Converting Monsters from Dungeon Magazine

[freyar]

I think I'd write an underbar saying this is a figuring of wondrous power (and mention that in the monster flavor text):

Wooden Lady: This figurine, often worn as a pendant, transforms into a Wooden Lady construct (see above) X times per week/month for X hours at a time. After X hours, or when the command word is spoken, the Wooden Lady returns to figurine form.

Moderate transmutation; CL Xth; Craft Wondrous Item, animate objects; Price X gp.

 

[Shade]

Good point. I prefer this approach over making it an ability of the golem. In fact, I think we shouldn't shoehorn all of them into figurines, just note that some wooden ladies are created as figurines of wondrous power. Thoughts?

 

[freyar]

That would be fine with me!

 

[Shade]

Did we discuss natural armor yet?

We gave our wood golem (9 HD) +12 natural.

The (lesser) wood golem (3 HD) in Dragon Magazine #341 has +8 natural.

For construction, the (lesser) wood golem has the following:

A wood golem's body must be crafted from 350 pounds of high-quality wood and treated with exotic oils and herbal preparations costing at least 1,000 gp. Carving the body requires a DC 15 Craft (sculpting) check. The golem must then be buried beneath the earth in an area containing a large number of trees or plants for one week.

CL 5th; Craft Construct, wood shape, barkskin, caster must be at least 5th level; Price 4,000 gp; Cost 2,500 gp + 120 XP.

Click the link above to see the CC version.

 

[freyar]

It's about the same as the CC wood golem in power, I guess, so natural +12 to +15 would work for me.

The lesser wood golem construction is probably a good place to start. The figurine underbar should reflect this somehow and have an additional bit.

 

[Shade]

Rather than burying the pre-golem in the earth, how about soaking it in saltwater instead?

 

[Cleon]

It's about the same as the CC wood golem in power, I guess, so natural +12 to +15 would work for me.

The lesser wood golem construction is probably a good place to start. The figurine underbar should reflect this somehow and have an additional bit.

+12 Natural Armour would suit me.

Rather than burying the pre-golem in the earth, how about soaking it in saltwater instead?

That certainly sticks to our nautical theme far better than burying it. I approve!

As for the figurine of wondrous power idea that does seem the obvious approach to the original version. I think we'd better stat up both versions though. All figurines of wondrous power have animate objects as a prereq, so I think we should include that.

Here's a first stab.

Construction
A wooden lady's body must be crafted from a single block of high-quality wood weighing at least 800 pounds that has been soaked in seawater treated with exotic oils and herbal preparations for at least a week. These materials cost at least 1,000 gp. Carving the body requires a DC 15 Craft (woodworking) check or a DC 15 Craft (carpentry) check.

CL 9th; Craft Construct, animate objects, geas/quest, limited wish (or animate plants), caster must be at least 9th level; Price 30,000 gp; Cost 15,500 gp + 1160 XP.

Wooden Lady Figurine of Wondrous Power
This tiny figurine, often worn as a pendant, transforms into a Wooden Lady construct (see above). It can be used twice per week for up to 6 hours per use. After 6 hours, or when the command word is spoken, the Wooden Lady returns to figurine form.

CL 11th; Craft Construct, animate objects, geas/quest, limited wish, secret chest, caster must be at least 11th level; Price 30,000 gp; Cost 15,500 gp + 1160 XP.

I left out some obvious spells like plant growth, barkskin and spike growth since these are druid or druid/ranger spells and the Wooden Lady seems more of an arcane construct than a miracle of nature to me.

I suppose a "Druid Version" could use animate plants, bull's strength, geas/quest, plant growth for the spells.

 

[Shade]

Fantastic!

Updated.

Organization: Solitary or armada (2-x)

Challenge Rating: 7?

Advancement: 13–24 HD (Large); 25–36 (Huge)?

A wooden lady is x feet tall and weighs around x pounds. (The CC wood golem is about 8 1/2 feet tall and weighs around 800 pounds.)

 

[Cleon]

Fantastic!

Updated.

Organization: Solitary or armada (2-x)

Not sure about armada, to me that implies a lot of golems with an admiral. How about flotilla (2-4) instead?

Challenge Rating: 7?

I would say CR8. It has similar stats and damage to a Flesh Golem but has three more HD, fast healing, and that splinters attack.

Advancement: 13–24 HD (Large); 25–36 (Huge)?

I was thinking 100-150% HD and then 151-300% HD like a Stone Golem, giving it:

Advancement: 13-18 HD (Large); 19-36 (Huge)

A wooden lady is x feet tall and weighs around x pounds. (The CC wood golem is about 8 1/2 feet tall and weighs around 800 pounds.)

The height suits me but I think the weight is too high assuming it's shaped like a normal human(oid) lady.

Assuming its a particularly dense wood somewhere about 500 pounds for an 8.5 foot wooden statue would be about right - that roughly scales down to a 5.5 tall 108-115 pounds female made of (somewhat lighter) flesh-and-blood. If the original weight was 800 pounds the same 5 foot 6 inch female would weigh 173-184 pounds, which may be a bit more corpulent than you were aiming for.

So, 8.5 feet tall and 500 pounds.

 

[Shade]

Updated. Finished?