Golems

Golems are ancient constructs of stone and metal empowered by a spark of lyrium and a Dwarven soul. Towering and mighty, they embody unparalleled strength and resilience.

Though their forms appear immortal, their numbers remain scarce. They are crafted to serve, protect, and conquer. A testament to Dwarven craftsmanship, Golems speak rarely, but act boldly.

Biological Traits

Golems are typically towering, stocky, and powerfully built, a Dwarf given height and layers of stone for flesh in most regards for appearance. They exhibit the following general characteristics:

Height & Build: Any that end up on the surface stand between 220 - 260cm tall, being chiseled down to fit through doorways. All are powerfully built.
Form & Structure: Primarily constructed from stone or metal, all Golems have an immense physical durability.
Longevity: Golems are ageless, unaffected by the passage of time.
Limited Mobility: Often slower and less agile; precision and speed are sacrificed for strength.
Immunity & Vulnerabilities: Immune to disease, fatigue, and poison, but susceptible to anti-magic effects due to being powered by lyrium.

Each Golem player can choose their specific type at creation. Below are the variations of Golems:

Sentinels: Carved from dense granite or similar stone, or constructed from reinforced steel, these are the most common Golems. Incredibly durable and reliable, they are guardians and frontline warriors. (+2 Armor to all Hit Locations)
Crystal: Forged from enchanted crystal, these constructs are rare and exhibit greater magical resistance. They are more fragile physically for it. (+2 Magic Resistance)
Watcher: Designed for observation and reconnaissance, Watcher Golems feature enhanced magical sensors, smoother surfaces for quieter approach, and precise motor skills. (+3 Movement)

Racial Traits

Lifespan: Ageless

Height: 220 - 260cm

Languages: Common, Dwarvish

Physique: Gigantic Humanoid

Movement Rate: 5 Tiles

Features

Base Race - Dwarf: All Dwarf Features

Standard Skills +5: All physical skills
Available Cultures: Dwarven Thaig

Rock & Stone: All Hit Locations have 8 Armor. Cannot wear any Armor.

Unstoppable: Movement is always 5, or 8 if Watcher

Immunities: Bleed

Tireless: Does not suffer the effects of Fatigue, but Healing Rate is always 0, and Hit Locations do not recover Hit Points when they hit 0. When all limbs are 0, a Golem is Inert (Unconscious)

Creation and Nature

The creation of a Golem is a complex art, and one now lost.

Paragon Caridin first created Golems in -225 Ancient, when the Blight was threatening the very existence of the dwarven race. Caridin built the Anvil of the Void specifically for the process of building Golems. Because he could not create life, he had to use Dwarf volunteers and turn them into Golems.

The process involves dressing the volunteer in armor the size of the Golem, then pouring molten lyrium through the eye holes, mouth hole, and joints of the armor. Before it cools, before the Dwarf can succumb to the agonizing misery that is their last moments of life, they must suffer as the armor is hammered and shaped to perfection. The Golem is then animated with a spark of lyrium, making it more of a living "steel/stone" creature.

The Golem is then inscribed with runes that grant it proper animation, obedience, and purpose. An enchanted control rod exists for each Golem, they are used to make them perfect soldiers, at the cost of their free will. However, if a Golem lacks a control rod, be it a mistake at creation, lost, dispelled, or no owner actively using it, a Golem can retain its free will. There is even the potential for the sacrificed Dwarven soul to have its former personality return.

Golems have a very sharp memory and can recall the most minor of things that happened ages ago.

HISTORY

The first Golem was created in -255 Ancient by the Paragon smith Caridin using the enchanted Anvil of the Void, which he had also built specifically for the process of building Golems. Because he could not create new life, Dwarf volunteers had to be used to power the Golems. Eventually, however, King Valtor's abuse of the process led to Caridin's rebellion. As punishment, Caridin himself was turned into a Golem; however, because his apprentices failed to craft a proper control rod for him, Caridin retained his free will and intellect as a Golem. Caridin then fled into the Deep Roads with the Anvil of the Void and thus halted the creation of new Golems.

After the loss of the Anvil and the means of Golem construction, the Dwarves started losing ground once again to the Darkspawn. Yet, they still retained many Golems within the army. Most notably is the Legion of Steel, an all-golem regiment numbering 126 Golems.

Out of desperation, in the second year of the reign of Queen Getha, the Dwarves sent the entire Legion of Steel into the Deep Roads with orders to recover Paragon Caridin. No Golems returned. Due to the incalcuable loss of the Legion of Steel, Queen Getha was deposed, and the Shaperate declared Caridin dead and never again allowed an all-golem unit into the Deep Roads. Golems became only used in the most dire of emergencies.

Other dwarven smiths have sought to rediscover Caridin's secrets, but to no avail... Today. Golems are scarce, keeping to their roles as the last line of defense for thaigs or being worked into important harvesters of resources. Those who have managed to be without a control rod, or somehow escape to the surface, each hold a unique tale. One they likely will not share, or will do so in a manner defying of its interesting nature, their short manner of speech willing it so.