Iron, Gears, and Steam

[Enumclaw]

I'm using two sourcebooks for Steampunk devices. Iron Kingdoms has Craft Mechanika, Craft Clockwork, Craft Steamengine, and others. Craft Mechanik seems to be a base crafting skill for the others.

Problem is, I'm also using Steam and Steel which has Craft Steamworks. What should I merge with or convert to in Iron Kingdoms?

 

[Enumclaw]

Here's an issue I've found with the Craft (Steamworks) versus the rules within the Iron Kingdoms multiple skills. With a rank of 9 in Craft Steamworks I can craft an Automaton that requires no use of the Jack Handling skill (similar to Handle Animal)

Automatons can understand a single language
and respond to commands from authorised operators,
and can handle moderately complex tasks.
They might be able to make a mechanical noise to
signify they have received and understand an
order, depending on their construction.

Jack Handling requires training tasks (limited to Intelligence) and checks to perform the task.
Now, while Iron Kingdoms has Servitors that have an Intelligence score, the Automatons from Steam and Steel has no Intelligence yet can perform most tasks AND comprehend language.

I'm considering using the Iron Kingdom rules are models present in the culture that require training and more complex design, but have the option to have customized and more powerful components. These constructs would be uniquely built and maintain diverse trainable Tasks.

This could mean that constructs crafted through Steamworks are generally mass produced, have no customizable parts, and are limited in task to their intended purpose.

 

[Enumclaw]

Could still really use some help with all these skills. I tried taking devices crafted via Steamworks and putting it into a different skill from Iron Kingdoms, however the Crafting DCs don't translate very well.

For instance, Craft Clockwork has three types: a Simple, a Complex, and an Advanced. The DC starts at 15 and increases by 10 each level. While Craft Steamwork has DC checks to create going up by 2 each time.

I'm getting the feeling I won't be able to easily merge these systems and might need to simply pick one or the other.

I like the multiple Craft skills, Servitor designs, and customizable Jacks from Iron Kingdoms. However the Mechanika craft skill rules get confusing, and aside from the constructs there aren't many items to use.

With Steam and Steel I like the multitude of gadgets to choose from, the vehicles, and the differing materials. However the constructs are essentially monsters with a build DC and have not much to customize. Unless I'm missing something it also seems there isn't even a Knowledge skill for Steamwork devices.

It's starting to drive me crazy because the Character can't be finished with skills and I can't really move onto obtaining mechanical equipment.

 

[Enumclaw]

While looking more at equipment in Steam and Steel I found many of the items I were interested in required a Caster level. This is bad considering the intended character to have the equipment and use the Craft skill is a Rogue.

I'm supposing I might simply cut out the Arcane portion.

 

[Enumclaw]

It seems improbable to just remove the acrane part of the Mechanika. However, I found Servitors can be built with only one skill (Craft Mechanika) and a Craft Wondrous Item Feat.

Constructing Servitors is pretty confusing to me though. Not even sure how to roll for succesful build.