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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe

Canada
592 Posts

Posted - 03 Nov 2006 :  16:04:13  Show Profile Send Foxhelm a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
I have been hearing arguements for and against having Warforged in the realms. But that got me thinking of if there was a compromise that would work. Then I thought about the subtype of the warforged, the fact that they are living constructs.

Could the living construct subtype be transfered to the realms? A creation of a realms-based living construct. Perhaps a gondmen that gained setience from some method (a template or spell in the mechanics)? A Slave race created by the Red Wizards for intellgent, yet durable jobs.

What would be built in with the race? How would the gods/churches react (like that of Gond and the dieties of Magic especially)?

I am just kicking this idea around to see what might occur, to see if it gives other people ideas or see if I can expand it myself when I get time.

Thanks.

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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36874 Posts

Posted - 03 Nov 2006 :  16:25:56  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I think the Living Constructs template is a great idea, and I have an idea for using that to create a very small number of FR "warforged". I've got a rough idea for their background, but I need to research it more. I'm going to call them something different, change the outward appearance, and maybe make a note about their compatibility with warforged. I'll not say much more, because I'm thinking of writing this up for a future volume of the Compendium.

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VonRaventheDaring
Learned Scribe

USA
197 Posts

Posted - 03 Nov 2006 :  16:38:30  Show Profile  Visit VonRaventheDaring's Homepage Send VonRaventheDaring a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I think that they are cool although i would love to have a FR feel to them, they could be remains from the Imaskri empire they loved golems, why not become immortal by making yourself a construct ....... just and idea.

"Develop the latent abilities within you for that is your power alone. Psionics is the ultimate art of magic and you are its practitioner. Through lifelong dedication, strive to unite your will with your physical form to become one. Only through the unrestrained union of one’s mind and body can the magic of psionics truly be mastered. Throw off the yoke of any who would impose tyranny upon you. Likewise, do not ever force another to submit to your will. Free your mind, free yourself and you have only just begun the path to true psionic mastery. Free others, open their minds to the Invisible Art, and you will show them way to Auppenser."
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36874 Posts

Posted - 03 Nov 2006 :  16:51:58  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Oh, and for those that have little or no Eber-whatsit material, the living construct is also discussed on the Wizards site: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20050823a

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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe

Canada
592 Posts

Posted - 03 Nov 2006 :  17:09:55  Show Profile Send Foxhelm a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Another thought is the idea that different races might make different kinds of living constructs. Like a gnome based construct might have in built illusion abilities (gnomes based class is the illusionist in the realms, so this might make sense).

A Gold Dwarf created LC (living construct) might be made of Admantine and focus more on attack stats (bonuses to attack rolls and damage rolls), while a Shield Dwarf created LC one might be more likely made of Mithral and have strong defense stats (AC bonus and strong Fort & Ref saves).

<< The last bit was based on stats and info from Rac that Gold Dwarves have more combat linked feats and Shield Dwarves have more defensive feats (Gold Dwarf Dweomersmith and Shield Dwarf Warder). >>

Elven LC might be more likely to be made of natural materials like wood, but with spells that make it as strong as metal.

Just some random thoughts to add.

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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31799 Posts

Posted - 04 Nov 2006 :  00:48:21  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Well, Wooly and I had originally set down to work on something like this for the Realms (I don't recall how it fell apart though...)

Anyways... A while back on the WotC boards George and I were *speculating* about the Raumathar, Imaskari and warforged-like constructs.

The *jist* of those thoughts revolved around the Raumathari potentially gaining access to one of the lost Imaskarcana (possibly increasing Raumathari knowledge of Imaskari artifice and artifical creation). This allowed for the opportunity of a House Cannith-styled cabal to rise among the Raumathari... and become responsible for the creation of a small group of warforged-styled living-constructs in the ancient Realms.

As I see it, if the Raumathari plundered the depths (or rather were left as vassals) of Inupras... I'd imagine they may have discovered the First (or perhaps learned a little about what knowledge it contained), so that's a possibility... given that it holds the knowledge of the Imaskari Artificers. I don't think they'd use the Fifth since it doesn't really relate to technical knowledge as such or the Third for that matter.

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Edited by - The Sage on 04 Nov 2006 00:50:31
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VonRaventheDaring
Learned Scribe

USA
197 Posts

Posted - 04 Nov 2006 :  15:26:32  Show Profile  Visit VonRaventheDaring's Homepage Send VonRaventheDaring a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Wow that sounds very interesting and cool Sage, i have to say that the more recent constructs would probabbly come from gnomes though or dwarves, and that is an interesting approach.

