Constructs and Automata¶
Rules system: homebrew, the Sancturi attribute system (2019 document; nine attributes, resistances by damage type).
Lore: the Automata Core and the craft of building automata are described on Artificers; the Darahlan frames as creatures are on Constructs.
Legacy design material, not canon for play. Rules for building a construct from a frame, appendage mounts and compartments, from Constructs & Automata (S110), with the six example frames of Kahun'Darahl. Sizes are abbreviated by their initial (T Tiny, S Small, M Medium, L Large).
Building a construct¶
Frame¶
"The central part of the construct. It will define how many legs, arms, heads and other appendages the construct has. It also normally determines the size of the construct and it's base health, armor and compartments."
Example frames¶
| Frame | Size | Appendage mounts | Compartments | Base Health | Base Armor | Other attributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darahlan Tunnelbore | Medium | 1 S Head, 2 M Arms, 2 S Arms, 2 M Leg | 2 S Back, 2 S Abdomen, 2 T Chest | 40 | Physical 4, Crushing 5, Thunder 4, Fire 3, Ice 2, Blight Immune | -25% Movement, Agi 6, Dex 8, Str 16 |
| Darahlan Rockcrusher | Large | 1 L Head, 4 L Arms, 4 L Legs | 3 M Back, 3 M Abdomen, 1 S Chest, 3 T Chest | 80 | Physical 4, Crushing 5, Thunder 4, Fire 3, Ice 2, Blight Immune | -25% Movement, Agi 4, Dex 6, Str 20 |
| Darahlan Sentry | Small | 1 S Turret, 1 S Head, 2 S Arms, 4 S Legs | 2 T Chest, 1 S Abdomen | 20 | Physical 2, Thunder 2, Fire 3, Ice 2, Blight Immune | Agi 12, Dex 12, Str 14 |
| Darahlan Sentinel | Medium | 1 M Head, 2 S Turret, 1 M Turret, 2 M Arms, 2 M Legs | 1 T Chest, 2 S Chest, 2 M Abdomen | 60 | Physical 4, Lightning 4, Thunder 4, Fire 3, Ice 2, Blight Immune | Agi 8, Dex 10, Str 20 |
| Darahlan Guardian | Large | 1 L Head, 2 M Turret, 2 L Arms, 2 M Arms, 4 L Legs | 2 M Back, 2 M Abdomen, 1 T Chest, 3 S Chest | 120 | Physical 4, Lightning 4, Thunder 4, Fire 3, Ice 2, Blight Immune | Agi 8, Dex 8, Str 24 |
| Darahlan Irondwarf | Medium | 1 M Head, 2 M Arms, 2 M Legs | 2 T Chest, 2 M Abdomen | 30 | Physical 2, Thunder 2, Fire 3, Ice 2, Blight Immune | Agi 10, Dex 16, Str 20 |
- Darahlan Tunnelbore: A heavily reinforced frame used by Kahun'Darahl for digging smaller prospecting tunnels and in small mining operations. Normally fitted with an impact hammer and drill for primary arms and a shovel hand and clasping hand for secondary arms.
- Darahlan Rockcrusher: A heavily reinforced frame used by Kahun'Darahl for mining operations. Normally fitted with dual impact hammers and dual rock claws.
- Darahlan Sentry: A lightweight frame used primarily for scouting and light patrol duty. Normally fitted with a flame or lightning turret and dual blade hands.
- Darahlan Sentinel: A reinforced battle frame used for enforcement and patrol. Normally fitted with dual small flame or lightning turrets and a primary cannon or flechette turret. Hands are normally fitted with long blade hands.
- Darahlan Guardian: A reinforced battle frame used as a guardian and for enforcement. Normally fitted with dual cannon or flechette turrets. Large arms are normally fitted with long blade hands. Medium arms are fitted with shields to keep targets at bay.
- Darahlan Irondwarf: Constructed as a general purpose automata, it was especially favored by dwarven engineers for extending their own lifespan.
Appendage and compartment sizes¶
| Size | Appendage mount | Compartment |
|---|---|---|
| F - Fine | ½” diameter | 1/30 cubic inch |
| D - Diminutive | 1” diameter | 1/4 cubic inch |
| T - Tiny | 2” diameter | 3 cubic inches |
| S - Small | 4” diameter | 25 cubic inches |
| M - Medium | 8” diameter | 200 cubic inches |
| L - Large | 16” diameter | 1 cubic foot |
| H - Huge | 32” diameter | 8 cubic feet |
| G - Gargantuan | 64” diameter | 64 cubic feet |
| C- Colossal | 128” diameter | 512 cubic feet |
Appendage mounts¶
Appendages include arms, legs, heads and turret mounts. "Each performs a different function and allows the automata to be specialized for specific tasks."
Compartments¶
Compartments are internal cavities used as storage or to house vital internal systems. The examples given are power sources, the Automata Core ("soul to automata interface"), navigation systems, and communications modules such as voice processors.
Gap
The source stops at the parts list: it gives no rules for appendage types (impact hammers, drills, blade hands, turrets), power sources, costs or construction. The Darahlan Irondwarf is noted as "especially favored by dwarven engineers for extending their own lifespan", but how a dwarf's spirit is transferred is not given; the Khardic Runesmith forms that animate machines are on Runesmith Forms - Foundry and Power.