Clockwork Animals
I want to adopt a cute pet in your world. What is it and how do I look after one?
Normal clockwork creations are little better than novelty toys, moving between two or three positions and perhaps a pre-programmed piece of dialog. The Clockwork Animals of Kosan on the other hand, are only distinguishable from the real thing by their bodies. By imbuing a small shard of Icesteel Ore with magic known only to master clocksmiths, the automatons are enhanced greatly. Due to the rarity of Icesteel however, these fantastic creations are mostly reserved for nobility and the rich. Clockwork Animals are relatively recent, with the first creation being about 50 years ago. The most common forms are bird shapes; ravens, songbirds, or owls. They are used to carry messages over short distances, within a city or a building. There are also clockwork dogs, cats, even miniatures of larger beasts such as griffins. These tend to be slightly more expensive however as more materials are required to account for the extra moving parts.
Over the first month after their creation, the Clockwork Animal will develop a personality of sorts. The personality is not predetermined though it can be affected by their form. It is not, however, dictated by it. This means that no form is more predisposed to a particular personality type than another. As an example, it is possible for a rabbit-like Animal to develop an aggressive personality.
Over the first month after their creation, the Clockwork Animal will develop a personality of sorts. The personality is not predetermined though it can be affected by their form. It is not, however, dictated by it. This means that no form is more predisposed to a particular personality type than another. As an example, it is possible for a rabbit-like Animal to develop an aggressive personality.
Care and Maintenance
Clockwork Animals require very little maintenance, though they seem to delight in a good polishing once in a while. The magic which animates them seems to suck ambient magic from the air as they "sleep", following roughly the same kind of schedule that a flesh and blood version of their form would follow. They do not, however, need to eat or drink. The clocksmiths recommend a thorough inspection of their runic etchings once a month, or after any collisions or roughhousing that might occur.Procurement
Currently, Clockwork Animals are only found within Kosan, unless you can manage to find a master clocksmith traveling abroad. Depending on the desired form, the cost to acquire an Animal can be 250gp or higher. Master clocksmiths will usually carry a shard of Icesteel or two with them, and will factor the cost of it into their total. Creation of the Animal takes no less than 4 days if the clocksmith has access to a proper workshop, and more than a week if they do not.Familiars
Clockwork Animals can also be used as Familiars, though they must be built specifically for this purpose as it requires some modification of the runic etchings that accompany the Icesteel shard at their core. If you wish to use a Clockwork Animal as a familiar, it costs an additional 50gp to create one. Once completed and bonded to their owner, the Animal can be repaired with a week of downtime like any other familiar. Clockwork Animals are constructs and are immune to bleed damage, death effects, disease, healing, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, poison, and the doomed, drained, fatigued, paralyzed, sickened, and unconscious conditions. They do not have the mindless trait, and have a hardness of 5.Additional Information
Average Intelligence
Clockwork Animals are no smarter than your average dog or parrot.
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