PF - Create Construct Spell?

[unseenmage]

Hmm, had the idea to fiddle with a bit of custom spell creation. There are a few templates that make Constructs of non-Construct creatures.

Am considering using the Animate Dead (http://aonprd.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Animate%20Dead) spell as a basis for a custom spell to apply the Taxidermic Creature (http://legacy.aonprd.com/bestiary5/taxidermicCreature.html#creating-taxidermic-creature) and Waxwork Creature (http://aonprd.com/MonsterDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Waxwork%20Creature) templates to intact corpses.

Was also considering using Create Undead for the Waxwork Creature template instead as Waxwork Creatures have the potential to be quite strong.

Finally, I am also considering a 9th level version of the spell to make Alter Ego (http://aonprd.com/MonsterDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Annis%20Hag%20Alter%2 0Ego) and Trompe L'oeil (https://aonprd.com/MonsterDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Trompe%20l%27Oeil) constructs from corpses as well.

Thoughts Playground? Any 'turn stuff into Constructs' templates I missed?

[Feantar]

There's a thematic issue here.

Evil needs to have the more powerful choices as it is, by nature, not cooperative. If evil doesn't, then there would be very little evil to speak of. Animate dead is one such spell. If you want to create something that creates minions as easily or without an HD limit, and costs the same, then you disturb this balance severely as Necromancy is one of the staple moves of evil.

However, you can offset that by making the spell costlier, higher level, or just attach the evil tag on it (though, especially in waxwork, I see no reason to). Just remember that the most limiting factor to animate dead is the HD limit. Take that away, and the spell should skyrocket in level.

Other than that, cool idea.

[unseenmage]

Was definitely not contemplating removing the HD limit.

As far as pricing goes, in our games we use the Price by CR rules found in the Building and Modifying Constructs section of the PRD. CR2*250 to craft any Construct.
Will probably use that or a derivative of it.

Hmm, I wonder what gemstone to use instead of onyx?

[Feantar]

Was definitely not contemplating removing the HD limit.

As far as pricing goes, in our games we use the Price by CR rules found in the Building and Modifying Constructs section of the PRD. CR2*250 to craft any Construct.
Will probably use that or a derivative of it.

Hmm, I wonder what gemstone to use instead of onyx?

On the Taxidermic ones, I'd suggest no gemstones but large quantities of mercury. That's due to its alchemical symbolism (gives longevity, symbolises a state beyond life and death), as well as not being easy to carry (thus making it necessary to move a corpse to a lab or occupying a bag of holding). It can also give you a two sided use to the spell. Use cinnabar (an ore containing mercury) for a temporary (minutes duration) animation, and use mercury for a permanent one. Alternatively, make it keyed to alchemy, and have your character need to craft embalming fluid. Or combine the two, embalming fluid infused with mercury. The possibilities are endless!

On the Waxwork ones, the only one I could think was citrine. It's pretty inexpensive (aka, common) but also has a high hardness (as in Mohs scale, not the item property). I tried to find some mythological symbolism, but I was directed in websites who promote crystal healing and other nonsense, so I ran away as fast as my back button would take me. If you need to make a construct out of wax, instilling greater hardness than a candle in it would be smart, so hard gem. If you want to find some other gems hardness, look here (https://www.ajsgem.com/articles/gemstone-hardness-definitive-guide.html).