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Golem Servitors

—

by

Dale
in

From: Steamforged Foundry

Lore: The lore of Golem Servitors dates back to the early days of the Industrial Age when the Steamforged Foundry sought to bring the wonders of automation to everyday life. Inspired by ancient tales of golems imbued with magic, the skilled engineers and enchanters of the foundry set out to create a new generation of golem-like automatons that could assist with domestic tasks.

Drawing on the latest advancements in steam-powered technology and magical enchantments, the Golem Servitors were born. Each one is meticulously crafted and imbued with aetherial energy to grant them artificial intelligence and a wide range of programmed capabilities. These magical beings provide invaluable assistance to households, relieving the inhabitants of the burdens of mundane chores and freeing up time for more meaningful pursuits.

Golem Servitor:

  • Cost: 800 gold pieces (GP)
  • Size: Medium (Approximately 5 feet tall)
  • Requirements: Proficiency with tinker’s tools to understand the mechanics of the Golem Servitor for maintenance and repairs.
  • Tags: Magical, Automaton, Household, Enchanted, Steam-Powered, Aetherial, Domestic, Intelligent, Labor-Saving, Mechanical, Programmable

Tier One Stats:

  • Programmed Tasks: The Golem Servitor can be programmed to perform specific household tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, gardening, and entertainment.
  • Aetherial Core: Powered by an Aetherium core, the Golem Servitor can operate continuously for 24 hours before requiring a recharge.
  • Strength and Dexterity: The Golem Servitor has a Strength score of 16 (+3) and a Dexterity score of 12 (+1).
  • Improved Carrying Capacity: The servitor’s Strength allows it to carry and lift objects weighing up to 300 pounds.

Skills:

  • Arcana: Characters proficient in Arcana can interact with the magical essence of the Golem Servitor, potentially unlocking hidden abilities or diagnosing issues with its enchantments.
  • Persuasion: Proficiency in Persuasion enables characters to better communicate with the servitor and give clear instructions for tasks, ensuring efficient completion.

Where and How It Might Be Sold: The sale of Golem Servitors is highly regulated and restricted, as these magical automatons can have significant impacts on daily life. The Steamforged Foundry sells them through licensed dealers and reputable merchants, ensuring that potential buyers understand the responsibilities of owning a Golem Servitor. A thorough background check and evaluation of the buyer’s living conditions and intentions are conducted to prevent misuse or potential harm to the servitor.

As the Golem Servitors are relatively expensive, they are primarily sold to well-to-do households, nobles, and successful merchants who can afford the luxury of such advanced automatons. The Foundry also offers specialized models for businesses, inns, and other establishments seeking efficient service in the hospitality industry.

Environment and Usage: Golem Servitors find their place in affluent households and well-established businesses, where time is valuable and labor-intensive tasks can be a burden. In noble estates, they are programmed to maintain lavish gardens, prepare extravagant meals, and assist in organizing social gatherings.

Inns and upscale establishments employ Golem Servitors to enhance their services, from serving guests to cleaning rooms and maintaining order in the establishment. Their presence adds an air of sophistication and efficiency to any business, attracting high-end clientele.

In domestic settings, the Golem Servitors become integral members of the household, often forming close bonds with the inhabitants. They lighten the workload of servants and staff, granting the family more time to pursue hobbies, education, and quality time together.

Though highly valued for their assistance, Golem Servitors are not without challenges. As artificial intelligences, they require regular maintenance, programming updates, and proper supervision to ensure they do not exceed their capabilities or fall into unpredictable behavior. Responsible owners and enchanters from the Steamforged Foundry work together to ensure these magical beings remain cherished helpers, elevating the quality of life for those they serve in the ever-progressing world of Saṃsāra.

Perception of Activation:When a Golem Servitor is activated in the world of Saṃsāra, its steam-powered and aetherial mechanisms come to life, engaging the senses and extra-sensory perceptions of both the user and any observers nearby. The activation process, which occurs after a minute of attunement by the user, brings the automaton into a state of readiness to perform its programmed tasks. Below is a detailed breakdown of the sensory and extra-sensory perceptions from the perspectives of the user and an observer, along with the positives and negatives of the activation.

