Can a Ghost Possess a Construct?

[Hand of Vecna]

Straightforward enough question -- can a Ghost, using its Malevolence (Su) ability, possess/merge with a Construct (specifically, a Shield Guardian that the Ghost had constructed while he was a living Wizard)?

The description in the MM says it (the Malevolence ability) is just like the spell Magic Jar (a Necromantic spell), but Constructs are not stated as being immune to Necromantic effects, only Mind-Influencing Effects...

 

[shilsen]

Magic Jar specifically requires that you target a creature with a soul and a life force, so the answer would depend on how you see constructs in your campaign. I would argue that constructs are not alive, do not possess a life force, and hence cannot be affected.

 

[Wolf72]

... but on a side note ... that'd be a really cool bad guy !!

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I wouldn't allow it with a standard Shield Guardian, for the reasons shilsen gave.

I would allow it if the Shield Guardian had been specially constructed. i.e. if the wizard had prepared the Guardian so that, in the event of his untimely death, he could inhabit his creation. Give it a jewel core (suitable as a focus for the Magic Jar spell) and up the price of creation a bit for the modification, and I'd let it fly.

 

[Junkheap]

I agree with the above posts, but arent constructs animated by trapping an elemental spirit inside of it? So can't it work?

 

[kreynolds]

I agree with the above posts, but arent constructs animated by trapping an elemental spirit inside of it?

Not as far as I know. You're probably thinking of magic items that summon elementals, such as an earth elemental. Elementals are a whole lot like constructs or golems, especialy so in the case of earth elementals, in appearance.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Here's another question:

Can a Ghost posses an undead?

(Same answer as the above, though.)

 

[Storminator]

I just picked up Mongoose's Constructs, and one of the special powers you can give a construct is "Vessel." Allows the creator to Magic Jar into the construct at the awakening ritual.

Overall I really like the Constructs book. Many good ideas, and a pretty good system for making custom constructs. Worth checking out.

PS

 

[hong]

Here's another question:

Can a Ghost posses an undead?

(Same answer as the above, though.)

Given that the magic jar description specifically mentions intelligent undead as having/once had souls, I would say there's the answer.

 

[RangerWickett]

Actually, according to the Monster Manual, golems are created by binding an earth elemental spirit to the body the spellcaster constructs, so a golem would have a spirit. Not totally sure about a shield guardian, but I'd say OK to possessing a golem.