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View Full Version : Sun Tyrant [MITPII], Sun Worshiper(PEACH)



Poppatomus
2007-06-06, 12:21 PM
already submitted this to the contest, decided I like it enough to submit it for MIPTII as well, especially in hope of getting a bit of feedback on the monster to tweak it for eventual use. (I have a campaign coming up in which this creature would fit quite nicely I think). Thanks in advance to any and all that give advice of any kind or vote either way.

Nimbus Golem (Plains Golem, Sun Tyrant)
"Try not to look directly at it. Yes, even if you have one of those bits of parchment with a pinhole in it." - Narisha the Comely

Size/Type:Large Construct
Hit Dice:14d10+30 (107 hp)
Initiative:0
Speed:20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class:25 (-1 size, +16 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 25
Base Attack/Grapple:+10/+22
Attack: Slam +18 melee (2d10+9)
Full Attack: 2 slams +18 melee (2d10+9)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: Construct traits, damage reduction 5/adamantine, immunity to magic, Light of Judgment, Cleansing Aura, Solar Guardian, Solar Dependence
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +5
Abilities: Str 29, Dex 10, Con Ø, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 11
Skills: —
Feats: —
Environment: Any; Usually Outdoors
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 14
Treasure: 1d6x100 gp in gemstones and religious relics
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 14-21 HD (Large); 22-42 (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —

Description

Where a moment ago had stood an oversized, but otherwise unremarkable, friar there is now a figure of dazzling light. Closer inspection, though painful to the eye, reveals that this is no living creature, but a clockwork being, constructed of obsidian and precious stone. The golem raises a hand and points towards the party, “ARE YOU BELIEVERS?” it calls out, but before you can answer a beam of light streaks towards you from the figure’s outstretched palm.

The nimbus golem is similar in size and appearance to a stone golem, though always constructed from black stone and “cloaked”. Also called a plains golem or a sun tyrant, this construct is more a clockwork creature than a true golem. The nimbus golem depends on the sun, not inherent magic, to power most of its abilities, and if out of the light for long enough it will cease to function. Though not animated by arcane force, it is clear that powerful and forgotten magic has gone into its construction; especially in fabricating the unknown material used in its “cloak,” actually a part of the golem, which serves as a collector of solar energy.

Special Abilities

Solar dependence In order to use any of its non-passive special abilities, the nimbus golem must spend at least 4 consecutive hours out of every day recharging in natural sunlight or in an area under the effect of a daylight spell. During this time the golem may still move and use its normal attacks, but it may not use cleansing aura or solar guardian.

Though even ambient light is capable of powering the golem’s passive abilities and movement, some light is required for functioning. If the nimbus golem spends more then one week in total darkness it stops all functioning, and can not take any action until it spends one full day in sunlight for every month (round up) spent in darkness.

Any spell or effect that does additional damage to light sensitive creatures heals, rather than damages, the nimbus golem. Every 10 points of damage taken from such an ability counts as an hour spent recharging. Every 10 points also count as a month spent in sunlight for the purposes of resuming functioning after being in darkness.

Light of Judgment(Sp) As a standard action the Nimbus golem can cast searing light (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/searingLight.htm) as though a 6th level cleric. This ability can be used no more than once every three rounds. The Nimbus Golem can not cast this ability on itself in order to recharge. If the construct has not had a chance to recharge, it may still use this ability as long as it is in an area of natural or magical daylight. If it has not recharged, however, this ability becomes a full round action and can only be used once every five rounds.

Immunity to Magic(Ex) A Nimbus golem is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below.

A stone to flesh spell does not actually change the golem’s structure but negates its damage reduction and immunity to magic for 1 full round. This also requires the Golem to recharge before it can use any of its special abilities, as though it had not charged that day.

This immunity does not apply to Effects that deal extra damage to light sensitive creatures (See Solar Dependence Above) nor does it apply completely to sonic effects. Any spell that would normally do sonic damage is capable of disrupting some of the complex internal mechanisms of the nimbus golem, causing it to behave as though shaken for 1d3 rounds.

