How dumb are constructs?

[Lopke_Quasath]

Another tidbit to add. This depends on the argument that the golem is aware or not that the acid is destroying it.

For the sake of this tidbit, let's assume it doesn't feel pain or realize it is being destroyed.

In the OP it described the golem as being completely submerged in acid.
So, it can no longer see the intruders. Ergo the intruders are no longer in the room.
Ergo, back to being completely still. In the acid. Which destroys it.

I am aware there are other factors that could make it climb out (going back to it's original guarding position, for example), but I just wanted to throw that tidbit out there.

It goes for other situations too, where the golem can't see an intruder.

 

[Nightfall]

Alright, to give you all a better view of the situation. The party enteres a room with three greater stone golems. The golems are ordered to destroy anything that comes into the room and doesn't say the correct password. They cannot endanger a specific item that has been put in the middle of the room.

Well sounds to me like if the golem believed (or logically thought) the PCs weren't dead, it would try to climb out and finish them.

Stone golem or no, that's what they do.

 

[ViciousPenguin]

I would argue that constructs follow the "Three laws of Robotics" unless otherwise detailed.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw this thread. It's not unreasonable to assume that all golems are constructed with these basic rules as well as whatever tasks they are meant to accomplish. Of course the "Laws" would have to be modified slightly . . .

The Three Mandates of the Constructed:
1. A golem shall not injure its master or, through inaction, allow its master to come to harm.
2. A golem shall obey orders given it by its master except where such orders would conflict with the first mandate.
3. A golem shall protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the first or second mandate.

 

[starwed]

These laws seem inconsistent with the chance to go on a murderous rampage, attempting to kill your creator. ^_^

 

[Deset Gled]

Constructs are so dumb they think "Chicken of the Sea" is chicken.
Constructs are so dumb they have to put lipstick on their heads to make up their minds...

Constructs are so dumb that they put stamps on a fax.
Constructs are so dumb that they think a psion is a type of car.

 

[Tonguez]

but a 0 int means you are incapable of learning from experience.

Technically Int 0 is an Int modifier -5

its Int - that means incapable of learning

I personally don't agree that Golems should follow the 3 Laws of Robotics since it presumes a culture which would mandate such a list of compulsory laws and as starwed says it doesn't allow for Golem rampages.

But Golems are aware and although they may not feel pain should be able to observe structural degredation taking place
They can also navigate difficult terrain and thus will not deliberately step into a pit unless it is the only available route to achive their directives

 

[Wilphe]

A point to consider: golems presumably don't feel pain. Would it even know if acid was eating away at it? If so, how? Does it come pre-programmed with a list of everything possible that can harm it?

"I sense damage, you could call the data pain."

 

[Arkhandus]

Constructs have Wisdom and Charisma scores. They are thus, by the rules, aware of their surroundings, and aware of themselves. Constructs know when they are being damaged, and they are able to discern obstacles in the vicinity. Constructs cannot learn or analyze situations, but they are aware of how to move their limbs and use any abilities they are imbued with.

A construct can detect the presence of an obstacle between itself and its' objective (falling into a pit would make that pit such an obstacle; the construct would still be aware that its target was not verifiably destroyed when the construct fell in the pit, as it did not witness the target being destroyed, and thus the construct would climb out to verify if its command to destroy all intruders had been fulfilled; it would then proceed around the second pit as its Wisdom would indicate that the pit is an obstacle to reaching the target, and there is space enough around the side of it for the construct's body to cross for the sake of reaching the target).

 

[werk]

Technically Int 0 is an Int modifier -5

Again, they have Int -- not Int 0. That grants a modifier of -- as well, not -5.

This puts them in league with jellies and zombies. I agree, they do not learn, and would only function as directed, programmed, or in accordance with instinct/reflex.

If you tell them kill anyone in the room, that's what they'd do, even destroying themself in the process. Yes, they would crawl out of a pit, regardless of what is in the pit.

And don't forget about displacement there Archimedes. If a large stone golem falls into a pit filled with acid, he's going to spray, splash, and generally get acid all over the place...and if the acid is tough enough to erode a greater stone golem, it's probably going to wreck the room too. It won't be very long before the party and the golems are standing in a big shallow divet knee deep in spent acid.

 

[Quidam]

These laws seem inconsistent with the chance to go on a murderous rampage, attempting to kill your creator. ^_^

Apparently you haven't read much Asimov...