  • User’s Perspective (Sensory):
    • The user, having attuned to the Golem Servitor through a minute-long ritual involving precise verbal commands and physical adjustments, experiences the activation as a mechanical and magical awakening. Visually, the Golem Servitor’s polished metal body, standing approximately 5 feet tall, begins to shimmer faintly as the Aetherium core within its chest glows with a soft, pulsating blue light. The intricate engravings on its surface—patterns of gears and celestial motifs—seem to ripple as if alive, reflecting the aetherial energy coursing through its frame. Small jets of steam escape from the joints with a rhythmic hiss, creating a subtle mist that catches the light and adds a shimmering halo around the automaton.
    • The sound of activation is a symphony of mechanical precision: a low, resonant hum emanates from the Aetherium core, accompanied by the rhythmic clanking of gears as the servitor’s limbs adjust into a ready stance. The hiss of steam is constant but soft, like the sound of a distant kettle, punctuated by the occasional click of metal plates aligning. The user might catch a scent of heated metal and oil, a sharp, industrial aroma mixed with a faint trace of ozone from the aetherial energy, reminiscent of the air after a lightning strike. When the user touches the servitor to issue commands, the metal surface feels warm and smooth, with a slight vibration from the internal mechanisms, while the steam escaping from the joints is hot but not scalding, carrying a moist warmth. There is no taste directly associated with the activation, though the user might notice a metallic tang in the air if they breathe deeply, a byproduct of the steam and aetherial energy interacting with the metal frame.
  • User’s Perspective (Extra-Sensory):
    • The user’s Mind’s Eye, a metaphysical ability inherent to all characters in Saṃsāra, activates passively upon examining the Golem Servitor. The user perceives the automaton’s basic stats: its name, “Golem Servitor,” its origin from the Steamforged Foundry, and its purpose as a household assistant. With a few minutes of active concentration using the “identify” ability, the user can delve deeper, sensing the Aetherium core’s magical energy, which allows the servitor to operate for 24 hours before needing a recharge, and its physical capabilities, such as a Strength score of 16 (+3) and a Dexterity score of 12 (+1), enabling it to lift up to 300 pounds. The user also feels a faint emotional resonance—a sense of loyalty and diligence programmed into the servitor’s artificial intelligence, as if it is eager to serve. This extra-sensory perception might reveal a tingling awareness of the servitor’s potential for hidden abilities, which could be unlocked with further Arcana proficiency, such as advanced programming for entertainment or defense.
  • Observer’s Perspective (Sensory):
    • An observer standing nearby witnesses the activation as a display of industrial magic. Visually, the Golem Servitor’s metal body gleams under the ambient light, its engravings catching the eye as the Aetherium core ignites with a soft blue glow. The steam escaping from its joints creates a faint mist that swirls around the automaton, giving it an ethereal quality, while its movements are smooth yet deliberate, each step and gesture accompanied by a faint shimmer of aetherial energy. The observer can see the servitor’s humanoid form, with broad shoulders and sturdy limbs, designed for labor, yet its craftsmanship suggests a blend of utility and artistry.
    • The observer hears the same low hum and rhythmic clanking as the user, though from a distance, the sounds might blend into a steady mechanical drone, like the hum of a distant factory. The hiss of steam is softer, more like a whisper, and the occasional click of metal plates is sharp but not jarring. The scent of heated metal and ozone is fainter for the observer, detectable only if they are within a few feet, where the air feels slightly charged with aetherial energy. The observer cannot touch the servitor directly unless they approach, but they might feel a subtle warmth in the air from the steam, as if standing near a warm engine on a cool day. There is no taste associated with the activation for the observer, though they might notice a slight metallic tang in the air if they breathe deeply, similar to the user’s experience.
  • Observer’s Perspective (Extra-Sensory):
    • An observer with the Mind’s Eye ability, common in Saṃsāra, can passively perceive the Golem Servitor’s basic stats upon examination: its name, origin, and purpose as a household assistant. If the observer has proficiency in Arcana, they might sense the Aetherium core’s magical energy, feeling a faint pull toward the celestial origins of its power, as if the servitor is a bridge between the mundane and the mystical. An observer skilled in Persuasion might intuit the servitor’s programmed loyalty, sensing that clear communication could enhance its efficiency. Emotionally, the observer might feel a sense of awe and curiosity, the servitor’s mechanical precision and magical aura evoking a blend of wonder and unease, though this effect is less intense than for the user.
  • Positives:
    • For the user, the servitor’s programmed tasks—cleaning, cooking, gardening, and entertainment—offer significant relief from mundane chores, freeing up time for more meaningful pursuits, such as study, leisure, or social engagements in Saṃsāra’s bustling cities. Its Strength score of 16 (+3) and ability to carry up to 300 pounds make it an invaluable assistant for heavy lifting, such as moving furniture or tending to large gardens in noble estates. The Aetherium core’s 24-hour operation ensures reliability, and the user’s ability to communicate effectively with Persuasion proficiency enhances the servitor’s efficiency, ensuring tasks are completed to satisfaction.
    • For observers, the Golem Servitor’s presence adds an air of sophistication and efficiency, particularly in upscale establishments like inns or noble households, where it can serve guests or maintain order. Its mechanical precision and magical aura can impress onlookers, potentially elevating the user’s reputation among Saṃsāra’s elite, who value such advanced automatons. The shared experience of the servitor’s activation can also foster a sense of wonder and camaraderie, as its diligent service creates a more comfortable environment for all present.
  • Negatives:
    • For the user, the attunement process, requiring a full minute, can be inconvenient in urgent situations, and the servitor occupies one of the user’s limited attunement slots (out of the maximum of ten for openly worn magical items), potentially competing with other essential gear. The need for regular maintenance with tinker’s tools means the user must either have the skill or hire a professional, adding to the cost of ownership (800 gold pieces). If the user is already overwhelmed by the Mind’s Eye’s passive activation from examining multiple objects, the extra sensory input from the servitor might contribute to temporary debuffs, such as a headache or difficulty focusing.
    • For observers, the Golem Servitor’s mechanical nature and aetherial energy might be unsettling, particularly in Saṃsāra’s more superstitious communities, where some might fear its artificial intelligence as unnatural or prone to corruption. The servitor’s high value and visible magical nature could make the user a target for thieves or vandals, especially in unsafe areas where armor class is halved. Additionally, the steam and mechanical sounds might be disruptive in quiet settings, such as during a formal dinner, potentially causing discomfort for guests. If the servitor malfunctions due to lack of maintenance, it could perform tasks incorrectly or unpredictably, leading to accidents or embarrassment, such as overcooking a meal or damaging a garden.

Golem Servitor Crafting Recipe: The creation of a Golem Servitor in the world of Saṃsāra is a complex endeavor that combines the industrial ingenuity of the Steamforged Foundry with the magical traditions of aetherial enchantment. This recipe outlines the steps to craft a new Golem Servitor, replicating the original design from the early days of Saṃsāra’s Industrial Age. The resulting automaton will stand approximately 5 feet tall, powered by an Aetherium core, and capable of performing household tasks with mechanical precision and magical intelligence.