Cleansing Aura(Ex) As a free action, the Golem is wreathed in bright light, causing any creature that can see the golem, and is within 60 ft, to become dazzled. The intensity of this effect increases exponentially with proximity and any creature entering within 10 feet of the golem must make a DC 14 FORT save or be blinded for as long as they are within 10ft plus an additional 1d4 rounds after leaving the area.

Solar Guardian(Su) As a full round action the nimbus golem fires a charged gemstone from a specialized compartment in its head or shoulders. The brightly shining crystal follows a steep trajectory taking four rounds to reach its target, which may be any 5 ft square within a 60 ft radius of the golem. Using this ability so drains the golem’s power stores that it is immediately treated as though a day had passed without recharging. The effects on each round are as follows.

{table]Round|Effect
1| All creatures within 40 ft of the golem must make a reflex save against DC 20 or be temporarily blinded for the next 4 rounds.
2-3| The area within 100 ft are affected as though within a daylight (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/daylight.htm) spell. If already in unobstructed daylight all creatures within 100 ft are considered dazzled for 1d10 rounds. On turn 2 this effect is centered on the golem's square, on turn three it is centered on the impact square.
4| As sunburst (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/sunburst.htm)cast by a 10th level cleric, centered on the point of impact. Any creature that was blinded on the first round gains a +4 circumstance bonus to the save against being permanently blinded by this effect.
[/table]


Combat

The nimbus golem always begins combat by casting light of judgment as a means of “investigating” the encountered group. Any creature damaged by this effect is considered a heathen, and will be attacked until it dies or flees from the golem. The golem will always activate cleansing aura as soon as it enters combat and maintains the effect throughout. When in combat the golem primarily uses slam attacks and will use ray of judgment whenever it is available. Solar guardian is a last resort, and the golem does will not use it until it is below half HP.

Unlike most constructs, the nimbus golem has been given some semblance of personality, at least that of a religious zealot. Throughout the fight it will chastise its opponents for attacking a champion of justice, and will occasional admonish them to accept the true faith.

Any creature that does not take damage from ray of judgment, and that also does not attack the nimbus golem, aid a “heathen,” or wear an obvious religious symbol, will be ignored.

Background

Though no one knows who or what first created nimbus golems it seems clear that they were developed by some long—lost religious order that worshipped the su (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49029)n. This is reflected not only in the religious runes that mark its surface, its abilities, and its cleric like appearance but also by the fact that If engaged in theological debate the golem will actually be able to hold its own, as though it had a knowledge (religion) score of 15. It will continue to discuss religion, forceful advocating for its faith, even as it kills everything around it.

This leads some to theorize that the constructs may have been created not just as defenders, but as automated missionaries or crusaders. This position is further supported by the nimbus golem’s tendency, unlike most golems, to be encountered wandering open areas in search of souls to judge.





Construction
A Nimbus Golem's body is chiseled from a single block of black stone such as slate or obisdian, weighing at least 3,000 pounds. The stone must be of exceptional quality, and costs 10,000 gp. Assembling the body requires a DC 21 Craft (sculpting) or Craft (stone-masonry) check. In addition a large array of components must be added to the inside of the golem. These components cost another 2,000 gp and must be added with a meld into stone spell, or by an incorporeal creature. A Craft (clockwork) check DC 21 is needed to place the parts correctly. When placing the components, the creature may choose to make a knowledge check to "program" the golem. The DC for this check is 20 to provide the equivalent of 15 ranks in the chosen field of knowledge. For every 5 by which the DC is increased the creature gains an additional 4 ranks. The Golem's resultant equiveltn knowledge score can never exceed the ranks possessed by the creature making the check.
CL 17th; Craft Construct, daylight, geas/quest, searing light, sunburst, caster must be at least 17th level; Price 172,000 gp; Cost 92,000 gp + 6,400 XP.

Call Me Siggy
2007-06-06, 12:47 PM
Hmm. Very nice flavor...

Shouldn't this be LG (Or LN) instead of Neutral?

Also, everything will take damage from Light of Judgment, so why have that exception? Maybe alter it so it does more damage to Evil and no damage to Good.

Poppatomus
2007-06-06, 12:55 PM
Hmm. Very nice flavor...

