Category:Dread Golem

This section contains canon info from officially published sources

A dread golem is a golem created with the dread golem template. It is not a mindless creature, but rather one that is both conscious and self-conscious. Its maker is a dread golemcrafter who is engaged, whether he or she realises it or not, in dread golemcrafting, dread constructcrafting, dread crafting, and dread creation. The competences of constructcrafting and golemcrafting are not presupposed. The dread golem is created 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 creation of a dread golem is certainly Powers Check worthy, 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 maker of a dread golem 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 golems 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 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 dread golems is Ravenloft Lore and Knowledge (Ravenloft). Arcane Lore and Knowledge (arcana) are useful, but afford no information about the ways in which dread golems differ from golems, and so may even offer information that is, in certain points, dangerously inaccurate. For example that a golem is a mindless creature firmly under control of its maker.

Updated Information

Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II, p120 has new information about the Skills, Feats, and Advancement of Dread Golems.

Errata

Regeneration (Ex) should read: “The dread golem gains Regeneration 5. Two relatively common varieties of damage must be selected that deal normal damage to the golem. Dread flesh golems, for example, are frequently unable to regenerate fire or acid damage. As a construct, the dream golem remains immune to attacks that would normally inflict subdual damage. The dread golem cannot regrow lost body parts, but it can reattach severed body parts instantly by holding them against the stump.”. (Errata)

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

		Ravenloft Third Edition Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I Van Richten's Guide to The Created Monsterous Compendium I & II - pp26-27 Monsterous Compendium I - "Golem, Ravenloft" Denizens of Darkness Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II - p120
		Ravenloft Third Edition - p190 Denizens of Darkness - p69
		Ravenloft Third Edition - pp190-192 Monsterous Compendium I & II - pp26-27 Monsterous Compendium I - "Golem, Ravenloft" Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I - pp198, 221, 239 Van Richten's Guide to The Created - pp23, 29, 33, 48 Denizens of Darkness - pp67-68 Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume II - p120
		Ravenloft Third Edition - pp190-192 Monsterous Compendium I & II - pp26-27 Monsterous Compendium I - "Golem, Ravenloft" Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium I - Section, the Third: The Created Van Richten's Guide to The Created - throughout Denizens of Darkness - p68
		The Created Construct Golem, Dread