Mechanix - construct lich?

[apesamongus]

Ok, the basic idea here is a construct based Mechanix template - a bid for immortality from a caster willing to sacrifice the flesh for power and immortality. This is a first draft, so I'm going to just copy the Mechanix and make changes from there, describibng why certain changes were made. Then comes the big trick of figuring out appropriate LA for the template - plus, setting up a level progression for it.

Mechanix
A Mechanix is a spellcaster, usually a wizard or sorcerer but sometimes a cleric or other spellcaster, who has used its magical powers to unnaturally extend its life by magically fusing it's body with enchanted mechanical parts.
Mechanix can vary greatly in appearance. They all tend to look pale and awkward, but some look almost completely human, while others display their mechanical nature with readily visible alterations to their body.
Mechanixes speak Common plus any other languages they knew in life.

CREATING A Mechanix
“Mechanix” is an acquired template that can be added to any humanoid creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature), provided it can create and implant the proper parts; see The Mechanix’s Alterations, below.

***I see no problem with a Monstrous Humanoid Mechanix or a Giant Mechanix or even an Aberation Mechanix, but I don't see a problem with any of those creatures becoming a Lich either, so I decided to leave it the same as Lich and have it be a GM discression type of thing***

A Mechanix has all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to Construct. Do not recalculate base attack bonus, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
Hit Dice: Change all current and future Hit Dice to d10s. Additionally, add bonus HP determined by size (see Construct Type).
Armor Class: A Mechanix has a +5 natural armor bonus or the base creature’s natural armor bonus, whichever is better.
Attack: Same as Base Creature.

***I'm considering adding a natural "Slam" attack, but it seems out of place somehow.***

Full Attack: Same as Base Creature.
Damage: Same as Base Creature.
Special Attacks: A Mechanix retains all the base creature’s special attacks and gains those described below. Save DCs are equal to 10 + 1/2 Mechanix’s HD + Mechanix’s Cha modifier unless otherwise noted.

***trying to come up with something appropriate.***

Spells: A Mechanix can cast any spells it could cast while alive.
Special Qualities: A Mechanix retains all the base creature’s special qualities and gains those described below.
Damage Reduction (Su): A Mechanix’s body is tough, giving the creature damage reduction 15/piercing and magic. Its natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

***not sure why I chose piercing, but bludgeoning seemed wrong. also, since it's mean to me magically fused mechanical bits with the body, the magic DR still made sense. I might think about dropping the part about natural weapoins since the template doesn't add any natural weapons.***

Immunities (Ex): Mechanixes have immunity to cold, fire, polymorph (though they can use polymorph effects on themselves), and mind-affecting attacks.

***dropped electrical immunity for obvious reasons, but fire seemed a good replacement. Not sure if I should add vulnerability to sonics.***

Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +2. Being a construct, a Mechanix has no Constitution score.

***some physical boost might seem more appropriate than the mental boosts, but I want this to be a close analog of the lich, and it's supposed to be a caster who turns construct for longevity, not really for physical prowess.***

Skills: Mechanixes have a +8 racial bonus on Disable Device, Listen, Open Locks, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot checks. A Mechanix uise Charisma instead of Constitution for Concentration. Otherwise same as the base creature.

***Well, constructs normally don't get the charisma to concentration thing like undead do, but for a caster centric template, it seemed wrong to leave it out. And really, for an intelligent construct, it seemed to make as much sense as using it for an undead. Also, hide and move silently seemed inappropriate, so I switched in Disable device and Open locks. They still don't seem exactly right, so I'm thinking of switching one or the other - maybe both - out for a bonus to all Craft skills***

Organization: Solitary (1 Mechanix)

***I thought about mentioning possible familiars, but lich didn't mention it, so I skipped it***

Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature + 2.
Treasure: Standard coins; double goods; double items.
Alignment: Any.
Advancement: By character class.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.

OK, compared to a regular lich, the mechanix isn't vulnerable to positive energy/cleric turning, but also can't heal with negative energy. Offensively, it doesn't have the touch attack, the paralyzing touch, or the fear aura. That doesn't seem enough to drop it to LA+3, but too much of a loss to leave it at +4. I'm unsure what to add to bring it up to speed.

