Working on an awakened construct template

[ChimericDream]

I'm working on something for my home game, and only SRD/OGC sources are allowed. I wasn't able to find anything that suited my needs there, so I'm making one.

Using the Warforged as the primary inspiration, here's what I've got so far. I think I just about have it done, except figuring out what the CR and LA numbers should be.

Creating An Awakened Construct
"Awakened Construct" is an acquired template that can be added to any construct (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
An awakened construct uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Size and Type: The creature's type remains construct, and it gains the augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base attack bonus, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.

Hit Dice: Same as the base creature.

Speed: Same as the base creature.

Armor Class: Same as the base creature.

Attack: Same as the base creature. An awakened construct may use manufactured weapons in addition to or in place of its regular attacks, due to its aquired proficiencies.

Full Attack: Same as the base creature. An awakened construct may use manufactured weapons in addition to or in place of its regular attacks, due to its aquired proficiencies.

Damage: Same as the base creature or as appropriate for manufactured weapons the awakened construct may choose to use.

Special Attacks: Same as the base creature.

Special Qualities:
Sentience (Ex): An awakened construct loses its immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects).

Healing (Ex): Awakened constructs heal damage at half the rate of normal living creatures. In addition, normal healing spells (cure spells, heal, etc) work on an awakened construct, though they only cure half as many hit points as normal. Likewise, inflict spells work on an awakened construct, dealing half as much damage as normal.

[Clay/Flesh/Metal/Stone] Body (Ex): Awakened constructs made from clay are affected by spells such as transmute mud to rock. Those made from flesh are subject to spells such as transmute flesh to stone. Awakened constructs made from metal take double damage from heat metal / chill metal as though wearing metal armor. Awakened constructs made from stone are vulnerable to spells such as transmute stone to flesh or transmute rock to mud. In any of these cases, the awakened construct gains a +8 racial bonus on their save.

Saves: An awakened construct gains a +8 racial bonus to saves vs mind-affecting effects. It can choose to suppress this ability at will.

Abilities: An awakened construct gains base Intelligence and Charisma scores of 10, modified as follows based on the construct's materials:
Clay Golem - Int +2, Cha +2
Flesh Golem - Int -2, Cha +2
Iron Golem - Int +0, Cha +6
Stone Golem - Int +2, Cha +4
Mithral Golem - Int +6, Cha +4
Adamantine Golem - Int +4, Cha +6
Other Golem/Construct - Subject to DM approval
An awakened construct, just like a normal one, has no Constitution score.

Skills: An awakened construct gains skill points equal to (2 + it's new Intelligence modifier) x (total HD + 3). It's class skills are: balance (Dex), climb (Str), intimidate (Cha), jump (Str), listen (Wis), search (Int), spot (Wis), and swim (Str).

Feats: An awakened construct gains a number of feats equal to 1 + (total HD / 3), rounded down.

Environment: Any, usually same as base creature.

Organization: Same as the base creature.

Challenge Rating: Based on original construct type:
Clay Golem -
Flesh Golem -
Iron Golem -
Stone Golem -
Mithral Golem -
Adamantine Golem -
Other Golem/Construct - Subject to DM approval

Treasure: Standard.

Alignment: Usually lawful or true neutral.

Advancement: Same as the base creature, or by character class.

Level Adjustment: Based on original construct type:
Clay Golem -
Flesh Golem -
Iron Golem -
Stone Golem -
Mithral Golem -
Adamantine Golem -
Other Golem/Construct - Subject to DM approval

I want to keep this fairly simple, and basically make it a construct with sentience, and not something with a whole lot of other abilities. Opinions on the balance and flavor?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

You may wish to scope out Savage Species- there is a template called "Living Construct" that may prove helpful.

 

[ChimericDream]

I took a look at that before I started, but it takes the concept in a very different direction. The Incarnate Constructs from SS wind up as actual humanoid creatures, but I'm looking for these to be more similar to the warforged, in that they are still constructs, just with sentience.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I understand- however, I think it will still provide you with some guidance. Furthermore, as I recall, Savage Species has some guidelines as to LAs for Awakened creatures as PCs (beyond what is detailed in the Awaken spell) which may also prove useful.

The Living Construct template actually has a negative LA as I recall, probably due to its taking on a fleshy form and attendant weaknesses, whereas yours retains the construct nature...but there are still certain abilities that get kept or dropped because of each one.

I would start from the premise that in many regards, the Flesh Golem should be closest in LA to the Living Construct- see where the template differs from the creature to which you're trying to add yours, and determine LA for an Awakened Construct. Using that baseline, work your way up the ladder, as it were.