"Develop the latent abilities within you for that is your power alone. Psionics is the ultimate art of magic and you are its practitioner. Through lifelong dedication, strive to unite your will with your physical form to become one. Only through the unrestrained union of one’s mind and body can the magic of psionics truly be mastered. Throw off the yoke of any who would impose tyranny upon you. Likewise, do not ever force another to submit to your will. Free your mind, free yourself and you have only just begun the path to true psionic mastery. Free others, open their minds to the Invisible Art, and you will show them way to Auppenser."
---Dogma of the Church of Auppenser
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Gray Richardson
Master of Realmslore

USA
1291 Posts

Posted - 05 Nov 2006 :  03:09:00  Show Profile  Visit Gray Richardson's Homepage Send Gray Richardson a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I have always thought that living constructs might be an improvement on and extension of Imaskari research into the creation of Helmed Horrors from the Monsters of Faerun book. I have thought it might be nice to tie the lore together somehow.
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VonRaventheDaring
Learned Scribe

USA
197 Posts

Posted - 05 Nov 2006 :  14:31:27  Show Profile  Visit VonRaventheDaring's Homepage Send VonRaventheDaring a Private Message  Reply with Quote
okay this might be off subject a bit but i saw a show the other day where they put a person's soul in a pill like thing that could attach the soul to anything and animate it, they used a stuffed toy it was funny and it got me thinking that if you use a soul to power a new creation/construct that it could be a similar but more fantasy related process. I was also thinking that while the Imaskri might have delved into them for the fact that they could be a perfect slave race they also might have explored them for the potiential for immortality. Of course i wonder if other empires might have explored them as well i mean while the imaskri are obviously the masters of constructs and golems, the netherness and the Jhaamdath empries might have explored possiblities as well that might be interesting to consider.

"Develop the latent abilities within you for that is your power alone. Psionics is the ultimate art of magic and you are its practitioner. Through lifelong dedication, strive to unite your will with your physical form to become one. Only through the unrestrained union of one’s mind and body can the magic of psionics truly be mastered. Throw off the yoke of any who would impose tyranny upon you. Likewise, do not ever force another to submit to your will. Free your mind, free yourself and you have only just begun the path to true psionic mastery. Free others, open their minds to the Invisible Art, and you will show them way to Auppenser."
---Dogma of the Church of Auppenser
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Forgotten Ghost
Acolyte

Australia
36 Posts

Posted - 09 Nov 2006 :  10:15:49  Show Profile  Visit Forgotten Ghost's Homepage Send Forgotten Ghost a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The Netherese made Tomb Tappers are a race of sentient constructs so I see no reasons why other sentient constructs couldn't exist. In my game I just ported the warforged straight in from Eberron with the explanation that they were first created by the Raumathari towards the end of their war with the Nar demonbinders of Narfell.
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe

Canada
956 Posts

Posted - 09 Nov 2006 :  13:49:35  Show Profile  Visit Kalin Agrivar's Homepage Send Kalin Agrivar a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Forgotten Ghost

The Netherese made Tomb Tappers are a race of sentient constructs so I see no reasons why other sentient constructs couldn't exist. In my game I just ported the warforged straight in from Eberron with the explanation that they were first created by the Raumathari towards the end of their war with the Nar demonbinders of Narfell.



I think some people may not understand the implications of the warforged..they are not just sentient constructs (there are alot of those), they are sentient constructs with an immortal soul. Cure light wounds and other healing magics heal them (even though at 50% effeciency) and they can be ressurected/raised from the dead...which means they go to the afterlife. So if any culture in the Realms "invented" the warforged...it would be better described as "birthed"

my problem with "living constructs" has always been the "animated by an elemental spirit" vs "born with a soul" (which is what makes a warforged a "living construct", it has a soul)

in the old days there was more emphasis on the elemental spirits bound in a golem (all golems had to be from the earth, or rarely fire, the only "water" golem I can think of is the aboleth one). Thus many golems (thus constructs) could be classed a living construct (like the metagolem or forge golem from spelljammer), especially the sentient ones, but without a true soul they are not.

Remember, "living construct" means true life, not an animating spirit or lifeforce...so then the question is, does a tomb tapper have a soul? can it be healed by divine magic and ressurected (like a warforged can)?

Personally, I don't think a tomb tapper is a "living construct"...

