Question about a Construct

[Hell_Born]

Recently, I've had this... call it an image... of a golem come into my mind. Basically, it's composed of spell scrolls (and grimoire pages, I think) wrapped around a crude skeleton of wands, amulets, rings and potion vials. Basically, a random collection of magical garbage assembled into a mockery of the human form and animated through magic.

My question is simply this: is this an actual golem from the D&D range? If so, what is it called and which bestiary supplement (Monstrous Manual 1/2/3, Fiend Folio etcetera) is it from?

[Joël of the FoS]

It reminds me of the great Azenwrath from CotN?

Joël

[ScS of the Fraternity]

Yeah, I thought of Azenwrath immediatly, as well.
I think that the golem described is a spellrune golem.
That might have been covered in one of the extra monster manuals, or possibly the FR monster manual, or maybe the fiend folio.

[Hell_Born]

I can't find any reference to Spellrune Golems, except for Azenwrath itself (and yes, I thought for a moment I'd been remembering it as well). I've found the construct though; the Grisgol, from MM3- I'd just forgotten the fact it uses a Lich's captured phylactery as its "power source".

Now that I've found it, another question arises. The original reason I started wondering about the Grisgol was because of a component from an up-coming game of mine. Essentially, the players are besieging/infiltrating the ancient castle of a wizard-lord (who may or may not be still around as a Lich) and they're about to breach the castle's library, stocked with tomes of arcane (and just plain exotic) lore. The Grisgol came to mind because, in my mind's eye, the library was attended by several "magical detrius" golems, basically Grisgols crafted entirely from the magical 'junk' of the wizard-lord for the sole purpose of looking after the library.

My new question is simply this: how do I handle these "Lesser Grisgols" and what stat changes would I need to make to their profile to represent them? I'm asking this because I don't really want to use them straight from the book, primarily because I don't want to have to introduce a half-dozen or so Liches later on in the campaign as a result of destroyed Grisgol. So far, all I can figure is that I would remove the Grisgol's Paralyzing Touch and Incite Madness abilities, as they are due to the presence of the Lich's undead spirit within the construct.

[Fuzzball]

If your party isn't a high level, then I'd suggest taking a lower CR construct like the Raggamoffyn (MMII p175). Remove their Special Qualities and Special abilities and use the Grisgol's Choking Dust, Damaging Touch, and Spell-Like Abilities instead.

[Hell_Born]

It's not a problem of CR, it's a problem of I don't want the Grisgol to use Lich phylacteries in their construction- primarily because I don't want to have to add a dozen or so "new" Liches to the campaign world after the part gets done with the Grisgols.

Plus the fact I don't think the Grisgol's background as is fits these creatures right; these "Arcane Detrius Golems" were created from magical odds and ends for the purpose of defending the wizard'lord's library.

[Jasper]

Remeber that Golems of all types in Ravenloft don't need the tradional magics to power them. As long as one unique creator (your origonal lich/wizard) put enough of himself into thier creation his rage/greed/fear etc: will power them without needing to add a philactary into the mix.

[Hell_Born]

Just two things about that:
*I'm not sure if the Dread Golem template could be applied to Grisgols- they aren't Golems, just Constructs.
*I'm not actually playing in Ravenloft with this game. That's why this topic isn't in the Ravenloft section.

I do appreciate your advice though. It's just that the Grisgol as is is mostly suitable, I just need to remove the Lich phylactery and the special powers that would be caused by the Lich's presence and that's what I'm asking for- what powers need to be removed/altered.

[ScS of the Fraternity]

*I'm not actually playing in Ravenloft with this game.

There's your problem, right there. Best remedy it ASAP.

As for constructs, don't worry about it. Monsters aren't supposed to be cookie cutter creatures - they are at their best when applied in creative ways.
In fact, I remember one adventure with a sentient Shield Gaurdian that was transforming people into cyborgs. Now there was a memorable encounter.

[order99]

Well, if you were playing Ravenloft, i'd say let the Lich create them as a base power (it probably failed a LOT of Powers checks on the way to Lichdom!). The creatures could be limited in number, subject to Turning as the Lich itself(a part of Itself is invested rather than the usual method of creation), and limited in the range the Lich can maintain them...in addition, the Lich should suffer a temporary debilitating effect whenever one is destroyed, since they are literally Familiars of a sort. As a side benefit, the Lich should be able to use them as Its eyes and ears over short distances as well.

Since you aren't using Ravenloft-why not have the additional abilities be a Gift from the Dukes of Hell(perhaps the Lich needed such help to attain Lichdom?) And as we all should know by now, Hell gives nothing away for free, hence the drawbacks...