Category:Dread Constructcrafting

This section contains canon info from officially published sources

Dread constructcrafting is the dread crafting of either a golem created with the dread golem template or a less elaborate dread construct such as the carrionette, one of the figurines, the living wall, or the wishing imp. Dread constructcrafting is, whether one realises it or not, dread crafting and dread creation. What is achieved is achieved with at least a dash of dark desire and at least a smidgeon of assistance from the Dark Powers. One need not be so much as a novice at magic to create a dread construct. Equally, one can be the most gifted scientific mind in the Land of Mists but the construct will not animate save by the fiat of the Dark Powers. Crafting a dread construct is often will to the creation of life and as such is hubris and transgression. Dread constructing is usually Powers Check worthy, but such a check may be unnecessary as the dread construct itself may be "reward" enough as was Maligno for Guiseppe. Dread constructs do not necessarily wish their makers dead (figurines, living walls and golems do), but they certainly wish them ill ([the wishing imp being archetypical of this).

The maker of a dread construct is a bit like a cyclist. The cyclist knows how to ride his or her bicycle. But he or she cannot explain the physics involved. Dread constructs are crafted by individuals who do not truly know the "how" of "what" they are doing. They do not understand the role of dark desire in their creation and they do not recognise the hand of the Dark Powers in its animation.

Knowledge of dread constructs is Ravenloft Lore and Knowledge (Ravenloft). Arcane Lore and Knowledge (arcana) are useful, but afford no information about the ways in which dread constructs differ from constructs, and so may even offer information that is, in certain points, dangerously inaccurate.