I'm thinking a certain customizability (possibly even modularity) might work. So, that the mechanix would be able to choose one or two special abilities (bonus to str or dex, natural attack, vision boost - a short general list, not a complex list of gadgets).

There's also the issue of the phylactery. I suppose that the existance of a phylactery would be easy enough, but the idea of reforming far away seems kind of over the top for a non-undead. But, again, I can't think of anything comperable to replace such a substantial and useful power with. Anything that didn't offer a comperable level of immortality would be both counter to the purpose of the template, but also should require some re-balancing of CR/LA.

Any suggestions?

 

[ARandomGod]

Suggestions...

My first is, Why make it a "lich"? Why not just have it something that someone can pay to do, even a non-spellcaster?

Second: Why give all of them level adjustments? Come up with a basic body with no LA, and then have some add-ons that can be LA if you want.

Or, have additions that can be purchased like normal magic items. So the wealthy can have 0 ECL as well.

Anyhow, the phylactery is the major selling point of a lich IMO. That's the issue that makes them neigh unkillable. Mage-liches don't use their natural attack, or whatnot. And they don't really need the energy immunities, there are spells to cover that. LA hurts casters more than anyone else. But without a phylactery, why would a mage try to do this horrible thing to himself? He's not really getting any actual unkillability out of it at all.

You COULD have a large machine that turns out the mechanix body, where the 'soul' is stored, and it will remake a new body which will leave from there if the old one is killed. That's phylactery enough. It could even be a small machine that constructs the new body and holds the essense of the mage when that essence isn't in the larger machine.

In fact, that's probably best for a "phylactery". THere are two machines. A little one that normally site quisient while the spirit is in it's traveling body, and only turns on to construct a new traveling body when the old body is destroyed.

 

[yennico]

You COULD have a large machine that turns out the mechanix body, where the 'soul' is stored, and it will remake a new body which will leave from there if the old one is killed. That's phylactery enough. It could even be a small machine that constructs the new body and holds the essense of the mage when that essence isn't in the larger machine.

In fact, that's probably best for a "phylactery". THere are two machines. A little one that normally site quisient while the spirit is in it's traveling body, and only turns on to construct a new traveling body when the old body is destroyed.

I like your idea. The mechanix body which is something similar to a golem is the body of the spellcaster which he uses in combat.The wizard transfers only his mind into the body. It is something like a golem with a brain. If the body is destroyed the mind travels back to another mechanix body.

 

[Stormborn]

Or you could check out the Iron Lich in Monsternomicon and work backwards from there.

 

[justinsluder]

Nothing to actually contribute

I'm sorry, but I can't help myself


We are the Borg. Resistance is futile.

 

[Nifft]

Suggestions:

1/ Constructs traditionally have DR/adamantine. For this dude, DR n/adamantine and magic seems apt.

2/ Your typical lich has a phylactery that is his one weak spot. Lichen* go to great lengths to keep this thingamabob secret and safe. Your dude needs something similar. Here's my idea: a brain in a jar. A magic jar, to be specific, but it must be his actual physical living brain in a freekin' jar. Maybe his whole bloated, rotting, water-logged body is loosly attached to his malevolent green-glowing pulsating brain. Maybe the "jar" is really a man-sized crystal test tube. Certainly fits the whole "eeeeeevil scientist" theme of a mechanical undying lich-dude.

3/ Process and mechanics of immortality. The body of a lich may be destroyed, in which case its soul travels to a skeleton near its phylactery. This dude should do something similar, his mind traveling back to his unnaturally preserved body just long enough to inwardly scream at the hideous necrotic alchemical poison that preserves his body just on this side of hell's door, and then he should mind-jump into one of his army of robo-shells.

4/ Attacks. Don't just give one standard one. Make them pay for the attacks... and the rest of the body's abilities. Maybe base the bodies off of the astral construct power, and charge a standard price in GP and XP to make 'em, plus standard weapon & armor prices to augment the constructs (with integral armor and weapons, of course). Your typical mechalich would have 4-10 of these bodies, each for different tasks.

-- N


*) Of course the plural of "lich" is "lichen".