The Puppet Creature Creation Manual
Puppeteers, constructs of immense magical power, are formed through profound sorcery. These entities, often known as element-resistant automatons, are forged from rare mystical materials. Among them, the repellent steel of the material plane stands out for its unparalleled resistance to elemental forces.
Liloi's Insight
Constructs, typically lifeless or artificially animated, are the creations of wizards. Puppet creatures, however, represent the pinnacle of this craft. Their defining trait lies in their resistance to elemental damage—a capability that makes them deserving of the title. Yet, this resistance does not make them mage-killers. Clever strategies, such as collapsing ceilings with fireballs or trapping them in acid swamps, can effectively neutralize them. Furthermore, their lack of intelligence and inability to follow anything beyond basic commands render them vulnerable against sentient adversaries.
Puppet creatures are not completely immune to elemental magic. Specific spells targeting their elemental weaknesses can be their undoing, highlighting the importance of exploiting their vulnerabilities.
Unlike other constructs, puppet creatures possess an inherent vitality, deriving their magical existence from elemental souls, often of the earth element. The creation process binds these souls to artificial vessels, which then merge with specially prepared containers, becoming wholly subservient to their creator's will.
Devoid of intellect, puppet creatures only act upon their creator’s explicit commands. These instructions must be simple and unambiguous, as they lack the capacity for complex strategies or tactics. While within 60 feet and visible or audible to the puppet, the creator can issue new orders. In the absence of further commands, the creature executes its last directive to the best of its ability, retaliating only if attacked. Creators may also delegate command to another individual, but they always retain the authority to reclaim control.
Grimm's Fascination
The moment Grimm laid eyes on the manual, he found himself utterly engrossed, devouring its contents in one sitting.
“Puppet creatures truly are remarkable creations,” he mused. Even the lowest-tier clay golems boast a base challenge level equivalent to that of an advanced apprentice. Defeating one requires a well-coordinated team of skilled combatants.
As bodyguards, puppets and constructs are far superior to hired mercenaries—more reliable and unquestionably loyal. However, this reliability comes at an exorbitant price.
Take, for example, the humble clay golem. Weighing 600 pounds and standing 8 feet tall, these creatures are crafted entirely from soft clay and are impervious to piercing weapons. Only heavy weaponry can inflict substantial damage. Such a golem costs 21,000 gold coins without any enchanted enhancements. Stone golems, a step above, command 55,000 gold, while iron golems fetch an astronomical 80,000 gold.
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During times of war, the demand for these battlefield dominators often doubles their price, yet buyers remain undeterred. A minor lord with 35 clay golems in his ranks could easily outmatch rival territories, securing a significant advantage in conflicts.
To Grimm, mastering the art of golem creation meant wealth would cease to be a concern. Yet the path to becoming a puppet master is fraught with challenges—extensive materials, expert craftsmanship, and the ability to create soul vessels. Were his elemental affinity aligned with darkness, he might have exploited humanoid souls to grant golems rudimentary intelligence. But his fire affinity barred him from such shortcuts.
For now, Grimm tasked the chip with recording the manual’s contents for future study, shifting his attention to the chip’s newly discovered functionality.
The Chip’s Revelation
As Grimm extended his hand, a vibrant flame enveloped his palm, accompanied by the chip’s mechanical voice in his mind:
"Detected a complete mental force model. Confirm solidification? Note: This process will consume 2 points of mental power and 50 experience points."
The same prompt had appeared during his earlier excursion outside the tower, but caution had prevented him from experimenting. Today, however, curiosity triumphed.
“Confirm,” Grimm commanded.
"Solidification initiated. Estimated completion time: 12 hours, 27 minutes, 13 seconds."
The chip’s activation sent a ripple through his consciousness, depleting a portion of his mental power. Upon reviewing his stats, he noted his experience points had dropped from 614 to 564—a loss representing six years of painstaking effort, countless incantation practices, endless transcriptions of arcane tomes, and perilous magical experiments.
“No wonder the old me was so incompetent,” he reflected bitterly. Despite six years as an apprentice, he was barely halfway to becoming an intermediate-level wizard and had only mastered Burning Hands as a survival spell. His second spell, Flaming Arrow, was still in its infancy.
But that was the past. With the chip’s assistance, Grimm felt reborn, confident he could overcome any obstacle.
The solidification process, though intriguing, left him mentally drained. Recognizing the need for recovery, he reclined on his bed and began deep meditation.
The Light Realm
As Grimm’s breathing steadied, his spirit delved into an unfamiliar, radiant realm—a boundless expanse teeming with ethereal light.
Vividly colored orbs drifted aimlessly through this luminous sea, each embodying unique energies. Red orbs welcomed him, merging eagerly with his spirit, while cold hues like blue and gray fled from his approach. Neutral colors such as purple and green exhibited neither hostility nor warmth.
Driven by curiosity, Grimm directed his spirit toward a cluster of white orbs. Unlike the serene reds, these displayed frantic aversion, scattering in all directions. Finally, he extended a tendril of mental energy, capturing a solitary white orb.
The orb exploded into a surge of frigid, lifeless energy, chilling his soul and inducing a sharp, numbing pain. Yet, amidst the discomfort, Grimm sensed a faint enhancement to his spiritual essence. The encounter, though unsettling, deepened his understanding of this mysterious domain.