft Clockwork feat. A Creature with the fast healing special quality still benefits from that quality. Clockwork creatures can not be raised from the dead and are instantly destroyed when knocked below zero hit points. • Clockwork creatures are subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain. All of these effects represent strain or damage to the internal mechanisms within a clockwork creature. All clockworks must consume a pint of oil daily to remain in peak condition but have no need of food or water. • Clockworks are not effected by magical attacks that target living tissue such as inflict disease (unless the spell effect also works on metal objects, constructs, or is harmless). Heat Metal, Chill Metal, and Rusting Grasp inflict hit point damage to the clockwork. In addition any spell or ability that targets “constructs” has an equal effect on clockworks. • Clockworks are not at risk of death from massive damage, but are immediately destroyed when reduced to 0 hit points or less. Since it was never alive, a Clockwork Creature cannot be raised or resurrected. Only a "wish" spell or similar powerful magic can rebuild a clockwork creature. • Because its body is a metal plates and gears, a clockwork creature is hard to destroy. It has an acid resistance of 5 due to its metallic skin*. • A clockwork creature is proficient with its natural weapons only, unless generally humanoid in form, in which case proficient with any weapon mentioned in its entry or by class. • Clockwork Creatures do not eat, sleep, or breathe, but can become exhausted from labor as their mainspring winds down and require one pint of oil per day to run at peak efficiency. The clockwork in effect will "starve" without its daily oil supply. • Clockworks have no sense of taste or smell. They can not make an ability or skill check regarding scent or taste. Any clockwork creature with the "Scent" ability gains the "Track" feat instead. Spell Vulnerability: Any successful “sand” based attack will immediately paralyze the clockwork creature for 1d4+1 rounds. A “grease” spell will free the clockwork from paralysis. Physical Penalties: The Creature can’t use potions or swim unless imitating an aquatic creature. Healing spells and positive energy has no effect on them. Clockwork Characters A clockwork Creature of any PC race has all the abilities and attribute modifiers of that race except magical abilities are converted to alchemical substitutes that must be restocked after use. Additionally regardless of the stated favored class of the imitated race the clockworks favored class is Rogue. The ECL of the imitated race also applies to the Creature. The hit dice of the character is by its class rather than the “clockwork” standard D10. Clockwork Armies One common use for clockwork creatures is in military forces. Clockwork soldiers don’t need to eat, sleep, and are considered by many military strategists as expendable. Clockwork horses, mules, and oxen have no need for food or water and can be crafted to be utterly obedient to their riders. Poison Gas, negative energy bursts, and sleep spells can be used with impunity among these creatures since they are unaffected by these attacks. Some officers give clockworks suicidal orders to distract or slow an rival army’s advance. White, Red, and Black parties all maintain sizable armies of Clockwork Creatures. |
| #2grimgrinMar 11, 2008 21:59:22 | White Clockworks The White Party uses clockwork soldiers to guard royal properties and persons. A troop of clockworks may be tasked with the defense of a strategic structure such as a bridge, gate, or warehouse. These clockwork soldiers are also tasked with enforcing tolls and maintaining these structures. Clockworks are also used to perform services for the crown that must remain utterly secret. The clockworks performing these covert operations are often designed to self destruct if captured and are often destroyed after performing their mission. Fighters, Rangers, and Scouts best represent White Clockwork Soldiers. The White Party also has the most clockwork servants of all the color parties. These clockworks designs cater to the wealth that wish constant and dedicated service for their households and persons. A clockwork servant is considered a status symbol of wealth and sophistication. May of