Golems and Artificial Creations

I don't doubt it. But it would be in the Magiocrat's interest to convince the people of Negav that Magic IS the only effective solution. They might not like the Vishmintals proposing alternates to their magic. But that is probably a discussion for another topic.

Tuc135 wrote:

I don't doubt it. But it would be in the Magiocrat's interest to convince the people of Negav that Magic IS the only effective solution. They might not like the Vishmintals proposing alternates to their magic. But that is probably a discussion for another topic.

Like the othemites claiming their god created Felarya. It's something purely subjective and political. It's only to gain the favour of the people but more experienced,and pragmatic won't be fooled so easily. Indeed we enter in another topic. I didn't say your idea is bad but just it can offer some possibilities but won't become necessary a standard. You describe a possible and interesting use of golem.

Gwadahunter : Mhh you have an interesting reflexion on the limitation of those sepcial golems such as the boralite ones ^^ But I wonder if in those case the problem couldn't be just avoided by making only certain parts of their body in that special material ? like the arms or so.

Tuc135 : This is a great idea of a different use indeed and it makes sense

Karbo wrote:

Gwadahunter : Mhh you have an interesting reflexion on the limitation of those sepcial golems such as the boralite ones ^^ But I wonder if in those case the problem couldn't be just avoided by making only certain parts of their body in that special material ? like the arms or so.

If you play the game Dragon age The Orignis you will know the characters Shale a stone golem. The ability of shale can be altered by giving it some magical crystals. There a two type one for is fist the other one for its body more precisely its back. The crystal equipped for its fist alter its offensive attribute and allow its punch to have the some additional effects and deal elemental damage according the properties of the crystal and it's the same case for the bigger which alter its defensive one. As shale can shock damage as it can resist to fire, cold etc... It makes the golem more versatile and adaptable to specific situations.

To answer you, yes you can make a golem with a common base structure like wood, clay and alter it basic ability by equipped it with specific materials.

Golems for AJ

Well, Anime-Junkie, if you're reading this, here's my two cents on golems.

The traditional golem we all imagine, I think, would be a solid, humanoid, two metres tall statue made of clay. Heartless, fearless, and totally ruthless. Like a jewish Terminator. We'll call him Clay. Now we have three problems to solve before making a golem... how would magic deal with the following?

1. Clay doesn't move.
2. When Clay bends, it breaks.
3. What would Clay do?

A motor force would be easy enough. Impart the golem with enough power to move, magic's good at powering things. The third obstacle wouldn't be much of an issue either- no one has ever asked where does the controlling intelligence come from. So the main obstacle, from a structural point of view, is the second one. Baked clay isn't ellastic, and it doesn't deform, it breaks.

I think the main spell to make a golem would have to be the spell that makes it capable of moving without breaking. Even materials like iron, which can take some bending before they break, would make a godawful screeching noise (quite anti-esthetical; by the time you're working golems, you're likely past the point you care for realism. Would be a holy fucking hell of an advantage in a fight, though.) if they moved by deformation in any manner coherent with the laws of physics.

Basically, the spell I'm envisioning would have to be one that allowed metal to flow on the inside, bending an infinitesimal layer of solid itself at a time, yet stay rigid to the outside world. There's no such thing in the world, though, so there's no phenomenon I can liken it to. Maybe cornstarch, but even then I wouldn't be sure. To allow such a thing to remain mildly balanced, maybe the magic escapes through all surfaces at a set rate. If the surface/volume ratio becomes low enough, because of sufficient increase in the surface, or maybe reduction of the volume, the golem stops. To prevent a smartass from simply using several parallel saws separated by milimeters, there's a minimum thickness in any piece for it to be considered part of the golem.


Alternatively, we could say some golems work simply with self-directing force spells. Animated springs can do most of the work by compressing themselves with magic, and then releasing upon signal. Chain and rope can do the rest. This would be a lot more believable, and springs can be made big and strong, but it would only work for steel, iron, and maybe wood/vine golems.


This is a good starting point, I think. We could call them group I (Solid Animation) and group II (Dynamic Animation)?

Stabs wrote:

Golems for AJ

You did this for me?

Stabs wrote:

Well, Anime-Junkie, if you're reading this, here's my two cents on golems.

I am and I'm interested.

Stabs wrote:

The traditional golem we all imagine, I think, would be a solid, humanoid, two metres tall statue made of clay. Heartless, fearless, and totally ruthless. Like a jewish Terminator. We'll call him Clay. Now we have three problems to solve before making a golem... how would magic deal with the following?

1. Clay doesn't move.
2. When Clay bends, it breaks.

Actually, that's ceramic. Clay does move and deform, as long as it doesn't walk into a furnace and turn into ceramic or bake itself.