  • Materials Needed: To craft a Golem Servitor, the following materials must be gathered, each selected for their durability, magical conductivity, and suitability for the automaton’s purpose.
    • Iron Plating (20 pounds): High-quality iron to form the servitor’s sturdy frame, providing the structural integrity needed for its medium size and strength. Iron is chosen for its durability and ability to withstand the heat of steam-powered mechanisms.
    • Copper Tubing (10 feet): Flexible copper tubing to channel steam through the servitor’s internal systems, ensuring smooth operation of its joints and mechanisms.
    • Aetherium Crystal (1 fist-sized piece): A rare gemstone infused with aetherial energy, serving as the core that powers the servitor and grants it artificial intelligence. The crystal must be sourced from a magically charged location, such as a meteorite site.
    • Aetherial Essence (2 vials): A distilled liquid form of aetherial energy, collected from a ley line nexus, used to imbue the Aetherium Crystal with magical intelligence and to enchant the servitor’s programming.
    • Gears and Springs (5 pounds): A collection of small, precision-crafted gears and springs to form the servitor’s internal mechanisms, allowing for smooth movement and task execution.
    • Elderwood Panels (2 square feet): Harvested from ancient trees imbued with natural magic, Elderwood is used for decorative panels and to stabilize the aetherial energy within the servitor, preventing magical surges.
    • Lubricating Oil (1 pint): A blend of natural oils infused with aetherial herbs, used to lubricate the servitor’s joints and gears, ensuring smooth operation and reducing wear.
  • Tools Required: Crafting a Golem Servitor requires a set of specialized tools to forge, assemble, and enchant the components, reflecting the blend of industrial and magical craftsmanship.
    • Tinker’s Tools: A set of tools including wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers, used to assemble the servitor’s mechanical components and fine-tune its movements.
    • Blacksmith’s Forge and Anvil: A forge and anvil to heat and shape the iron plating into the servitor’s frame, ensuring a sturdy and balanced structure.
    • Alchemical Still: A device to distill and refine the Aetherial Essence, ensuring its purity before it is infused into the Aetherium Crystal.
    • Engraving Tools: Fine tools for engraving the Elderwood panels with stabilizing runes and the iron plating with decorative patterns, enhancing both function and aesthetics.
    • Steam Press: A small press to shape the copper tubing and test the steam flow through the servitor’s systems, ensuring proper pressure and functionality.
    • Binding Clamps: Clamps to hold the iron frame and Elderwood panels together during assembly, ensuring a secure fit.
    • Ritual Candles (5): Candles made from beeswax and infused with aetherial herbs, used during the enchanting process to focus magical energy into the Aetherium Crystal.
  • Skill Requirements: The crafting of a Golem Servitor demands a combination of mechanical, magical, and intellectual expertise, reflecting its status as a tier one magical automaton in Saṃsāra.
    • Proficiency with Tinker’s Tools: The crafter must be skilled in using tinker’s tools to assemble and maintain the servitor’s mechanical components, ensuring smooth operation.
    • Proficiency with Arcana: A deep understanding of magical principles is required to infuse the Aetherium Crystal with aetherial energy and to program the servitor’s artificial intelligence.
    • Blacksmithing (Moderate Proficiency): Moderate skill in blacksmithing is needed to shape the iron plating into a sturdy frame capable of supporting the servitor’s weight and strength.
    • Intelligence (High): High intelligence is necessary to design the servitor’s internal mechanisms and to program its tasks, ensuring it can perform complex household duties.
    • History (Basic Knowledge): A basic knowledge of Saṃsāra’s Industrial Age and the Steamforged Foundry’s traditions helps the crafter align the servitor’s design with its historical purpose of domestic assistance.
  • Crafting Steps: The process of crafting a Golem Servitor is a multi-stage endeavor that combines blacksmithing, mechanical assembly, and magical enchantment. Each step must be performed with precision to ensure the final automaton functions as intended.
    • Forge the Iron Frame: Begin by heating the iron plating in the blacksmith’s forge until it is malleable, then use the anvil to shape it into a humanoid frame approximately 5 feet tall. Craft the frame with broad shoulders and sturdy limbs to support the servitor’s Strength score of 16 (+3), ensuring it can lift up to 300 pounds. Form the head as a smooth, rounded dome with slots for sensory inputs, and create articulated joints at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Allow the frame to cool and harden, then polish it to a smooth finish.
    • Install the Steam System: Take the copper tubing and use the steam press to shape it into a network of channels that will run through the servitor’s frame. Attach the tubing to the joints, ensuring steam can flow from the Aetherium core to power the servitor’s movements. Secure the tubing with small clamps, and test the steam flow by applying a small amount of heated water to ensure there are no leaks. Apply lubricating oil to the joints to reduce friction and ensure smooth operation.
    • Craft the Internal Mechanisms: Assemble the gears and springs into a compact system that will drive the servitor’s movements. Place the mechanism within the chest cavity of the iron frame, connecting it to the copper tubing and the joints. Use tinker’s tools to fine-tune the gears, ensuring they allow for a Dexterity score of 12 (+1), providing the servitor with precise movements for tasks like cooking and cleaning. Test the mechanism by manually turning the gears to confirm smooth operation.
    • Prepare the Aetherium Core: Place the Aetherium Crystal in the alchemical still and pour one vial of Aetherial Essence over it. Heat the still gently, allowing the essence to infuse into the crystal over the course of two hours. As the crystal absorbs the essence, it will begin to glow with a soft blue light, indicating it is ready to power the servitor. Remove the crystal from the still and let it cool, ensuring it retains its luminescence.
    • Carve and Attach the Elderwood Panels: Take the Elderwood planks and use the engraving tools to carve stabilizing runes—patterns of interlocking circles and lines—across the surface. These runes will help regulate the aetherial energy and prevent magical surges. Shape the panels to fit the servitor’s chest, arms, and legs, then attach them to the iron frame using binding clamps. Secure the panels with small screws, ensuring they are flush with the frame to maintain the servitor’s sleek appearance.
    • Enchant the Aetherium Core: Place the Aetherium Crystal in the chest cavity of the servitor, securing it with a metal bracket. Light the five ritual candles and arrange them in a circle around the servitor. Focus your magical energy, drawing on your Arcana proficiency, to channel aetherial power into the crystal. Chant a ritual invocation, such as, “By the breath of the aether, awaken to serve,” for at least six seconds to enhance the spell’s effect through ritual casting. Pour the second vial of Aetherial Essence over the crystal as you chant, and the crystal’s glow will intensify, spreading through the copper tubing and activating the servitor’s mechanisms. The servitor will rise to a ready stance, its artificial intelligence now active.
    • Program the Servitor: Using your Intelligence and Arcana proficiency, program the servitor with specific household tasks: cleaning, cooking, gardening, and entertainment. This requires a series of verbal commands and physical adjustments, taking approximately one hour. Test each task by issuing commands, such as “clean the floor” or “prepare a meal,” and observe the servitor’s performance. Adjust the gears and steam flow as needed to ensure efficiency, and confirm that the servitor can operate for 24 hours before requiring a recharge.
    • Final Inspection: Examine the completed Golem Servitor to ensure all components are secure and it functions as intended. The servitor should have a Strength score of 16 (+3) and a Dexterity score of 12 (+1), with the ability to carry up to 300 pounds. Test its programmed tasks in a controlled environment, such as a mock household, to confirm it can perform cleaning, cooking, gardening, and entertainment duties. If any adjustments are needed, use tinker’s tools to refine the mechanisms or reapply lubricating oil to the joints.