these clockworks are trained to perform either musically or acrobatically and can be considered to be Rogues, Monks, or Bards. WHITE KNIGHT CLOCKWORK Clockwork Male Aasimar Pal 8, Cr 8, LG, Str 16 (+3), Dex 15 (+2), Con 15 (+2), Int 8 (-1), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 20 (+5), Size: M (5' 7”, 250 lb), Skin: Silver Metallic, Eyes: Red, Hair: None Total Hit Points: 61, Init: +0 (DEX +0), Speed: 20 feet [armor] Armor Class: 20 = 10 +8 [armor] +2 DEX Touch AC: 12 Flat-footed: 18 Fortitude save: +13 = 6 [base] +2 [constitution] +5 [paladin charisma] Reflex save: +7 = 2 [base] +5 [paladin charisma] Will save: +9 = 2 [base] +2 [wisdom] +5 [paladin charisma] Attack (handheld): +11/+6 = 8 [base] +3 [strength] Attack (unarmed): +11/+6 = 8 [base] +4 [strength] Attack (missile): +10/+5 = 8 [base] +2 [dexterity] Grapple check: +12/+7 = 8 [base] +4 [strength] Languages: Common WEAPONS MW Cold Iron Spiked Gauntlet [1d4, crit x2, 1 lb, light, piercing]: 310gp MW Cold Iron Spiked Gauntlet [1d4, crit x2, 1 lb. light, piercing]: 310gp MW Dark Wood Lance [1d8, crit x3, 10lbs, One handed mounted, piercing]: 410gp ARMOR Mithral Breastplate (+5 AC, +5 Max DEX, -1 Check, 15% arcane spell failure): 4200gp +1 Arrow Catching Heavy Dark Wood Shield (+3 AC +1 Def vs. projectiles, -2 Check, 15% failure): 4110gp FEATS: Divine Vigor (CW), Divine Shield (CW), Two Weapon Fighting KEY SKILLS: Diplomacy (5 ranks + CHA +5) = 10 Disguise = +5, Gather Information = +5, Intimidate = +5 Heal (Wis +2) = +2, Spot/Listen (Wis +2 +2 [aasimar]) = +4, Sense Motive (Wis +2) = +2 Jump (Str* +4 -6 [speed 20]) = -2 Ride (6 ranks + DEX +0) = +6 * = check penalty for wearing armor First-level Paladin spells: 2 (1+1) per day Second-level Paladin spells: 1 (0+1) per day Aasimar Spells: “Light” once per day (alchemical flare) Special: Clockwork Traits, Acid, Cold, & Electricity resistance 5, Darkvision (see 60 feet in pitch-dark) Paladin Abilities: Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Smite Evil (2x/day; add +5 to melee attack roll, paladin levels to damage), Divine Grace, Lay on Hands, Aura of Courage, Divine Health, Turn Undead (8x/day), Special Mount, Remove Disease, Code of Conduct / Association WHITE KNIGHT's Equipment: Total Weight 72 lbs _____ Weapons / Armor (from above): 65lbs Case (for map or scroll) Ink vial Ink pen Paper sheets x4 Parchment sheets x4 Pouch x1 Sealing wax Signet ring Soap Whetstone Holy symbol (wooden) Spell component pouch Paladin Mount: Clockwork Warhorse (heavy) Large Clockwork Hit dice 8d10 (44 hit points) Initiative +1 (Dex) Speed 60 feet AC: 20 ( -1 large +1 Dex +10 natural) Attacks: 2 Hooves +10 melee; Bite +5 melee; Damage 1d6+5 (2 hooves); 1d4+2 (bite); Special Qualities: Track Saves: Fort +9; Ref +7; Will +3 Abilities: Str 20, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 7, Wis 13, Cha 6 Skills: Listen +7; Spot +7, Survival +5 SPECIAL: Clockwork Traits, Acid Resistance: 5 Empathic link; Improved evasion; Share spells; Share saving throws, Improved speed The White Knight is designed as a royal companion and sacred guardian. Unlike most clockworks, the White Knight empathizes on social skills and pious devotion. This clockwork creature is based on the Aasimar Paladin. The “daylight” spell is mimicked by alchemical flare guns built into the machine. Blessed mechanical components are incorporated into the clockwork to allow it to channel “divine” energy like a paladin. It is often tasked with important missions such as bonded courier, bodyguard, or temple guardian. |
| #3grimgrinMar 11, 2008 22:00:52 | Red Clockworks The Red Party is chiefly concerned with the acquisition and security of wealth. Clockworks created by the Red Party are used to benefit their business enterprises. Troops of Mercenary Red Clockworks are provided to the highest bidder. Most of these contracts are held by the White Party to protect its interests, but red party clockworks are temporarily employed by wealthy merchants and warlords as well. The Red Party has no sense of sentimentality toward clockworks. Old clockworks are often scrapped or scavenged to provide the materials to create new clockworks. Having the latest designs is a point of pride among the Red Party. Red Clockwork mercenaries are often Fighters, Rogues, Rangers, and Scouts. The Red Party is