howandwhy99
Adventurer
Wandering Monsters - Construction Ahead
This didn't seem to make it into the News threads. New article on all things Golem.
This didn't seem to make it into the News threads. New article on all things Golem.
I also didn't like the elemental spirit bit. Suppose, I don't like the elemental plane of earth in my games why should that line be the default? Why is it even needed, it doesn't really add anything or explain the reason why it is moving around any more than why a sword which is on fire is capable of being on fire.. or does that need an elemental fire spirit too?
Actually not exactly where I was going with it. But it is true that I do think that is true.I think what Tovec is looking for is a golem template to be applied to any base creature. I second that thought, and add that I hope we see templates of some sort make a return in DDN.
Nowhere in that (linked) description did I see anything about instructions on how to make a golem..?Keep in mind, though, that these are just the most prolific of golems. If a schematic tells you how to build a treadmill, you could try to build a stair-climber instead, but you would need more knowledge and understanding of how to modify that to your own ends.
That is fair. I understand older touches like that exist in a lot of descriptions. Good eye for catching it, if that is where it comes from.I'm pretty sure the elemental spirit thing goes back to 1e or maybe even earlier.
My question is that what does that explanation add if it hasn't been around since 1e? If 3 other editions have had no other mentions of a earth spirit to give the golems life, is it still necessary? If it doesn't add anything, is it included only to give people who knew the 1e version something to squeal over?
More importantly, if it doesn't add anything should it still be included? I can even reverse that and say; if it IS included then I think it should add something. Even if we choose to ignore or change it. Similarly, they could go back to the jewish telling of the golem for inspiration and use that as a stock description. It can in that case be thrown out as easily or refluffed as needed - as I'm sure the WotC definition will be. I just wonder what value the "earth spirit" adds.