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Varl
Learned Scribe

USA
284 Posts

Posted - 10 Nov 2006 :  06:16:16  Show Profile Send Varl a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Foxhelm
Could the living construct subtype be transfered to the realms? A creation of a realms-based living construct.



It's already been done, kinda, by Trobriand in UM2. While not quite the same as golem-like living constructs, they are mentioned as being alive, particularly the Enhanced Scaladar.

I'm on a permanent vacation to the soul. -Tash Sultana
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist

USA
11993 Posts

Posted - 12 Nov 2006 :  08:42:48  Show Profile Send sleyvas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
HMMMMMM, technically doesn't the realms already have living constructs that are even more real than warforged? The Alias creations are constructed beings, but for all purposes they appear to be living beings (of course, I don't know whether they go on to an afterlife... but I'm thinking so).

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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36874 Posts

Posted - 12 Nov 2006 :  16:05:04  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

HMMMMMM, technically doesn't the realms already have living constructs that are even more real than warforged? The Alias creations are constructed beings, but for all purposes they appear to be living beings (of course, I don't know whether they go on to an afterlife... but I'm thinking so).



I don't think that the Alias clones count as constructs. They were constructed, yes, but they are living beings in every sense of the word. They are human, just with a different origin and a few nifty abilities.

Quoting from the updated Alias Vessel template in the Realms Bestiary, Volume 2 (which can be found here):
quote:
Alias vessels are magical creations that display a high level of human characteristics in an individual fashion, and are in fact human for all intents and purpose despite their construct-like origins.


I know those supplements are not official WotC material, but they are drawn from official material by designers that have worked on official Realms material -- and that's good enough for me.

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Xysma
Master of Realmslore

USA
1089 Posts

Posted - 13 Nov 2006 :  03:55:09  Show Profile  Visit Xysma's Homepage Send Xysma a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I've been kicking around the idea of having warforged in the Realms as creations of Gond, possibly originating in Lantan during the Time of Troubles. I haven't had much time to work on it, but I like the concept of the warforged and tying them to Gond makes sense to me.

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Sian
Senior Scribe

Denmark
596 Posts

Posted - 13 Nov 2006 :  06:24:21  Show Profile  Visit Sian's Homepage Send Sian a Private Message  Reply with Quote
there are as said several places to tie them to ... Gond worshippers is one ... Raumathari is another ... heck ... wouldn't even be that much surpriced if someone thought up the idea of digging them, or at least magical engineered prototypes, out of Netheril ruins (okay ... just much less than any other places other than Raumathar)

hmm ... maybe let Gond Worshippers unearth them at a digsite at an old Raumathari ruin and figure out how to get it to work ...

I'll argee with that they would be a somewhat logical and interesting race to throw into FR ... question is just how to do it lorewise ... there is a couple of possable entries but which one easiest to tweak the lore so it doesn't seem forced ... i don't know

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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe

Canada
956 Posts

Posted - 13 Nov 2006 :  18:00:19  Show Profile  Visit Kalin Agrivar's Homepage Send Kalin Agrivar a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas

HMMMMMM, technically doesn't the realms already have living constructs that are even more real than warforged? The Alias creations are constructed beings, but for all purposes they appear to be living beings (of course, I don't know whether they go on to an afterlife... but I'm thinking so).



that is an interesting thought...

** camouflaged spoiler **

technically Alias is a construct...but a unique one as she ia a purely organic one...I'm not sure the body was constructed from scratch or was it a clone of Cassandra but she was technically created...

and since she has a soul (healing and ressurection magic works on her) she would be a "living construct" but as I remember her "soul" was actually a piece of Dragonbait's soul..that is why they are "brother/sister"

so technically, since every warforged has it's own unique soul then Alias and the other Alias-clones would be "lesser" living constructs...she is more like some wierd, unique gestalt clone-construct


Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar

- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand
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Romaal
Acolyte

Germany
22 Posts

Posted - 13 Nov 2006 :  22:44:10  Show Profile Send Romaal a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm not sure if this is close to the subject of this thread. I've just read through the 2E Harper Sourcebook and found something about Wild Magic in Faerun.

It says that as a result of creating a construct with Wild Magic, the so called "Deadly Pair" can be called to Faerun. They are some Kind of Living Constructs which only exist to kill the user of failed wild magic. They are quasi clones of the created construct. Just to add something to your collection of Lving Constructs in Faerun.

Edited by - Romaal on 13 Nov 2006 22:45:47
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