Construct

Golems and Warforged

Golems are constructs that are normally under the control of their creator, and either follow set commands, or are inhabited by a spirit or mind that can direct their actions.

Warforged or Wensharian “manowar” as they are known are similar yet possess their own intelligence and motivation. In the days of the Wensharian Empire, their artificers experimented with advanced golem creating techniques, in order to create more efficient soldiers and laborers.

Some artificers focused on the forging of fiends and devils into constructs, while others attempted to actually create a new spirit into the construct’s form. The binding of fiends into constructs was successful, but carried considerable risk, as the fiends within would constantly struggle against their controller and creators.

The artificers creating new spirits and constructs finally achieved success by searching for long lost knowledge of the ancients. Whether they succeeded by following the path of research, or finding lost examples of advanced golems is unknown.

The golems created by the Wensharians were effectively free-willed, but could be controlled by items created by the artificers. They majority of golems created were of limited intelligence, suitable as shock troops, and became the bulk of the Wensharian manowar troops.

On occasion, more advanced golems, or warforged, as they termed themselves, were created in the Wensharian forges. These golem exhibited higher forms of intelligence, and greater skill, with some even achieving success in utilizing magic.

Many of the golems were slain or destroyed during the Wensharian civil war. The forges and knowledge of how to create free-willed golems was lost. Some manowar still exist, either as guardians under the control of their owner, or slumbering within lost weapon caches. Of the more intelligent warforged, few are known to exist. One warforged, named Sage Indus, remains within the library of the capital city of Varencia, patiently researching the history of his kind, while a warrior called “Two-Blades” is rumored to have served with various adventuring groups through the years.

 

The creation of self willed golems is frowned upon by most countries due to the ethical nature of creating creatures designed to only to serve. However, for many mages the fine line between a golem that has a spirit imprisoned within it and a free willed construct is easily crossed, and many mages search eagerly for that lost knowledge.

Rumors abound of lost caverns full of golem armies waiting to be awakened and called up for war. Some of the rumors even speak of pre-Wensharian golems, suspended in time awaiting the return of their ancient unknown masters.

 

PLAYER NOTE: The background outlined above allows a widespread of character options when creating a “warforged”. A timeless servant or slave that has been set free, or a recently unearthed individual from a forgotten battle, the options are varied. Be aware that most people will call you a “golem” and expect you to be dull witted and a servant or tool.