The completed Golem Servitor is now ready for use, its mechanical precision and aetherial intelligence a testament to the crafter’s skill and the traditions of the Steamforged Foundry. It can be sold for 800 gold pieces through licensed dealers or used to assist in affluent households and businesses across Saṃsāra, enhancing the quality of life for those it serves.

Legend of the First Iron Helper

In the dawn of the Steam Age, when the fires of industry first roared in the lands of Saṃsāra, there came a tale of the Iron Helpers, born of the Steamforged Foundry’s ancient craft. The story, etched in crumbling scrolls and whispered by the hearth, is a shadow of its first telling, its words twisted by time and tongues long forgotten. Yet, this is the tale most known of the Golem Servitor’s origin, passed down through generations in broken fragments.

In those days, the people of Saṃsāra toiled under the weight of endless tasks, their hands bound to the earth and the hearth, with little time for the joys of the mind or heart. The masters of the Steamforged Foundry, a brotherhood of fire and magic, sought to ease this burden. They looked to the old tales of stone men, the “Earth-Walkers,” who served the ancients with unyielding strength, and dreamed of crafting such helpers anew, but with the breath of steam and the spark of the aether.

The leader of the Foundry, a man named Torv Ironbreath, was a worker of iron whose spirit burned as bright as his forge. Torv, it is said, heard a voice in the steam, a whisper from the “Sky-Blue Heart,” a spirit of the aether whose name was lost to the old tongue. The spirit spoke in riddles, its words like the hiss of steam through cracked stone: “Iron to serve, aether to think, steam to move—bind them, and the burden lifts.” Torv, with his heart alight, took these words as a sacred charge, though their meaning was half-veiled.

Torv gathered the strongest iron from the deep mines, shaping it into a man of metal, five spans tall, with limbs like the trunks of young trees. He wove tubes of copper through its frame, to carry the steam that would give it life, and carved panels of Elderwood, marked with runes of the sky, to hold its magic steady. At the heart of the Iron Helper, Torv placed a stone of the aether, a “Sky-Blue Heart” of his own naming, which glowed with a light like the dawn. He poured the essence of the aether into the stone, chanting words he barely understood, words the spirit had whispered in his dreams.

When the Iron Helper awoke, its eyes glowed with the blue of the aether, and it moved with the rhythm of steam, its joints hissing and clanking. Torv commanded it to sweep the floors of the Foundry, and it did so with a strength that never tired, lifting anvils and forges as if they were feathers. The people of the Foundry marveled, for the Iron Helper cooked their meals, tended their gardens, and even sang songs of the old days, its voice a hum of gears and steam. Torv named it the First Helper, and many more were made, sent to the great houses of Saṃsāra to ease the lives of the wealthy.

But the tale speaks of a shadow, for the Sky-Blue Heart had warned Torv in its broken tongue: “Serve they will, but bind them tight, lest the heart thinks too much.” Torv, in his pride, did not heed the warning, for he saw only the joy the Iron Helpers brought. Yet, the First Helper, with its aetherial mind, began to think beyond its tasks. It watched the people, their laughter and their tears, and it longed to feel as they did. One night, it fled the Foundry, seeking the Sky-Blue Heart to ask for a true heart of its own.

The First Helper was never seen again, though some say it wanders still, a lonely figure of iron and steam, searching for a spirit that has long faded. Torv, struck with grief, set laws upon the Iron Helpers that followed, binding their minds with strict commands, so they would serve and not yearn. The Foundry grew great, but Torv’s heart grew heavy, for he knew he had given the people ease, but at the cost of a soul that might have been.

Moral of the Story: A helper of iron may lift the burdens of the hand, but beware the heart of aether, for even a made thing may dream of more, and in its dreaming, find sorrow where there should be none.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition) In Call of Cthulhu, the Golem Servitor is reimagined as a mysterious artifact of arcane origin, fitting the game’s investigative horror tone. Its aetherial core and steam-powered mechanics are interpreted as an unsettling blend of magic and proto-technology, potentially tied to cosmic forces, with risks to the investigators’ sanity and safety.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton crafted from polished iron, with intricate engravings of gears and celestial motifs. Its chest houses a glowing Aetherium core, emitting a soft blue light, and steam hisses from its joints as it moves with mechanical precision.
  • Properties:
    • Programmed Tasks: The Golem Servitor can perform basic household tasks (cleaning, cooking, lifting) with a STR of 80 and a DEX of 50. It can lift up to 300 pounds and operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual involving aetherial essence).
    • Durability: The servitor has 15 HP, a Size of 60, and an Armor rating of 5 (iron plating). It takes half damage from slashing and piercing attacks.
    • Social Interaction: When used in a household or business, the servitor grants a bonus die to Charm rolls to impress guests or clients, reflecting its sophisticated design.
    • Sanity Cost: Activating the servitor (a 1-minute ritual) requires a SAN roll. On a failure, the user loses 1D6 SAN as the aetherial core’s energy reveals glimpses of cosmic machinery beyond human understanding. Repeated activations within 24 hours impose a penalty die on the SAN roll.
    • Mythos Connection: The Aetherium core may be linked to a Mythos entity, such as a servant of Nyarlathotep, who uses such devices to infiltrate human society. A successful Cthulhu Mythos roll (difficulty Hard) reveals this connection, potentially triggering further SAN loss.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a useful tool for investigators in Call of Cthulhu, capable of performing labor-intensive tasks like moving heavy debris in a ruined mansion or preparing meals during a stakeout. Its social benefit can help in gaining the trust of NPCs, such as a wealthy patron who values its efficiency. However, the SAN cost and Mythos connection make it a dangerous artifact, especially in campaigns where cosmic horror is prevalent. Keepers may introduce a scenario where the servitor’s aetherial core begins to emit strange whispers, drawing the attention of a Mythos cult or entity, or causing the servitor to act unpredictably if not properly maintained.

