Justin Cooper's Shadow Constructs... need help!

I am horrible at building critters... but there is this character concept flitting about in my head that I want to try. So I thought I would request some help building my characters abilities.

Justin Cooper is a frail chap, even for a thief barely skilled enough to grab fresh baked goods from Granny's window. But he has learned to embrace the darkness like few others. The Sorcererous blood running through his veins manifested in a very different way. He learned to shape the shadows, molding them like so much clay and setting the resulting mass off to do his bidding. At first it was the flitting shadow of a cat that would slip beside the windows to peer in. Then came the little humanoid figure that crept under the door to undo the latch. As Justin grew older, his creations grew more varied and useful.

{Game mechanic stuff: using the Elements of Magic{EOM} to cast Summon: Construct. The normal duration of the construct is one minute before it dissentigrates back into the formless shadow it was. Use of shadows is mainly thematic}

What I need help with is a series of Construct/Homucli ranging from CR .5 to CR 4 that tend to be task focused. I want these critters to be appropriate for thier spell level as well, which convienantly matches thier CR
A template to toss on top of existing animal forms would be nice as well.

If you happen to know how to build spells in EoM and want to provide some extra oomph, please do so. {Fer instance, the cat mentioned above is really a Scry spell, not a Summon: Construct..but that really doesn't matter for this thread}

I appreciate any input and thanks in advance for helping this non-critter making fool!

EoM is one of the two (... no, wait, five, no, more!) main reasons why I deeply regret not being able to buy stuff here... But nevermind, is spell leve the same in EoM?

Let me get this right: you want task-focused summons. of CRs 0.5,1,2,3,4,5?

What would task-focused mean (which is not covered by Unseen Servant)?

Primitive,

Sounds very cool, but I don't have EoM. Sorry.

RC

I assume task-oriented means "utility, not combat"?

If so, using CR as your metric would be the wrong metric. Instead, use "emulated spell level".

For instance, for a 3rd level "construct", you get one of the following effects:
- Bricklayer: cuts bricks from surrounding unworked stone, makes the shape you desire. Emulates stone shape, but takes 10 minutes.
- Trapsmith: creates a magical boobytrap. Emulates snare, but takes 1 minute.
- Shadow of the Sea: a dark shape flows towards one open flame you specify, extinguishing it or damaging it (if it is a fire elemental creature). Emultates quench.
- Shadow Steed: as phantom steed.

-- N

I converted 'spell level' to normal DnD.. in EOM each 2MP of a spell roughly equates to 1 core spell level. In summoning its 1 loyal creature at a MP cost of double the CR.

As to task focused, the basic concept is to shape these shadows into a Construct and send it off on a mission... mostly rogue type stuff but other tasks could work.

Sifting through the published Constructs and Homunculus.. including the recent purchase of Golemcraft 101 here on Enworlds own store.. it looks like there are two extremes present:
- CR 1 or less Homunculus {with INT and skills}
- CR 7 and up Golums {No INT, no skills}

Using the Furtive Filcher as a base {1HD, 1/2CR} and just advance it up to CR 4 should work for what I am looking for.
My problem is one of understanding how to advance
I mean, sure. Boost it up to 3HD {Max advancement and still be Tiny}..but does that make it a CR 3 critter? Nope. The Iron Defender is a 2HD and 1CR..

Hmm.. actually I think the CR 1 and below is pretty well documented and I could simply alter the ECS Homunculi to fit the concept. But this leaves CR 2, 3, and 4.. These constructs would have to be more survivable in higher level combat... to be used either as distractors or delayors. Possible trap springers as well. Maintian the base of the Furtive Filcher as the closest published version with a 'shadow substance' build, and bring up the size to small and at least 3HD {for the extra feat}....

Unseen servant seems to be a Summon: Construct cantrip
It brings a CR 0 creature into being that has limited capablity, specifically no more than 20 lbs of force, no skill checks DC 10 or higher, no use of 'trained only' skills.
What I would like goes beyond these limits, including picking locks, lifting heavy boxes, setting off traps....

Things that a weak and frail Thief would want to avoid doing personally...

[aside]Ranger Wickett might be able to work some deal with you regarding inability to purchase here...in my opinion, EoM is the best magic system on the market for D20...[/aside]

Primitive,

Have you considered making your shadow creatures using base creature + expert levels + shadow template + construct template? I am thinking that there must be something useful either through the Creature Catalogue, the quickplates in the Monsternomicon, and/or the Advanced Bestiary.

RC

This is what happens when I start posting and take time to look up/research stuff mid-post


RC:.. you should.. EOM is awesome. As to the templates, I do not have any of those books..and my current 'next buy fund' is going to either Iron Heroes or Complete Arcane.. or the new Eberron book

Nifft:.. Agreed, and with EoM, the flavor and appearance of the spells will all be pretty much as you described. But instead of actual constructs they would be the spells in question.
Magic Missile cast by Justin would look like a miniature shadow hawk that dives *into* the target. Wall of Force would look like a billion shadow monkeys that race out and stand on each others shoulders, forming a wall that can hazily be seen through...etc. Fireball {which he wont learn.. but if he did..} would look like a shadow manikin carrying a box which races up to the designated point and 'pulls the pin'.
This is the best part of EoM.. the mechanics are seperated from the fluff. Each of the above examples act exactly like thier core version, the only difference is the description.

