Class Feature Friday: Construct Subdomain (Cleric Artifice Subdomain)
One of the biggest advantages of those that build are the servants they make for themselves. Constructs are a long-time staple of fantasy in various forms, and there’s no denying the strength of created servants, whether they be laborers, warriors, or experiments into the artificial creation of living beings.
In fact, one might argue that one of the greatest goals of artifice is to create artificial beings that equal organic creatures in intelligence and adaptability, making this subdomain a noble, if difficult and expensive, pursuit.
From the expert clockmaker to the priest holding the secrets of creating humanoids from clay, there are plenty of ways to use this subdomain.
Inquisitors that take this subdomain likely do so out of a desire to create divine constructs to further arm the faith against their enemies, but they might have difficulty making certain constructs due to their limited spell selection.
Though they still gain the ability to heal and harm constructs and objects with a touch, these clerics also gain the ability to temporarily animate objects, creating construct servants out of almost anything nearby.
Additionally, they also learn a few alternate spells, namely the ability to make minor rewrites to reality and transmute almost any substance into any other, both of which are very useful for crafting constructs.
Having added utility and/or ready-made tough, but limited constructed minions has its uses, but this subdomain really is meant to be paired with crafting feats, particularly craft construct, either through the normal method, or through the accelerated method with the story feat Defender of the People. Most of your character’s budget is probably going to go into saving up to craft your constructs or magic items, so keep that in mind. I recommend a build that can support allies, including ones that don’t benefit from morale, such as most constructs.
Artifice domain users might already be insular, staying in their workshops, but construct domain users might be even more so, preferring the company of their creations over that of other living beings.
It has taken decades of work and tapping into truly mythical realms of power, but the magnum opus of the grand priest Yanovi, a quintessence golem dedicated to the goddess of fate, is almost complete. However, Some believe that the creation of a being made from the very essence of the planes is blasphemy, and seek to slay Yanovi before his work is complete, resorting to drastic measures to combat the mythical mage.
They say that wood golems made from the peach wood of a toshigami’s ward have strange mystical powers, similar the oaks of dryads and so on. However, the violence usually necessary to acquire this wood taints the golem, making them especially violent. There are, however, stories of dying Toshigami bequeathing their trees to worthy mages and priests.
The aasimar enclave of Second Heaven is devoted to pacifism and ascetic exploration of faith and truth. It is not, however, defenseless, as devotees of the forge god often spend their time crafting constructs to grow their connection with their god, creating graven guardians, clay golems, and even the occasional juggernaut, the latter of which are often eager to be lent out for skirmishes that align with their interests.