Shouldn't this be LG (Or LN) instead of Neutral?

Also, everything will take damage from Light of Judgment, so why have that exception? Maybe alter it so it does more damage to Evil and no damage to Good.

Thanks for the feedback. Actually, originally, it was going to be lawful evil, get an INT score, and occasionally trade for gems to power its abilities. (it was also going to hate druids, feeling that the sun, in whose place it acts, was the true master of nature, not the silly man-bears)

Problem was I felt that made it too unlike a construct. Maybe it could be done that way and still work, but the mindlessness of its devotion to its cause is part of the creature and , I feel best represented by it being as much like a construct as possible.

Still, that's a perfect two for two in comments on this creature that think it should either have an int score or a characteristic that suggests an int score. Do you think I should change it?


The reason I built in the exception follows from that. In my own personal backstory for the creature, the initiates of the order that created the nimbus Golems either were immune to the same kind of damage or were themselves healed by it.

Thus, the Ray of Judgment actually was a way to distinguish friend from foe. It would be both harder to spoof than something like, "don't attack a creature wearing our style of outfit," and less dangerous than a password, which an otherwise unobjectionable person either might not know or be able to speak in time. It's not meant to distinguish good creatures from bad creatures, only believers from non-believers. Like any good construct, if you give it bad or imcomplete instructions it will come back to bite you.

Call Me Siggy
2007-06-06, 02:05 PM
You should give it an INT score. After all, it needs to think to believe. The anti-druid thing...might not work out so well, seeing as several Druid spells harness the sun.

Also, what order of people created these things? What did they believe in? What constitutes a "non-believer" in the golem's eyes, someone who isn't of the faith, or someone who is opposed to the faith's ideals?

Poppatomus
2007-06-06, 02:26 PM
Quick attempt at describing the guys that made these guys. I don't think this is a particularly good monster in itself, but if backstory is required, this is a first draft of where the Nimbus Golems came from.


Sun Worshipers [extinct]
"I don't understand how anything incorporeal could be that hard headed." -Punnyshas the Holy

Size/Type: Medium Aberrations (incorporeal)
Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp)
Initiative: 0
Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (+5 Deflection), touch 10, flat-footed 10
Base Attack/Grapple: -4/-4
Attack: unarmed (1d3 subdual only)
Full Attack: 1 unarmed (1d6)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: Incorporeal, Zealous Mindset, Sol's Blessings, Madman's Reasoning, Malevolence
Saves: Fort +0, Ref +0, Will +2
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 18, Cha 20
Skills: Knowledge (religion) +15, Spot +3, Listen +2
Feats: Skill focus: Knowledge (religion)
Environment: Any [extinct]
Organization: solitary, mission (3-10), Crusade, (10-50) or Tower (100-1000)
Challenge Rating: 2 (15 if accomponied by a nimbus golem)
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always lawful evil
Advancement: 2-4 HD (Small)
Level Adjustment: +2

Before you stands a ghostly creature, appearing as a humanoid, but with flesh that glows palely like the sun sifted through grey clouds. The light it sheds obscures it, almost to the point that distinct facial features are undetectable. Though you could have sworn you heard two voices when you were approaching along the path, you see no one else when you enter the clearing, save for a moss covered statue, though the creature continues babbling endlessly.


The origin of sun worshipers is unknown, though some believe they began their existance as a group of humans and were granted, or cursed with, their bizzare form as a result of their zealous faith. No one has seen a sun worshiper in some time, though some ancient tomes record an ancient, failed crusade against all the "unbelievers." At this point, the only known legacy of these bizzare creatures are the golems they created to supplement their weak physical forms.

When societies of sun worshipers existed, there closest paralell was that of the Ilithids. Each sunworshiper population center had at its heart a great class tower in which each sunworshiper lived, each at a various height according to rank. At the base of this tower toiled a slave class made up of whatever creatures the sun worshipers could capture or brainwash. These benighted mortals lived and died at the whim of the sun worshipers, kept in line by a combination of religious indoctrination and the unmerciful fist of Sun Tyrants. T

he sun worshiper religion told them that they were the elect of god, and that it was a privledge for a mere mortal to even gaze upon them. They were the natural masters of the world, just as the sun was the natural master of the heavens. This led the sun worshipers into a near constant state of war with neighboring people's and kingdoms. Though rarely directly violent towards another sun worshiper, as demanded by ths strict code of their faith, internecine conflict often saw schisms that led to the creation of new outposts as well as the occasionaly bloody proxy war.

