Lifeforms · Constructed · Any
Golden Golem
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade. If life puts you in charge of defending a gold mining operation and you are only a mage....well
Origins
The mage Ralle Lyxelli was tasked with the command of the Royal Eastern Gold Mine. He was in charge of, among other things, logistics, labor, and protection. All of this was easy, just follow the model set by the other mines of the kingdom. The optimal number of workers per foot, mules per cart, bodyguards per camp, etc. had already been decided. So while Ralle was well paid and respected, he still felt that his talents with magic were being wasted. Sure, he was able to tweak a couple numbers and optimize his mine a bit more with enchanted equipment, but there was no challenge. That's when he decided to revolutionize the mining industry.
Each mine had the ability to melt and refine the golden ore that it harvested, since making gold bars was considered the most optimal way to transport metal, and coins were used to pay the workers. Ralle's idea was to make the molten metal work for him instead of the other way around. In his spare time, he had the workers create a mold for a 12 foot tall humanoid creature. Gold was now made into bars, coins, and large golden men. A couple animation spells, and it was all set.
Apperance
Due to the low amount of materials and expertise, The Golems are somewhat spartan in appearance. They look like simple outlines of a humanoid, about a foot deep. There is no detail visible from the front or the back: no muscles, no veins, etc. There are fingers on the hands, that is for a functional purpose, not artistic. Proudly displayed along the back and across the chest are the words that appear on all of the gold bars:
PROPERTY OF THE KINGDOM OF CELPHANIA
The head uses the only art asset that was present on the premises: the royal coin. The coin has the face of the king emblazoned on them. The only problem is the fact that the view of the face is from the side. Therefore, so is the Golem's: From the side, it looks just like the image minted on the coin. From the front, the face is a blank square. The effect is somewhat disturbing and unsettling.
Uses
The golems are able to perform and optimize all three functions necessary to the mine. There strength and construct-nature means that they can work throughout the night while other workers tire. Humans are still necessary for instruction and for more delicate acts, but the golems increase the productivity greatly.
They also increase productivity in logistics. They do not require a mule or cart: they simply walk to the capital where they can be decommissioned and liquidated. They even can replace the mules when it comes to pulling the coins and bars.
Most terrifying, they also are able to be used for defense. There imposing height, inability to be hurt or tire, and relative toughness make them difficult enemies to fight.
In Game Uses and Hooks
- The PCs have to rob a mine or free some slaves. These stand in their way.
- PCs have to escort a gold transport. These help them
- A dungeon is actually an old gold mine, and some golems are still chugging away.
- A Dragon grabs one of these and add it to their hoard. It's your job to retrieve it.
- Alternatively, they players were going to kill a dragon anyway and a golem is part of its hoard.
- A decommissioned/dead golem is great high level loot. Good luck moving it anywhere, though.
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Nice item/creature, clear cut visuals and just the hint of a story...just a hint.
Meh, didn't want to create a story where one did not really exist. The focus was on the creature. I gave it enough of a back-story that if you are asked by a player you can explain where they came from.
The partial story stands out a bit cause you lead with it in the teaser and open with it in the body of the piece. So going into the piece it appears like that is going to be the focus, but then it gets left behind.
I like the coin face idea. Also you should tack monster-of-the-week on to this
That makes sense. Thanks for the input.
If something come to me I'll add it in. I do not want to force it though.
The overall idea is eminently practical - a walking deposit box. The profile face thing is pretty clever, too.
Can they see properly? 5/5
Wasn't sure if this was a serious question...figured I'd answer it anyway.
I always figured Golems don't need to see...they sort of rely on their superiors for instruction. I'll leave that for the GM's...might be interesting to have it lose you if you stand right in front of it
3.5/5
Pretty much what axelrowes has already said. Definitely a nice sub though :)
If there is enough gold to make these regularly, you can bet the local king will keep one of these as a sort of bodyguard, just to show off. Although locals keep mumbling that it's actually a copper golem with some golden paint on...
This was going to be one of the first things I added if I did add anything...now I'm fresh out of new ideas for it. Good job :P