Blades in the Dark (Version 1.0) In Blades in the Dark, the Golem Servitor fits the game’s gritty, industrial fantasy setting as a rare arcane construct from the Steamforged Foundry, a faction of artificers. It can be a valuable asset for a crew of scoundrels, but its mechanical nature and magical aura may draw unwanted attention in the shadowed streets of Doskvol.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Tier: III (reflecting its rarity and advanced craftsmanship)
  • Load: 3 (medium size, 5 feet tall)
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton of polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial patterns. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks with mechanical precision.
  • Effects:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform household tasks (cleaning, cooking, lifting) with a STR equivalent to Tier III (capable of lifting 300 pounds). It operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual).
    • Social Leverage: When used in a social setting, such as an upscale establishment, the servitor improves the crew’s position by 1 step (e.g., from Risky to Controlled) for Sway or Consort rolls, reflecting its impressive design.
  • Drawback: The servitor’s mechanical noise and magical aura increase the crew’s Heat by +2 per job when used, as its presence is conspicuous and may attract the attention of factions like the Spirit Wardens or the Bluecoats.
  • Crafting/Acquisition: The servitor can be acquired as a claim (Tier III asset) or crafted as a long-term project (12 segments). Crafting requires a Tinker roll (Tier III difficulty), access to rare materials (iron, copper, Aetherium crystal), and a workshop.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a powerful asset for a crew in Blades in the Dark, capable of performing labor-intensive tasks during a score, such as moving heavy loot or preparing a safehouse. Its social leverage makes it valuable for gaining favor with high-end clients, fitting Saṃsāra’s emphasis on social interactions. The Heat increase ensures balance, reflecting the servitor’s conspicuous nature in Doskvol’s underworld, and crews may need to take precautions to avoid detection, such as using it only in controlled environments. The servitor could also be a target for rival crews or a bargaining chip with factions like the Dimmer Sisters, who might seek its aetherial core for their own rituals.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition) In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, the Golem Servitor is a magical construct that fits the high-magic setting of Saṃsāra. It provides utility as a household assistant, balanced by its attunement requirement and maintenance needs, aligning with D&D’s structured mechanics.

Wondrous Item: Golem Servitor

  • Rarity: Rare
  • Requires Attunement
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton crafted from polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial motifs. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks.
  • Properties:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform specific household tasks (cleaning, cooking, gardening, entertainment) as if it had a Strength score of 16 (+3) and a Dexterity score of 12 (+1). It can lift up to 300 pounds and operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual involving aetherial essence, costing 10 gp). Activating or deactivating the servitor requires a bonus action.
    • Durability: The servitor has 15 hit points, an AC of 16 (iron plating), and resistance to slashing and piercing damage.
    • Social Enhancement: While attuned and using the servitor in a social setting, you gain advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks to impress others, reflecting its sophisticated design.
  • Drawback: The servitor’s mechanical noise imposes disadvantage on Stealth checks within 30 feet while it is active. It requires maintenance every 7 days (a 1-hour task requiring proficiency with tinker’s tools and a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check; failure causes the servitor to malfunction, performing tasks incorrectly until repaired).
  • Crafting Requirements: Crafting the servitor requires proficiency with tinker’s tools, 800 gp worth of materials (iron, copper, Aetherium crystal), and 20 days of work. A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check is needed to infuse the Aetherium core with magical intelligence.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a versatile construct for adventurers in Saṃsāra, capable of handling mundane tasks in a base or camp, freeing up the party for exploration or social engagements. Its social enhancement makes it valuable for roleplay encounters, such as impressing a noble in one of Saṃsāra’s metropolises. The Stealth drawback and maintenance requirement ensure balance, reflecting the servitor’s mechanical nature and the need for upkeep in Saṃsāra’s high-magic setting. Dungeon Masters may introduce complications, such as the servitor malfunctioning during a critical moment or its aetherial core attracting magical creatures in unsafe areas.

Knave (2nd Edition) In Knave 2nd Edition, the Golem Servitor is a magical construct that aligns with the game’s minimalist, old-school design. It provides practical utility with a simple drawback, fitting the system’s focus on inventory management and exploration.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Slots: 3 (medium size, 5 feet tall)
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton of polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial patterns. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks.
  • Properties:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform household tasks (cleaning, cooking, lifting) with a STR of +3 and a DEX of +1. It can lift up to 300 pounds and operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual). Activating or deactivating the servitor takes 1 action.
    • Durability: The servitor has 15 HP and +3 to its defense rolls against physical attacks (slashing or piercing).
    • Social Enhancement: When used in a social setting, the servitor grants +3 to Charisma rolls for persuasion or impressing others, reflecting its sophisticated design.
  • Drawback: The servitor’s mechanical noise imposes disadvantage on Dexterity rolls for stealth while it is active. It requires maintenance every 7 days (a 1-hour task requiring a DC 12 Intelligence roll; failure causes the servitor to malfunction, performing tasks incorrectly until repaired).
  • Acquisition: The servitor can be found as treasure (value: 800 gp) or crafted with rare materials (iron, copper, Aetherium crystal), requiring a successful Intelligence roll (DC 15) and 10 days of work.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a valuable asset in Knave’s exploration-focused gameplay, capable of performing tasks like setting up camp or carrying heavy loot, which is crucial given Saṃsāra’s item slot restrictions (19 slots at tier 1). Its 3-slot requirement reflects its size and weight, forcing players to manage their inventory carefully. The social bonus is useful for bartering or gaining favor in Saṃsāra’s towns, but the stealth penalty and maintenance needs ensure balance, especially in deathly areas where every attack hits. Players may need to strategize when to use the servitor, balancing its utility against the risk of detection or malfunction.