Though capable of gaining class levels, the inordinate amount of time spent in relgious debate and study usually precludes the kind of effort necessary to gain the benefits of a class. On the rare occasions a Sunworshiper is able to do so, they usually follow the path of sorcerors, even though they will credit their powers to the sun, rather than the arcane, and behave as though they were clerics.

When forced to leave their home tower, whether in need of some rare material, to scout, preach, or having been forced out in one of their culture's unceasing internal power struggles, the sun worshiper is always accomponied by a Nimbus Golem. At the outset that nimbus golem is given a control word which allows the sunworshiper to control it as though it was the golem's creator. After a particularly brutal slave uprising some years ago, this design of the sun golems was modified so that before any new commands were accepted the golem would "test" its supposed new controler after the control word was spoken.

Single sunworshipers are usually accomponied by a single such golem, while a tower will usually have one golem for every 3 denizens. Before a crusade or a mission the sunworshipers will usually begin a heavy construction program, and those groups usually have 1.5-3 golems per sun worshiper.

Though loathe to do so, a sunworshiper will occasionally trade with a non-believer or interact with them without attempting to convert or kill them. Such interactions are rare, usually the result of true desperation on the part of the sun worshiper and frequently unsuccessful owing to the sunworshipers arrogance. Though usually keeping promises made to the letter dealing with them is as dangerous as dealing with a devil, and twice as annoying.

Zealous Mindset
A sun worshiper is so convinced of its understanding and positions that even magical compulsions are insufficient to change its mind. As a result sun worshipers are immune diplomacy, and gain a +20 to resist intimidate and bluff checks. They automatically make any save against mind effecting spells. However, any sense motive check made against them has its DC reduced by 15.

Sol's Blessings
Any spell that would do extra damage to creatures sensitive to light instead heals the sun worshiper. A sun worshiper is also immune to blindness and cannot be dazzled by any spell or effect that depends on light or color. The sunworshiper constantly glows as a torch.

However a sunworshiper also cannot enter areas of magical darkness. If magical darkness is cast ontop of the sunworshiper it is immediatly teleported to the a point beside the area of effect. This also prevents the sunworshiper from passing through objects, despite the fact that it is incorporeal, unless at least part of its body is exposed.

Madman's Reasoning
The sunworshiper is almost constantly speaking, extolling the value of its faith or debating with its companions. When it encounters those that do not share its faith it is compelled to try and convince them of error of their ways. However, the thought processes it uses is so alien to a normal creature that it is actually more hypnotizing then persuasive. Any creature, other than another sunworshiper, within earshot of the sunworshiper that is capable of understanding its speech must make a DC 12 will save each round or be fascinated for 1 round. Once this save is made the target become immune to this ability for 1 day.

Every round a character may make an opposed knowledge religion check to engage the Sun worshiper in debate. If successful, no creature other than that making the check is affected by madman's reasoning. By engaging the creature, however, the DC to resist madman's reasoning is increased by 5 plus or minus the difference between the character's knowledge roll and that of the Sun worshiper.

Blessed Malevolence
Once per day a Sun worshiper may occupy the body of a corporeal creature as a ghost using the malevolence (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/ghost.htm) ability. When posessed the corporeal creatures eyes and glow with light, as a torch, as does any exposed flesh. This ability lasts for a maximum of one day, after which both the target and sunworshiper are considered exausted. Only a creature fascinated by madman's reasoning may be a target of this effect.

Poppatomus
2007-06-06, 03:44 PM
Thus are their makers. Gotta think on the int score bit. Are there any implications to adding an INT score I am not seeing, or is it basically just a fluff/flavor change.

DragonTounge
2007-06-06, 09:11 PM
I have to wonder how a group of creatures with a strength score of 1 could create a golem made of stone?:smallconfused:

Also I would like to know how much xp and gp it would cost to crate this unless only a sun worshiper can create it?