Stabs wrote:

3. What would Clay do?

Dunno exactly what you mean by this question so I'll respond to it in a number of ways.
For some tasks clay wouldn't have any less or more of an advantage over metal.

I guess a clay golem, in a farm field would be useful because it would be able to self repair by digging for clay and using it to patch itself up. (assuring that the region has clay).

Clay doesn't rust. There is metal that doesn't rust to (stainless steel, etc), but it's expensive. Wood golems are vulnerable to decomposition. Clay golems are not.
Basically, clay golems last the longest in terms of structure.

Stabs wrote:

A motor force would be easy enough. Impart the golem with enough power to move, magic's good at powering things. The third obstacle wouldn't be much of an issue either- no one has ever asked where does the controlling intelligence come from. So the main obstacle, from a structural point of view, is the second one. Baked clay isn't elastic, and it doesn't deform, it breaks.

Indeed. However it would be possible to have a unbaked clay golem, covered with "plates" of baked clay though.

Stabs wrote:

I think the main spell to make a golem would have to be the spell that makes it capable of moving without breaking. Even materials like iron, which can take some bending before they break, would make a godawful screeching noise (quite anti-esthetical; by the time you're working golems, you're likely past the point you care for realism. Would be a holy fucking hell of an advantage in a fight, though.) if they moved by deformation in any manner coherent with the laws of physics.

Basically, the spell I'm envisioning would have to be one that allowed metal to flow on the inside, bending an infinitesimal layer of solid itself at a time, yet stay rigid to the outside world. There's no such thing in the world, though, so there's no phenomenon I can liken it to. Maybe cornstarch, but even then I wouldn't be sure. To allow such a thing to remain mildly balanced, maybe the magic escapes through all surfaces at a set rate. If the surface/volume ratio becomes low enough, because of sufficient increase in the surface, or maybe reduction of the volume, the golem stops. To prevent a smartass from simply using several parallel saws separated by milimeters, there's a minimum thickness in any piece for it to be considered part of the golem.


Alternatively, we could say some golems work simply with self-directing force spells. Animated springs can do most of the work by compressing themselves with magic, and then releasing upon signal. Chain and rope can do the rest. This would be a lot more believable, and springs can be made big and strong, but it would only work for steel, iron, and maybe wood/vine golems.

Yes, It would.

Stabs wrote:

This is a good starting point, I think. We could call them group I (Solid Animation) and group II (Dynamic Animation)?

This idea. I don't know why I didn't come up with it, but I'm glad you did. It's great.

Well, AJ, what I meant by "what would Clay do" was "how would Clay know it was moving its limbs to perform the task at hand instead of simply flailing around". I really don't know how to go about the controlling intelligence.

It's up to you now. Glad you liked it.

I just thought of a way one could incorporate gargoyles into Felarya. Felaryians could use the term gargoyle to describe non-humanoid golems, such as ones based on kensha beasts and the like.

I had a recent idea for a new type of golem, but I can't think of a name for it. Basic ideas involves a Dridder version of a golem. Basically combines steampunk and Victorian style in a dridder form.


"A unique variant of golem bear the same overall build as their eight-legged creators, the dridders. While considered more steampunkish in design compared to other golem constructs, such as those built by humans, they are nonetheless considered far more elegant looking due to their Victorian-styled design. While possessing a greater intelligence and self-awareness compared to the typical golem, they are apparently hardwired to serve dridders no matter what they are commanded to do unless it interferes with the tasks given to it by another. Some, however, will only respond to specific codewords before receiving commands, allowing only those that know it the ability to control them.

While relatively rare nowadays, numbering only a dozen at most, they were once more prominent during the era of Sineria's reign. When Supprozad fell, many of them fell into disuse and broke down, and with the art of creating them lost, they are now a slowly vanishing marvel of the once great dridder civilization."

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Another idea, building off the one I had before with chlaenas shapers creating organic golems. Not sure about a name for them, but coralites might be used. I could see them making ones based on sea spiders, crabs, etc... that will do their bidding.


"Perfected by only those few chlaenas shapers that have mastered their art, these golems are unique even by Felaryan standards. Typically constructed from such organic materials like coral, they are given form in the shape of the various sea life that inhabits the waters of Felarya. These organic, living golems will serve their makers tirelessly and, unlike their sturdier land-dwelling counterparts, are capable of regenerating should they be damaged. Also, unlike them, shapers can create and control multiple (coralites).

Most shapers will begin with crustaceous shapes for their (coralites) as they are easier to construct and maintain, though with practice and skill they can create more complicated forms such as those of fish and squids. While this provides many benefits, the downside to these constructs is that they have a limited 'lifespan' before they revert back into their basic parts. Shapers, however, are typically unfazed by this as they can always construct more."