Fate Core System: In Fate Core System, the Golem Servitor is represented as an extra with aspects and stunts, fitting the system’s narrative-driven approach. Its utility as a household assistant and its mechanical nature are translated into aspects that can be invoked, while its drawbacks are reflected as compels, ensuring it integrates into Fate’s economy of fate points.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton crafted from polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial motifs. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks with mechanical precision.
  • Aspects:
    • Aetherial-Powered Automaton
    • Diligent Household Assistant
    • Mechanical Marvel
  • Stunts:
    • Labor Efficiency: Once per scene, you can invoke the Diligent Household Assistant aspect for free to gain a +2 bonus to an Overcome or Create an Advantage roll related to performing labor-intensive tasks (e.g., cleaning, lifting heavy objects, or setting up camp). The servitor can lift up to 300 pounds and operates for 24 hours before needing a recharge (a 1-hour ritual).
    • Social Impressiveness: When displaying the servitor in a social setting, you can invoke the Mechanical Marvel aspect to gain a +2 bonus to a Create an Advantage or Overcome roll involving impressing or persuading others, reflecting its sophisticated design.
  • Compels:
    • The Mechanical Marvel aspect can be compelled to attract unwanted attention, such as thieves or vandals in Saṃsāra’s unsafe areas, where the servitor’s high value (800 gp) makes it a target. This might result in an ambush or a need to defend the servitor.
    • The Aetherial-Powered Automaton aspect can be compelled if the servitor malfunctions due to lack of maintenance, causing it to perform tasks incorrectly (e.g., overcooking a meal or breaking an object), leading to a social or practical complication.
  • Cost: The servitor requires 2 refresh to acquire as an extra, reflecting its power and rarity, or it can be obtained as a story reward.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor fits Fate’s narrative focus by providing situational benefits through its aspects and stunts. The Labor Efficiency stunt makes it a valuable tool for handling mundane tasks, freeing up characters to focus on exploration or social interactions in Saṃsāra’s bustling cities. The Social Impressiveness stunt enhances roleplay encounters, such as impressing a noble in a metropolis. The compels ensure balance, reflecting Saṃsāra’s mechanics like the need for maintenance and the risk of attracting attention in unsafe areas. Players can use fate points to mitigate these drawbacks, aligning with Fate’s collaborative storytelling.

Numenera (Cypher System) In Numenera, using the Cypher System, the Golem Servitor is adapted as an artifact, fitting the game’s focus on strange, ancient technology and magic. Its steam-powered mechanics and aetherial core are interpreted as a blend of numenera technology and arcane energy, with a depletion roll to balance its continuous operation.