Poppatomus
2007-06-06, 09:24 PM
I have to wonder how a group of creatures with a strength score of 1 could create a golem made of stone?:smallconfused:

Also I would like to know how much xp and gp it would cost to crate this unless only a sun worshiper can create it?

The strenght of one is why they had to build the Golem. The first Golems are built with the hands of the peoples they've converted/dominated. the later golems are either built by that same group, or by other golems.

Not sure I want anyone else to be able to create them, several constructs are listed with their method of creation forgotten, or so I seem to remember. Also, I don't know how to figure out something like that. Don't know what the cost would be or how to balance it. As far as I'm concerned though, the idea is out there. If you know a way to make them constructable, feel free, but please post it here so all can share.

The one thing I would ask is that they are somewhat less magical than a normal golem. It's not just hewing stone and casting a spell, there's a certain mechanical/alchemical element to it.

Triaxx
2007-06-06, 09:28 PM
I like it, very interesting. Almost speaks to the Forgotten Realms lover in me. Says Servants of Amauntor's temples.

aaron_the_cow
2007-06-06, 10:54 PM
cool!


The strenght of one is why they had to build the Golem. The first Golems are built with the hands of the peoples they've converted/dominated. the later golems are either built by that same group, or by other golems.

Not sure I want anyone else to be able to create them, several constructs are listed with their method of creation forgotten, or so I seem to remember. Also, I don't know how to figure out something like that. Don't know what the cost would be or how to balance it. As far as I'm concerned though, the idea is out there. If you know a way to make them constructable, feel free, but please post it here so all can share.

The one thing I would ask is that they are somewhat less magical than a normal golem. It's not just hewing stone and casting a spell, there's a certain mechanical/alchemical element to it.

they are made off fused obsidion made by the heat of magic and the sun, and are kept flecsible by the same materials.

Poppatomus
2007-06-13, 01:00 PM
Bumping as a result of some mechanical edits, (thanks to Vorpal)

Poppatomus
2007-06-13, 04:38 PM
first stab at a means of creation, any help would be more than appreciated, since I have no idea what I am doing:
Construction
A Nimbus golem’s body is fashioned from a number of disperate materials, each of which requires considerable precision in assembly. In addition to 2,000 pounds of exceptional quality obsidian, worth at least 8,000 gp construction of the various internal mechanisms and the cloak requires 4,000 GP worth of various gemstones and an alchemical mixture of several pounds of adamantine and mithral worth an additional 1,000 GP.

Shaping the obsidian requires a DC 20 craft (Sculpting) check or a DC 23 craft (armorsmithing) check. The Body is divided into roughly four major components, each requiring a seperate check. Creating the Gems for use within the body requires half the gems and a DC 20 Craft (sculpting) check. Whoever makes this check must also make a knowledge (religion) check DC 15in order to impart religious learning into the Golem. Combining powdered gems with the adamantine and mithral requires the other half of the gems and takes a DC 20 craft (alchemy) check. This is then used to soak a mundane cloth cloak for one week, after which time it will naturally fit into a already prepared slot in the golem.

A simple daylight spell cast at the fully assembled golem is all that is then required to animate it. This effect can be duplicated by leaving it out in sunlight continuously for one month.



CL 16th; Craft Construct, caster must be at least 16th level; Price 110,000 gp; Cost 70,000 gp + 4,400 XP.

stolenchariot
2007-06-15, 04:08 PM
I'm giving you a yes vote for MITP II

Matthew
2007-06-16, 11:26 PM
Pretty cool.

Willpower Save should be 4(5), though, since you gave it Wisdom 12 (+1).

Similarly, Attack Bonus should be 10(18), as this is Large Sized. [I think that makes its Grapple 18(22)]

Poppatomus
2007-06-17, 12:09 AM
Thanks for the feedback Matthew. I'll make the mechanical changes shortly. Your help with the mechanics, here and elsewhere, is much appreciated.

Not cool enough for a vote though, eh? :smallbiggrin: (I'll take noes as well as yeses. Wow, those are definitely not spelled right.)

