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Is creation magic old secrets rediscovered,
established traditions, or new teachings
If creation magic is well established, then there will be
a choice of mentors for budding apprentices, well-known
and safe arcane formulae for specific items and entities,
and a general consensus on what is and what is not
appropriate.
If creation magic is ancient lore, which has been
partially or wholly lost for centuries, then there will be
few sources of knowledge and much of a creator’s effort
will involve arduous quests to uncover the secrets. GMs
may reserve some spell lists, items, Simulacra formulae,
and so on as only available through adventuring. Why
did the lore become forgotten Did something go terribly
wrong Are there secret societies (religious or otherwise)
that want to ensure the magic stays lost
If creation magic is a new arcane development, then
every creator is on their own. New discoveries may be
zealously guarded, leading to potential “industrial espionage”.
Patrons may be required for funding or protection.
Setbacks can become major disasters – the local authorities
may exile a wizard who unwittingly unleashes dangerous
constructs. Conservative elements may try to block
experiments, religious authorities may denounce them,
and the local populace may simply be terrified.
Different types of creation magic may have differing
pedigrees, e.g. Golems and Constructs might be established,
Simulacra and Changelings lost lore, and Automata
and Amalgams the new wave.
Who are the creators
Can anyone become a Creator or are there social,
cultural, or racial requirements Do aspiring Creators
join Guilds or apprentice themselves to senior wizards
Are there any individuals or organizations that are supportive
of creation magic Is there any organized opposition
to creation magic Who are they and how do they
recruit new members
What is the impact on society
The impact depends on the number and kind of
Automata and entities as well as the type of society.
Automata are more likely to revolutionize society than
artificial entities.
In a slave-based economy or other society where labor is
cheap and plentiful, the results of creation magic will
only be used for applications where slaves cannot be used
(elite bodyguards) or the task can only be achieved using
magic (particular modes of travel).
In feudal societies, creation magic will be used where
it can give a lord the edge over his rivals. Nobles will
acquire advantages in specific areas, not in all, and
jealousy will serve to limit cross-pollination of ideas.
In post-feudal societies, the value of increased efficiency
and costs savings associated with magical machines
and artificial workers will be clear. Making evergreater
profits will drive progress for better Machine
Automata especially. Industry is likely to be transformed
from craftsmen working in their own homes and shops
to factory workers servicing machines. Some types of
unskilled and semi-skilled work will disappear, but the
102 CONSTRUCT COMPANION
relative simplicity of Machine Automata functionality
will preserve more skilled careers. Agriculture and mining,
particularly in dangerous conditions, may justify the
expense of entities. The displacement of human workers
may lead to “Luddite”-style outbreaks of machine breaking.
For all societies, the widespread adoption of offensive
Automata will require alterations in warfare.
Battlewagons and Metal Leviathans will smash through
infantry formations, whilst being impervious to most
archers and cavalry. Ornithopters and Skyriders will
make aerial observation and warfare practical, while
submarines will provide new opportunities for amphibious
operations and seaborne commerce raiding. In peace,
Vehicle Automata will offer new possibilities for longrange
transport, trade and exploration. Supporting a
new road network and fuel infrastructure may provide
gainful employment for many adventurers.
Do entities have rights Are they “human”
too
Are all artificial entities “things” which can be created,
owned, and destroyed at the whim of their possessors If
a human soul is imbedded into a Golem or Construct,
does the artificial entity gain (retain) the rights and
responsibilities accorded by law, custom, or belief to
“normal” human beings” If a creator makes a homunculus
soul-clone, is the original person responsible for
his soul-clone’s actions Can a soul-clone inherit the
property of its originator legally or must it rely on
possession being nine-tenths of the law
9.2 ARTIFICIAL ENTITIES AS
PCS AND NPCS
Incorporating an artificial entity into the campaign as
a hostile encounter is a simple matter of following the
creation process to build it in terms of statistics (but
ignoring time, money and other details) and then unleashing
it at the right juncture. As long as the GM
remembers to simulate its actual intelligence and utilizes
all its abilities (to the best of the entity’s tactical sense),
then the result should be a satisfying challenge. Incorporating
an artificial entity as an NPC or even PC requires
more thought.
Running an artificial entity as an NPC is both similar to
and different from running real flesh-and-blood NPCs.
Both require consistent characterization. Entities with
minimal intelligence may legitimately be “one-dimensional”
characters. Golems and Constructs animated by
the Sentience spell list and most Simulacra will be extensions
of their creator’s (donor’s) will. Golems and Constructs
with imbedded essences (and Amalgams) may be
in “two minds” exhibiting their own personality but
implementing the will of their masters. When role-playing
entities, it should be remembered that many of them
are “idiot savants”, extremely capable at one or more
tasks, but completely ignorant of everything else. By all
means, role-play their strengths, but also underscore this
by allowing their lack of intelligence and/or general
common sense to cause blunders from time to time.