Metamagicked Awaken Construct

[TYPO5478]

The Spell Compendium has a spell called awaken construct.[sblock]AWAKEN CONSTRUCT
Transmutation
Level: Cleric 9, sorcerer/wizard 9
Components: V, S, M, XP
Casting Time: 8 hours
Range: Touch
Target: One construct
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)

Tendrils of writhing light cover your hand and the brain it holds. The light disperses into the construct you touch, enveloping it in a soft white corona for several seconds before the creature’s body absorbs the radiance.

This spell awakens a humanoid-shaped construct to humanlike sentience. An awakened construct’s Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores are all 3d6. The spell does not work on constructs that are constructs only temporarily (such as objects affected by an animate objects spell). The awakened creature is independent of both you and the being who originally made it, though it is initially friendly toward both you and its maker. (See MM 290 for information on skills and feats the creature gains.)

Material Component: The brain of a humanoid that has been dead less than 8 hours.
XP Cost: 5,000 XP.[/sblock]Is there any reason this spell couldn't be affected by an empower metamagic rod or a sudden maximize? How about both (giving the construct a 27 in Int, Wis, and Cha)?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Is there any reason this spell couldn't be affected by an empower metamagic rod or a sudden maximize? How about both (giving the construct a 27 in Int, Wis, and Cha)?

It wouldn't be 27; it would be 18 + (3d6 x .5).

The answer would be the same as the answer to the same question for the Awaken spell from the PHB.

-Hyp.

 

[TYPO5478]

It wouldn't be 27; it would be 18 + (3d6 x .5).

I see. I didn't realize that's how the combination of those effects works.

The answer would be the same as the answer to the same question for the Awaken spell from the PHB.

So what's the answer to that question? Yes? No? DM dependent?

 

[Hypersmurf]

I see. I didn't realize that's how the combination of those effects works.

There's a note on each of those feats about how they interact with the other.

So what's the answer to that question? Yes? No? DM dependent?

I'd say dependent - it depends on what the DM considers to be a variable numeric effect of the spell.

My personal rule of thumb is that if the variable number appears in the spell text and is not just a reiteration of a rule defined elsewhere, it's viable - so I'd be inclined to allow it, myself.

-Hyp.

 

[TYPO5478]

I'd say dependent - it depends on what the DM considers to be a variable numeric effect of the spell.

Fair enough.

Just one question: what interpretation of "variable numeric effect" would exclude "3d6"?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Just one question: what interpretation of "variable numeric effect" would exclude "3d6"?

The same one that might prevent a Maximized Summon Monster from maximizing the 7d8 hit dice of your summoned creature. If the DM deems that the effect of the spell is to make the animal (or construct) an Awakened animal, and it is the state of being an Awakened animal that grants the Intelligence - rather than the direct result of the spell itself - then the spell is indirectly resulting in the 3d6 Intelligence.

As an analogy - let's say I use an Empowered Telekinesis to Bull Rush someone off a cliff. Is the 10d6 falling damage multiplied by 1.5? It's variable and numeric, and it occurs because of the spell... but it is an indirect result of the spell, not a variable numeric effect of the spell.

-Hyp.

 

[Particle_Man]

If some insane wizard Awakened an Astral Construct would the AC still disappear at the end of its duration, or would it "stick around" by virtue of being sentient?

 

[Nifft]

If some insane wizard Awakened an Astral Construct would the AC still disappear at the end of its duration, or would it "stick around" by virtue of being sentient?

IMHO the astral construct would experience deep existential angst, albeit briefly.

-- N

 

[TYPO5478]

The same one that might prevent a Maximized Summon Monster from maximizing the 7d8 hit dice of your summoned creature. If the DM deems that the effect of the spell is to make the animal (or construct) an Awakened animal, and it is the state of being an Awakened animal that grants the Intelligence - rather than the direct result of the spell itself - then the spell is indirectly resulting in the 3d6 Intelligence.

As an analogy - let's say I use an Empowered Telekinesis to Bull Rush someone off a cliff. Is the 10d6 falling damage multiplied by 1.5? It's variable and numeric, and it occurs because of the spell... but it is an indirect result of the spell, not a variable numeric effect of the spell.

Interesting. In your two analogous examples, I'd say that neither the hit dice of a summoned creature nor the falling damage are actually spell effects (therefore not modified by Maximize spell). With awaken construct though, I think the ability scores gained from the spell are a direct spell effect. I interpret the spell as awakening a construct because it gains 3d6 Int, not the other way around.

 

[TYPO5478]

If some insane wizard Awakened an Astral Construct would the AC still disappear at the end of its duration, or would it "stick around" by virtue of being sentient?

I'm not familiar with astral constructs. You mean like an Inevitable or something?