The Summon list works purely on CR and for most normal people who summon things like elementals, undead, or animals.. there are a plethora of choices to cull from. Me, being me, thought to go the less trodden path which ended up not having any choices in the CR range I am looking at.

Good idea there RC, Make them Experts (And the adequate Skill Focus), and just put their subtype Construct, with an ability modifyer of +4.

Skilled: 2 Expert levels per Spell Level.

0 lvl Spell: +9 (+3 Skill Focus, +4 ranks, +2 Ability)
1st lvl Spell: +11 (+3 Skill Focus, +4 ranks, +2 Ability)
2nd lvl Spell: +13 (+3 Skill Focus, +6 ranks, +2 Ability)
3rd lvl Spell: +15 (+3 Skill Focus, +8 ranks, +2 Ability)
4th lvl Spell: +17 (+3 Skill Focus, +10 ranks, +2 Ability)
5th lvl Spell: +19 (+3 Skill Focus, +10 ranks, +2 Ability)

And the ones who need abilities such as Str, on their Ability checks they get a +1 enhancement bonus per spell level, and a further +1 bonus per 2 caster levels (Maximum = twice spell level).

Puller & Pusher:

0 lvl Spell: +5 (+3 Strong, +2 Ability, + CL/2 Max 1)
1st lvl Spell: +6 (+3 Strong, +2 Ability, +1 enhancement, + CL/2 Max 2)
2nd lvl Spell: +7 (+3 Strong, +2 Ability, +2 enhancement, + CL/2 Max 4)
3rd lvl Spell: +8 (+3 Strong, +2 Ability, +3 enhancement, + CL/2 Max 6)
4th lvl Spell: +9 (+3 Strong, +2 Ability, +4 enhancement, + CL/2 Max 8)
5th lvl Spell: +10 (+3 Strong, +2 Ability, +5 enhancement, + CL/2 Max 10)

Strong [General]
Benefit: You get a +3 Bonus on Str checks.

Is this what you are searching for?

Land Outcast, that is exactly what I am looking for!

Altho converting to EoM...
For those of you without EoM, keep in mind that 2 MP is roughly equivalent to 1 spell level.

Justin Cooper’s Shadow Spawn Constructs:
Below are two basic forms that can be summoned with a Summon: Construct spell. The caster must also know the following lists: Create: Shadow, Infuse (earth), Infuse (air) and have 5 ranks in the magical skill of Scry.
Additional enhancements can be added to the Summon as normal, but each form has special enhancements that works only for that form {these are cheaper than normal EoM rules}

Flitter appears as a cat or miniature halfing, its wispy form reminiscent of the shadows the flees ahead of torchlight.
Size: Tiny
Type Construct
HD 1D10 (5hps)
Initiative +4
Speed 50ft
Armor Class 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex)
Base Attack/Grapple +0/-9
Attack +2 Bite (1D3-1)
Space/Reach: 2.5’ /0’
Special Attacks: 0
Special Qualities: Construct Traits, Darkvision 60’, Lowlight vision
Saves: Fort: +0, REF +2, WILL +0
Abilities: STR 8, DEX 15, CON -, INT 10, WIS 12, CHA 7
Skills: Hide +8, Move Silently +8
Feats: Stealthy, Weapon Finesse
CR: ½

Bonus Enhancements:
Skilled: +1MP.
Spawn comes with +1 level of expert {D6 HD, Cleric BAB advancement, 6 skill points, good will save}
Generally the 3rd level feat chosen is Skill Focus
Spyform +1MP (Scry)
Caster can see/hear through the constructs senses at will. This act requires concentration and denies the caster Dex to AC while remotely viewing.
Flight +2 MP (Move: Air)
Flitter gains shadowy wings similar to a Dragonette's and an Average flight mode
Spider Climb: +1MP (Move: Nature)
Flitter gains the Spider Climb ability
============================
Dozer appears as a miniature dwarf formed of shadow substance.
Size, Small
Type Construct
HD 1D10 + 10 (15hps)
Initiative +4
Speed 30ft
Armor Class 10 (+1 size, -1 Dex)
Base Attack/Grapple +0/-6
Attack +3 Slam(x2) (1D4)
Space/Reach: 5’/5’
Special Attacks: 0
Special Qualities: Construct Traits, Darkvision 60’, Lowlight vision DR 5/magic
Saves: Fort: +0, REF -1, WILL +0
Abilities: STR 16, DEX 8, CON -, INT 10, WIS 12, CHA 6
Skills: Hide +5, Move Silently +5
Feats: Stealthy, Strong {+3 bonus to STR ability checks}
CR: ½

Bonus Enhancements:
Brawler: +1 MP
Spawn comes with additional HD {D10 HD, Cleric BAB advancement, 2 skill points, no good saves}
Generally the 3rd level feat chosen is Imp Natural Attack
Brute: +2 MP
Spawn gains +2 to Strength

===============
Let me know if this is completely off-track.. I think it works {but then again I wrote it }
I did a merge of the cat and Furtive Filcher stats to get the above stat blocks.