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Dread golems, otherwise known as a Golem of Obsession or the Created, were a distinct template for golems in the realm of Ravenloft.
Behavior[]
Dread golems were far more intelligent than regular golems and experienced a psychological maturation overtime. Rudolph van Richten devised a rough outline of the stages of most golems' mental development, derived from his own research into the creatures as well as the treatise "Foundations of Morality" by Dr. Wilhelm Kohl.
Stage One - Dependence[]
In this stage golems were still wracked with shock from the spirit binding process. They displayed a child-like dependence upon their creators and may view them as an infallible god-like being. They spent much of their time during this stage learning how to move about in their bodies. This stage typically lasted a few days to over a month.
Stage Two - Confusion[]
By the time a golem reached this stage the shock of the spirit binding process had faded. During this stage they grew to recognize how they differed from their creator, often feeling some repulsion at their appearance, and begins to question the omnipotence of their creator. They may even approach their creator with a request to be given a more "pleasing" form.
Stage Three - Betrayal[]
Once one of a golem's demands is rejected by their creators, or their desire friendship has been rejected, they progress to this third stage of development. During this stage a golem began moving towards greater depths of isolation, feeling rejected by and isolated from the world at large. They also began examining how they differed from other creatures and testing their abilities. A golem spent much of their time in this stage rebelling against their creator, venting their frustration through escalating acts of mayhem and murder.
Stage Four - Contempt[]
To be filled in later...
Stage Five - Hatred[]
To be filled in later...
| This article is incomplete. Stages four and five of the maturity of the Dread Golem are missing. You can help the Ravenloft Wiki by providing more information. |
Living Souls[]
The process by which the souls of living creatures were transferred to golems often caused degradation to their personality and memories, in some cases reverting them to a child-like state. Often times this degradation of personality occurred gradually and the spirit experienced an intense, constant struggle against the gradual dissolution to maintain control of both their mind and body.
During the first stage of mental development they were prone to experiencing nightmares.
Abilities[]
Like regular golems, many dread golems were known to have innate abilities that mimicked certain spells, though van Richten never knew of any that could properly cast spells. Even golems who possessed the brain of a former wizard were incapable of channeling magical energy. Some sages theorized that this was due to the energy used to bind spirits to golems causing the parts of their bodies that involved the channeling of magic to "overcharge".
The process of creating a dread golem was known to produce a telepathic bond of unlimited range between the construct and its creator that was impossible to block by any means. This was often felt solely by the golem, though in some cases creators were known to have access to this mental link. Through this mental link golems were often capable of seeing and hearing everything their creators did, as well as knowing everything they thought, and because of this could track down their creators with ease. It even allowed them to speak with their creators telepathically. Creators who had access to this mental link likewise possessed these abilities in regards to their creation.
Creation[]
Unlike regular golems, one did not have to be a skilled practitioner of magic to bring a dread golem life. Their creation process was heavily reliant upon the creator being driven by obsession, dark desire, and by the Dark Powers noticing their efforts. Anyone who lacked this driving force of obsession could never succeed in creating a dread golem. This obsession could be rooted in a scientific pursuit, an artistic pursuit, or even a desire to restore a lost loved one to life. During the process of constructing a dread golem's body the creator's desires are imprinted upon the construct.
Spirit[]
According to van Richten, the life force that animated dread golems was a pre-existing spirit, either a dark spirit or the stolen soul of a living creature. The exact process for transferring the soul of a living creature was unknown to van Richten, though he knew for certain that the body needed to be positioned close to the waiting golem. In the case of a flesh golem, this animated force could be derived from quickly and delicately implanting a creature's brain into the empty vessel.
Transference[]
Regardless of the type of spirit used, a significant jolt of energy was required to bind them to the dread golem - this could be a physical form of energy like lightning, psychic energy, or magical energy. A steady flow of energy to the vessel would not suffice, it had to be a sudden jolt. In the case of a living creature's soul it was believed that both its body needed to be struck with the energy as well, either simultaneously or in quick succession.
It was possible for one to reverse-transfer the spirit of a dread golem back to their original body, though the process needed to be done as soon as possible. Especially if the original transference was done through a brain. However, even if a creature's spirit is successfully returned to its rightful body they will most likely suffer trauma from the experience. In some cases developing a split-personality.
Appendix[]
See Also[]
- Dread Constructs
External Links[]
- Dread golem article at Mistipedia, a wiki for the Ravenloft campaign setting run by The Fraternity of Shadows.
References[]
Sources[]
- John Mangrum, Andrew Wyatt, Andrew Cermak (October 15, 2001). Ravenloft Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Arthaus), pp. 191–192. ISBN 978-1588460752.
- Teeuwynn Woodruff (1994). Van Richten's Guide to the Created. Edited by Andria Hayday. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 4, 18–23, 33–34, 56–57, 62–73, 91–95. ISBN 1-56076-819-3.