also the only color party that also creates clockworks intended to cast spells. These magical mercenary clockworks possess the advanced mental capabilities required to cast high level wizardry. Highly intelligent clockworks are also used in accounting and secretarial functions. These clockworks often gain a measure of respect and deference due to the people they represent or their mastery of the information in their custody and they tend to gather gossip and trivia. These bean counters are often part of the Factotum class. The Red Party also constructs clockworks designed to labor in farms, factories, and mines. These crude clockworks are often poorly maintained and are kept chained to their work areas. The Red Party labor clockworks are the most disaffected machines and are the source of most of the Clockwork Congress’s membership. Labor clockworks are often equivalent to Commoners and Experts in class abilities. The Red Party is the most likely source of experimental designs. They are constantly creating new clockworks to attract buyers or impress their fellows. Exotic Red Clockworks are often crafted into monstrous and aberrant forms. BLOOD-WING A Blood-Wing is clockwork designed for aerial reconnaissance. It can report enemy troop movements or snipe at ground troops from above. This creature was created by taking a human ranger and applying the “winged template” (SS) and clockwork template. Blood-Wing, male clockwork winged humanoid Rgr7; CR 8, Size M (5ft 6in), HD 7d8+14; hp 60, Init +10 (+6 DEX, +4 Imp Init); Spd 20ft (armor), Flight Speed 40ft (Perfect); AC 20 (+5 armor, +2 shield, +3 DEX) Touch 13, Flat Footed 17; Attack +8/+3 melee or +13/+8 ranged;SV Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +7, AL N, STR 12, DEX 23, CON 14, INT 12, WIS 20, CHA 12. SPECIAL: Clockwork Traits, Acid Resistance: 5 Languages Spoken: Common, Dwarven Skills: Craft (Weaponsmith) +6, Craft (Trapmaking) +11, Hide +13, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +9, Knowledge (Geography) +10, Knowledge (Nature) +10, Listen +5, Move Silently +14, Spot +14, Survival +15, Tumble +5 FEATS AND CLASS ABILITIES: Evasion, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Manyshot, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Rapid Reload (Light), Track Ranger Spells Per Day: 1st: 2 EQUIPMENT: 55lbs total. Breastplate (+5 AC, Max DEX +3, -4 check, 25%, 30lbs) Heavy Steel Shield (+2 AC, -2 check, 15%, 15lbs) +1 Seeking Light Crossbow (1d8+1, crit 19-20, RI 80ft, 4lbs, piercing) MW 20 crossbow bolts (2 lbs) Cold Iron Longsword (1d8, crit 19-20, 4lbs, slashing) |
| #4grimgrinMar 11, 2008 22:02:18 | Black Clockworks The Black Party cares more about power than appearance. Their clockwork designs reflect this attitude. Most Black Party clockworks are have crudely riveted skins and are decorated with tuffs of fur and smears of blood. What these clockworks lack in finesse they make up in sheer power. The Black Party is the only one to employ massive numbers of Barbarian Clockworks. The Black Party also has a fetish for size and create giant clockworks to use as siege engines on the battlefield. The black party does not maintain vast factories or numerous clockwork servants. Clockwork creations tend to be unique machines hand crafted by a single machinist and his or her apprentices. Unlike the other color parties, a clockwork can occupy a position of political power within the black party. The members of the black party will respect the power and guile of the clockwork creature rather than focus on its origins. The Black Hearts are famous for their vermin inspired clockworks. INFERNAL THIEF The Infernal Thief is a clockwork creature skilled in theft and the manipulation of darkness. The Infernal clockwork is created with profane mechanical parts that grant it divine powers. This creature was created by creating a Tiefling Rogue and applying the clockwork template. Infernal Thief, female teifling Rog8: CR 8, Size M (4ft 11in), HD 8d6+8; hp 39, Init: +6 (+6 DEX), Attack +7/+2 melee or +12/+7 ranged, SV Fort +3, Ref +12, Will +6; AL CE, STR 12, DEX 22, CON 12, INT 17, WIS 18, CHA 12. Languages Spoken: Common, Infernal, Draconic, Gnome, Goblin. SPECIAL: Clockwork Traits, Acid/Cold/Fire/Elec. Resistance 5, Darkvision 60ft, Darkness (Sp): A tiefling can use darkness once per day (caster level equal to class levels). Skills: Appraise +13, Bluff +12, Disable Device +14, Forgery +14, Hide +17, Knowledge (Local) +14, Listen +14, Move Silently +17, Open Lock +19, Search +15, Sense Motive +13, Use Rope +5, Climb +12 Class Abilities and Feats: Evasion, Nimble Fingers, Quick Draw, Improved Feint Equipment: 9400gp in gear. • +1 Shadow, Silent Moves Leather Armor (+1 AC, Max DEX +6, 10%, 15lbs): 8805gp • MW Silver Dagger (1d4, crit 19-20, RI 10ft, 1lb, piercing or slashing) • 10 MW Darts (1d4, crit x2, RI 20ft, 5lbs, piercing) • 50ft Silk Rope and Grapple |