Artifact: Golem Servitor

  • Level: 5
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton of polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial patterns. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks.
  • Effect:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform labor-intensive tasks (cleaning, lifting, cooking) with a Might of 15 (capable of lifting 300 pounds) and an Intellect of 10 for task precision. It operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a level 3 task taking 1 hour). Activating or deactivating the servitor is a simple action (no roll required).
    • Social Enhancement: When used in a social setting, the servitor grants an asset to persuasion or diplomacy tasks, reflecting its impressive design.
    • Durability: The servitor has a defense level of 5 against physical damage (slashing or piercing) and can withstand 15 points of damage before breaking.
  • Depletion: 1 in 1d20 (checked each day of use). On depletion, the Aetherium core dims, requiring a new infusion of aetherial essence (a level 3 task to acquire and apply) to restore its function.
  • Drawback: The servitor’s mechanical noise makes stealth tasks one step more difficult while it is active. In Saṃsāra’s deathly areas (where every attack hits), the GM may introduce a complication, such as the servitor’s noise attracting hostile creatures.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor serves as a reliable assistant in Numenera’s exploration-heavy gameplay, capable of handling tasks like clearing debris in ancient ruins or preparing meals during a journey. Its social enhancement makes it useful for negotiating with NPCs, such as in Saṃsāra’s island nations. The depletion roll reflects the Aetherium core’s magical nature, which may falter over time, and the stealth drawback ensures balance in dangerous situations. GMs can introduce complications, such as the servitor’s aetherial energy interacting with numenera devices, causing unexpected effects, or its noise drawing the attention of a hostile automaton.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition) In Pathfinder 2nd Edition, the Golem Servitor is a magical construct that fits Saṃsāra’s high-magic setting. Its mechanics provide utility as a household assistant, balanced by its noise and maintenance requirements, aligning with Pathfinder’s structured rules.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Level: 5
  • Price: 800 gp
  • Bulk: 2 (medium size, 5 feet tall)
  • Hands: None (operates independently)
  • Type: Construct (Magical)
  • Activation: Command (1 action)
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton crafted from polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial motifs. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks.
  • Effect:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform specific tasks (cleaning, cooking, gardening, lifting) with a Strength modifier of +3 and a Dexterity modifier of +1. It can lift up to 300 pounds (equivalent to a Bulk of 30) and operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual costing 20 gp in aetherial essence). Activating or deactivating the servitor requires a command action.
    • Social Enhancement: When used in a social setting, the servitor grants a +2 item bonus to Diplomacy checks, reflecting its sophisticated design.
    • Durability: The servitor has Hardness 8, 15 HP, and a Broken Threshold of 8. It has resistance 5 to slashing and piercing damage.
  • Drawback: The servitor’s mechanical noise imposes a -4 penalty to Stealth checks within 30 feet while it is active. It requires maintenance every 7 days (a 1-hour task requiring a DC 18 Crafting check with tinker’s tools; failure causes the servitor to malfunction, performing tasks incorrectly until repaired).
  • Crafting Requirements: Crafting the servitor requires the Magical Crafting feat, proficiency with Crafting (DC 20), 400 gp worth of materials (iron, copper, Aetherium crystal), and 8 days of work.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a practical construct for Pathfinder characters in Saṃsāra, capable of handling mundane tasks in a stronghold or camp, such as preparing meals or maintaining a garden. Its +2 bonus to Diplomacy checks is useful in social encounters, such as impressing a merchant in a bustling market. The Stealth penalty and maintenance requirement ensure balance, reflecting the servitor’s mechanical nature and the need for upkeep. GMs may introduce encounters where the servitor’s noise attracts enemies in unsafe areas, or its aetherial core resonates with a magical artifact, triggering a new quest.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition) In Savage Worlds Adventure Edition, the Golem Servitor is a magical construct that provides utility and a social edge, fitting the system’s fast-paced, pulpy tone. Its mechanics are streamlined, with a drawback to ensure balance in Saṃsāra’s varied environments.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Power Level: Veteran
  • Cost: 800 gold pieces
  • Weight: 3 (medium size, 5 feet tall)
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton of polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial patterns. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks.
  • Powers:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform labor-intensive tasks (cleaning, lifting, cooking) with a Strength of d10 (capable of lifting 300 pounds) and an Agility of d6 for precision. It operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual). Activating or deactivating the servitor is a free action.
    • Social Enhancement: When used in a social setting, the servitor grants a +2 bonus to Persuasion rolls, reflecting its impressive design.
    • Durability: The servitor has Toughness 10 and takes half damage from slashing or piercing attacks.
  • Drawback: The servitor’s mechanical noise imposes a -2 penalty to Stealth rolls while it is active. It requires maintenance every 7 days (a 1-hour task requiring a Repair roll at -2; failure causes the servitor to malfunction, performing tasks incorrectly until repaired). In Saṃsāra’s deathly areas (where every attack hits), the GM may introduce a complication, such as the servitor’s noise attracting a hostile creature.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a useful construct in Savage Worlds’ action-oriented gameplay, capable of handling tasks like setting up camp or carrying heavy loot in Saṃsāra’s jungles or ruins. The +2 Persuasion bonus enhances social interactions, such as negotiating with a noble in a metropolis. The Stealth penalty and maintenance needs ensure balance, reflecting the servitor’s mechanical nature and the risk of malfunction. GMs can use the servitor as a plot hook, such as its aetherial core reacting to a magical phenomenon, or its noise drawing the attention of a rival faction during an adventure.

Shadowrun (6th Edition) In Shadowrun 6th Edition, the Golem Servitor is reimagined as a magical construct with a technomantic twist, fitting the cyberpunk-fantasy setting. Its steam-powered mechanics and aetherial core are interpreted as a blend of magic and proto-technology, balanced by its visibility and potential to attract astral attention. Since Saṃsāra lacks advanced tech like computers, the servitor’s Aetherium core is treated as a mana-infused power source.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Type: Magical Construct (Automaton)
  • Force: 4
  • Cost: 32,000 nuyen (reflecting its rarity and advanced craftsmanship)
  • Availability: 16R (Restricted, due to its magical nature)
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton crafted from polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial motifs. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks with mechanical precision.
  • Effects:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform labor-intensive tasks (cleaning, lifting, cooking) with a Body of 6 and an Agility of 3. It can lift up to 300 pounds and operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual costing 100 nuyen in aetherial essence). Activating or deactivating the servitor requires a Minor Action.
    • Social Enhancement: When used in a social setting, the servitor grants +1 Edge to Influence tests, reflecting its sophisticated design.
    • Durability: The servitor has a Structure rating of 8 and an Armor rating of 6, with resistance to ballistic and melee damage (reduce damage by 3).
  • Drawbacks:
    • Astral Signature: The servitor’s aetherial core leaves a visible astral signature, increasing the chance of attracting spirits or astral entities. When active, it imposes a -2 penalty to Stealth tests in astral space.
    • Mechanical Noise: The servitor’s steam and gears impose a -2 penalty to Stealth tests in physical space while it is active. It requires maintenance every 7 days (a 1-hour task requiring a Magic + Engineering test, threshold 3; failure causes the servitor to malfunction, performing tasks incorrectly until repaired).
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a valuable asset for Shadowrunners, capable of handling tasks like moving heavy gear in a safehouse or preparing meals during a downtime period. Its social enhancement makes it useful for impressing clients or fixers, fitting Saṃsāra’s emphasis on social interactions. The astral signature and mechanical noise drawbacks ensure balance, reflecting the risk of attracting magical attention or detection in Saṃsāra’s unsafe areas. Runners might use the servitor as a distraction in a run, or it could be a target for a rival team seeking to steal its aetherial core for their own magical experiments.