Icewalker
2007-06-17, 11:18 PM
Very cool. You've inspired me for some dungeon room involving a door that only opens every few days, and a light device that uses a daylight spell in the room. They have to camp out in the empty room with the statues...then the statues try to kill them. Fun times.

Mitp vote: yes

Poppatomus
2007-06-17, 11:47 PM
Happy to be some help in inspiration and thank you for your vote. If you are using this monster for that room, hell, even if you're not, do tell me how the encounter goes.

Icewalker
2007-06-18, 02:48 AM
It'll probably be a while. I'm still making my own campaign world, and the characters will be starting at first level :smallsigh:

Matthew
2007-06-21, 06:46 PM
Thanks for the feedback Matthew. I'll make the mechanical changes shortly. Your help with the mechanics, here and elsewhere, is much appreciated.

Not cool enough for a vote though, eh? :smallbiggrin: (I'll take noes as well as yeses. Wow, those are definitely not spelled right.)
No problem. It's quite fun and helps me understand the monster as well. I just forgot to vote, to be honest, but seeing as it all looks mechanically accurate now, I'll cast my vote:

Mitp Vote: Yes

Lord Iames Osari
2007-06-27, 10:45 PM
I'll throw in an MitP Vote: Yes as well.

Doi
2007-06-27, 11:22 PM
Really liked both monsters.
Is it possible to play a Sun Worshiper as a PC?

MitP Vote: Yes

MeklorIlavator
2007-06-27, 11:25 PM
Wow, that looks great.
MitP Vote: Yes
Question: Does this count as 2 entries, as it has 2 different sat blocks, or one combined entry, and if it does count as 2 entires, should we put votes for each one individually?

Poppatomus
2007-06-28, 12:07 AM
Well, the original idea for the sunworshipers was just to answer the question of who built the originaly golems. They haven't been as heavily vetted as the Golem, since I hadn't really considered adding them, it was just sort of an extra. Maybe I will, if I do, I will send it to a seperate thread and link it here. Thanks for the vote of confidence though.

as for playing as one, I don't see why not, assuming they were "de-extintincted"

Anxe
2007-06-30, 09:00 AM
That's a nice creation. You might want to put done how to create one. Mitp: Yes

Poppatomus
2007-06-30, 09:16 AM
Actually looking for advice on how to do that. I don't know really what would be reasonable for creating one, and what I did come up with is way, way too complex I think. The issue is that, more so then a regular golem, these are meant to include mechanical elements, so just gathering and shaping the materials doesn't seem sufficient.

Thanks for the vote, and sorry about the birds. (I myself was awoken, as I am every saturday, but the construction work going on right outside my window.)

Anxe
2007-06-30, 09:46 AM
I always wonder why a bird would be chirping it's head off at 3 in the morning. I'd shoot it if it wouldn't wake my neighbors. And here's a good thing on how to make it.

Construction
A Nimbus Golem's body is chiseled from a single block of black stone such as slate or obisdian, weighing at least 3,000 pounds. The stone must be of exceptional quality, and costs 10,000 gp. Assembling the body costs requires a DC 21 Craft (sculpting) or Craft (stone-masonry) check. In addition a large array of components must be added to the inside of the golem. These components cost another 2,000 gp and must be added with a meld into stone spell, or by an incorporeal creature. A Craft (clockwork) check DC 21 is needed to place the parts correctly.
CL 17th; Craft Construct, daylight, geas/quest, searing light, sunburst, caster must be at least 17th level; Price 172,000 gp; Cost 92,000 gp + 6,400 XP.

Poppatomus
2007-06-30, 09:49 AM
Thanks Anxe, that's fantastic. Gonna add a bit to provide the knowledge bonus, but otherwise perfect. Very much appreciated!

Anxe
2007-06-30, 09:54 AM
You're welcome. It's pretty much copied from the stone golem description with tiny things changed. Now the monster is finished!
:smallcool:
For sun protection.

Poppatomus
2007-07-01, 01:22 PM
You're welcome. It's pretty much copied from the stone golem description with tiny things changed. Now the monster is finished!
:smallcool:
For sun protection.

Very similar to the monster itself, actually.

bumped for the transitive property of electoral success.