| #5grimgrinMar 11, 2008 22:03:54 | Bottled Brains Bottled Brains are the pickled remains of a humanoid creature preserved in a briny solution. Initially, Bottle Brains were an attempt at immortality by preserving the mind in the hope that it would eventually be provided a new youthful body after the death of the original. Hundreds of people bought into the scam but they were never brought back to life. Some of these Bottled Brains have been equipped with voices and clockwork sensors so that they can interact with the living. A few have been attached to clockwork bodies with which they can resume their former lives. The vast majority have fallen into the clutches of unscrupulous necromancers for use in their arcane experiments. Some of these experiments have had unexpected dividends. Intelligent Magic Items: Some necromancers incorporate undead brains into the creation of their magic items. The intelligence of the magic item represents psyche of the former sentient. Some of these Bottled Brains resent their captivity and are hostile to their users; others are resigned to their condition; and a few embrace their new condition. Some of these brains are attached to a wall or doorway as a permanent guardian. Usually the undead brain is encased in transparent globe or cylinder of glass attached to the magic item; hence the name “bottled brains”. A fragment of brain is often used in devices that are capable of spell storage. Ethereal Network: Necromancers have found that if a lobotomized brain is divided into sections and placed within a special arcane apparatus that instantaneous communication between the brain sections still occurs. This phenomenon is called the Ethereal Network (a.k.a. EtherNet). By immersing their own minds into these spiritual linked matrixes, anyone can interact and communicate in a virtual reality composed of the dreams and nightmares of the dissected brains (Necroscape). People who acquired vast knowledge during their lifetimes are particularly valued since this information remains within the catacombs of its undead mind. Within the Ethereal Net only mental attributes matter. INT counts as STR. WIS counts as DEX. CHA counts as CON. In the Ethereal Net the character is limited to his class and racial abilities, skills, spell knowledge, and any virtual objects he finds within the net. No virtual object can be removed from the Ethereal Net either. Any wounds the character takes in the ethereal net are taken from its hit point total. A character that dies at the hands of a dream beast dies in real life. The EtherNet Interface costs 1000gp plus an additional 2000gp x Deflection Bonus squared that the interface provides to the user within the Ethereal Network. Brain tissue slides can be added to you interface to increase the number of brain networks (Necroscapes) it can connect. Canned Preserves: A canned preserve is a nickname given to creature that has its undead brain attached to a clockwork body. The simplest way to create any of these creatures is to apply the clockwork template to any undead corporeal creature. Unlike other types of clockworks, this creature remains undead and keeps any special qualities or special attacks it had as an undead. The only advantage to this transformation is that the undead creature is no longer vulnerable to positive energy. The undead creature can still be “turned/rebuked” as normal. |
| #6harpyprinceMar 16, 2008 17:39:06 | This is great for the steampunk campaign I'm trying to start. A+ work. |
| #7grimgrinMar 19, 2008 18:00:09 | Put all the above information, wooden green clockworks and my "clockwork grafts" table on a PDF: http://grimgrin4488.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/clockwork_congress.pdf |