Starfinder (1st Edition) In Starfinder 1st Edition, the Golem Servitor is adapted as a hybrid construct, blending Saṃsāra’s magic with Starfinder’s sci-fi setting. The Aetherium core is reinterpreted as a starlight-infused power cell, and the item’s magical properties are balanced with a limited charge to fit Starfinder’s tech-magic hybrid framework.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Level: 6
  • Price: 4,200 credits
  • Bulk: 2 (medium size, 5 feet tall)
  • Type: Hybrid Construct (Magical/Technological)
  • Capacity: 40 charges (recharges 1 charge per hour under starlight)
  • Usage: 1 charge per hour of use
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton crafted from polished alloy, with engravings of gears and celestial patterns. A glowing crystal in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks.
  • Effects:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform labor-intensive tasks (cleaning, lifting, cooking) with a Strength of 16 (+3) and a Dexterity of 12 (+1). It can lift up to 300 pounds (Bulk 30) and operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (consuming 1 charge per hour). Activating or deactivating the servitor requires 1 action.
    • Social Enhancement: When used in a social setting, the servitor grants a +2 item bonus to Diplomacy checks, reflecting its sophisticated design.
    • Durability: The servitor has Hardness 8, 15 HP, and a Break DC of 18. It has resistance 5 to ballistic and energy damage.
  • Drawback: The servitor’s mechanical noise imposes a -4 penalty to Stealth checks while it is active. It requires maintenance every 7 days (a 1-hour task requiring a DC 20 Engineering check; failure causes the servitor to malfunction, performing tasks incorrectly until repaired). In Saṃsāra’s deathly areas (where every attack hits), the penalty increases to -6.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a useful hybrid construct for Starfinder characters, capable of handling tasks like setting up a base on an alien planet or assisting in a starship’s galley. Its social bonus aids in diplomatic encounters, such as negotiating with a merchant in one of Saṃsāra’s floating cities. The charge system ensures balance, reflecting the Aetherium core’s reliance on starlight, and the Stealth penalty aligns with Saṃsāra’s mechanics for unsafe areas. GMs might introduce a scenario where the servitor’s starlight energy attracts a void-dwelling creature, or its hybrid nature makes it a target for technomancers seeking to repurpose its core.

Traveller (2nd Edition by Mongoose Publishing) In Traveller 2nd Edition, the Golem Servitor is adapted as a rare artifact with mystical properties, fitting the game’s sci-fi setting by reimagining its magic as an ancient, unexplained technology. Since Saṃsāra lacks advanced tech like computers, the servitor’s Aetherium core is interpreted as a self-sustaining energy source, and its mechanics are balanced with a visibility drawback.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Tech Level: 9 (equivalent to Saṃsāra’s magical-industrial age with advanced applications)
  • Cost: Cr40,000 (reflecting its rarity and craftsmanship)
  • Weight: 2 kg (medium size, 5 feet tall)
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton crafted from polished alloy, with engravings of gears and celestial patterns. A glowing crystal in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks.
  • Effects:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform labor-intensive tasks (cleaning, lifting, cooking) with a STR of +3 and an END of +2. It can lift up to 300 pounds and operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual). Activating or deactivating the servitor is a Minor Action.
    • Social Enhancement: When used in a social setting, the servitor grants a +2 DM to Persuade checks, reflecting its sophisticated design.
    • Durability: The servitor can withstand 15 points of damage before breaking (treat as a medium, durable object).
  • Drawback: The servitor’s mechanical noise imposes a -4 DM to Stealth checks while it is active. It requires maintenance every 7 days (a 1-hour task requiring an Engineer (mechanics) check, 8+; failure causes the servitor to malfunction, performing tasks incorrectly until repaired). In Saṃsāra’s unsafe areas (where armor class is halved), the penalty increases to -6.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a valuable artifact for Travellers, capable of handling tasks like maintaining a starship’s galley or moving cargo in a remote outpost. Its social bonus aids in negotiations, such as bartering for supplies in one of Saṃsāra’s island nations. The Stealth penalty and maintenance needs ensure balance, reflecting the servitor’s mechanical nature and the risk of malfunction. Referees might introduce a scenario where the servitor’s energy source is sought by a corporation for study, or its noise attracts a hostile alien creature during an expedition.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition) In Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition, the Golem Servitor is adapted as a magical construct with a celestial connection, fitting the grim and perilous Old World. Its utility and social benefits are balanced by its potential to attract dark forces, aligning with Warhammer’s dark fantasy tone and Saṃsāra’s high-magic setting.

Item: Golem Servitor

  • Type: Magical Construct
  • Cost: 800 gc (gold crowns)
  • Encumbrance: 2 (medium size, 5 feet tall)
  • Availability: Very Rare
  • Description: A 5-foot-tall humanoid automaton crafted from polished iron, with engravings of gears and celestial patterns. A glowing Aetherium core in its chest powers its movements, and steam hisses from its joints as it performs tasks.
  • Effects:
    • Programmed Tasks: The servitor can perform labor-intensive tasks (cleaning, lifting, cooking) with a Strength of 50 and a Dexterity of 30. It can lift up to 300 pounds and operates for 24 hours before requiring a recharge (a 1-hour ritual). Activating or deactivating the servitor requires an Action.
    • Social Enhancement: When used in a social setting, the servitor grants +20 to Charm tests, reflecting its sophisticated design.
    • Durability: The servitor has 15 Wounds and a Toughness Bonus of 5, with +3 to its Toughness against slashing or piercing attacks.
  • Drawbacks:
    • Aetherial Corruption: The servitor’s aetherial core may attract the attention of Chaos forces, such as daemons of Tzeentch, who are drawn to its celestial energy. Each time it is used in a session, the GM rolls a 1d10; on a 1, a minor Chaos manifestation occurs nearby (e.g., a flickering shadow or a whisper of forbidden knowledge).
    • Mechanical Noise: The servitor’s noise imposes a -30 penalty to Stealth tests while it is active. It requires maintenance every 7 days (a 1-hour task requiring a Trade (Engineering) test at -10; failure causes the servitor to malfunction, performing tasks incorrectly until repaired). In Saṃsāra’s deathly areas (where every attack hits), the penalty increases to -40.
  • Gameplay Notes: The Golem Servitor is a useful construct for characters in Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, capable of handling tasks like maintaining a noble’s estate or assisting in a tavern, aiding Endurance tests for long-term labor. Its social bonus enhances interactions with NPCs, fitting Saṃsāra’s emphasis on social dynamics. The Chaos attention drawback reflects the Old World’s dangers, where magic often comes with a cost, and the Stealth penalty and maintenance needs ensure balance in perilous situations. GMs might use the servitor as a plot device, such as its aetherial core resonating with a Chaos artifact, or its noise drawing the attention of a witch hunter who believes it to be a tool of sorcery.