Homebrew Automaton Species Details

An incredibly complex clockwork creature, whose tiny delicate workings can survive through the centuries. Most are designed for only a few limited tasks, but the most complex could be considered thinking, feeling beings-- or at least, they are indistinguishable from them. They may be considered pieces of art as much as devices, designed to be graceful, beautiful and often with the ability to draw, sing or play various instruments. Their faces and hands are finely carved and painted, but their bodies, intended to be hidden under fancy clothing, may be rougher hewn or with visible mechanisms. Automata do not need to sleep; however, they must spend several hours every day winding up their clockwork motor. If the motor is not wound, the automata will stop functioning, entering a death-like state until they are wound. The crank may be detachable or permanently affixed, and will likely make a sound when turned unless well-oiled. A detachable crank may be fashioned in the form of a key, knife handle, or other such object.

Automaton Traits

Automata do not need to sleep, are immune to poison and necrosis, and are multitalented

Wind-Up Boy

Every day, the automata must spend several hours (equivalent to a short rest) turning a crank to wind their motors. If the motor is not wound, after ~36 hours, the automata will stop functioning, entering a death-like state until they are wound. The crank may be detachable or permanently affixed, and will likely make a sound when turned unless well-oiled. A detachable crank may be fashioned in the form of a key, knife handle, or other such object, varying widely in size.

Mechanical Immunity

Automatons are immune to poison and necrotic damage, and resistant to cold, fire and piercing damage.

Uncanny Valley

Due to the uncanny nature of the automaton, they take a permanent -2 Charisma, and anyone seeing them for the first time will be startled and perhaps even unsettled, a feeling which usually fades with increased familiarity.