Category:Dread Golemcrafter

This section contains canon info from officially published sources

The dread golemcrafter is the dread crafter of a golem created with the dread golem template. The dread golemcrafter is engaged in, whether he realises it or not, dread golemcrafting, dread constructcrafting, dread crafting, and dread creation. The competences of the constructcrafter and golemcrafter are not presupposed. What is achieved is achieved through dark desire and the assistance of the Dark Powers. One need not be even so much as a novice at magic to create a dread golem. Equally, one can be the most gifted scientific mind in the Land of Mists but the golem will not animate save by the fiat of the Dark Powers. Making a dread golem is will to the creation of life and as such is hubris and transgression. The dread golemcrafter is certainly worthy of a Powers Check, but such a check may be unnecessary as the dread golem itself is "reward" enough. Dread golems are " natural patricides", being destined to attempt the murder of their maker.

The dread golemcrafter 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 golemcrafters do not truly know the "how" of "what" they are doing. They do not understand the role of dark desire in the creation of their golem and they do not recognise the hand of the Dark Powers in its animation. Nor do they appreciate the consequences . . . . Neither Emil Bollenbach nor Dr. Victor Mordenheim constitute exceptions. Both believe that their wonders are works of biological and medical science. Mordenheim, at the very least, does not even realise that Adam is not a member of the living, but is rather one of the created. Adam is, for him, a living thing whose definition is strictly a matter of biology. Other makers are, in their own ways, no less deluded. Their creations are, for example, works of "advanced alchemy" or "advanced chemistry", or "gifted metallurgy" or "gifted woodworking", or a "parent's love" or an enemy's "hatred", or even "divine favour". Individuals such as Azalin Rex or members of the Fraternity of Shadows who have a firm understanding of the process of creating a dread golem wisely choose not to do so.

Knowledge of the particulars of the dread golemcrafter's craft is Ravenloft Lore and Knowledge (Ravenloft). Arcane Lore and Knowledge (arcana) are useful, but afford no information about the ways in which the dread golemcrafter differs from the golemcrafter, and so may even offer information that is, in certain points, dangerously inaccurate. For example that the maker of a dread golem is the maker of a mindless creature firmly under his or her control.