How to: Clockwork (Construct)

[scibat]

So I wanted to add the clockwork template to something but the validation warnings indicated I had to set it as a Construct. No problem, except I cannot seem to figure out what tab that is under or how to do it, any help appreciated.

 

[Daemonfey]

You need to select a race that is a construct in order to apply the clockwork template. You select the race in the "background" tab.

 

[scibat]

You need to select a race that is a construct in order to apply the clockwork template. You select the race in the "background" tab.

But there is no way to add construct to an existing race? Say if I wished to make a race of clockwork androids that looked like humans?

 

[Daemonfey]

You are looking at things in the wrong way. - The clockwork construct template is there to describe a construct that is only working based on mechanics, whereas normal constructs are magical and contain some sort of "spirit" to guide their movements. So a clockwork creature is even more "soulless" than other constructs.

Construct is a creature type like "humanoid", "Undead", "Fey" and so on. It is part of what a particular race is.

What you want is a template that makes a race a "construct" - you will have to script this yourself in the editor as it does not exist (to my knowledge).
- While you're at it, you could do the whole race "Android" or whatever yourself with the editor!

http://forums.wolflair.com/showthread.php?t=10125&highlight=warforged

This thread might be useful, as it describes the "warforged" wich is a construct that is a living being. - Maybe you could use it and reflavour them to look like beings from other races.

 

[scibat]

Starting to sound more complicated then I wanted. The idea was to have a group of PCs who slowly learn that they are in fact highly advanced clockwork creations, but they appear and seem to have all the outward biological signs of being normal living creatures.

In essence I wanted to be able to slap the Robot or Clockwork template on them, but its starting to sound rather impossible. Unless I am missing something obvious that would make it easy to do -- Am I?

 

[ShadowChemosh]

Unless I am missing something obvious that would make it easy to do -- Am I?

Yes that HL does not stop you but instead HL gives warnings only. If you want to give your level 1 character six feats go ahead. Same with your case. If you want to add a clockwork template to a human go ahead as nothing stops you.

 

[scibat]

Let's say for argument's sake I wanted to take a stab at making this a proper race or template that I could add to my PCs. I have no experience with anything other than using HL, so how and where would I begin? How hard would it be?

 

[RavenX]

Closest thing I can think of is for you to Modify the Warforged race to fit your concept. Warforged are by their very definition, living constructs. The magic that gives them sentience is unknown to most, a house Cannith secret, but if your looking to create a race of sentient clockwork automatons that might be a good way to go about it.

 

[scibat]

Closest thing I can think of is for you to Modify the Warforged race to fit your concept. Warforged are by their very definition, living constructs. The magic that gives them sentience is unknown to most, a house Cannith secret, but if your looking to create a race of sentient clockwork automatons that might be a good way to go about it.

Is there a place that explains how to modify or add data files? I have never even touched the inner workings of Hero Lab so have no idea where to begin.

 

[ShadowChemosh]

Is there a place that explains how to modify or add data files? I have never even touched the inner workings of Hero Lab so have no idea where to begin.

The community has created some HL Video Tutorials over on YouTube you can check out.

I would recommend your first one being "Managing .user files" which also shows how to start the HL editor.

Once you have the editor started you go to "Help->Help on using the Editor" which opens up a huge amount of info. It is worth reading through all the help in this section as it has lots of good examples and stuff.

After that ask questions in this forum or do a "Search" as the search works really well and LOTS and LOTS of questions you have where already answered.

Don't forget to check out the links in my signature as the two Repositories have lots of pre-done work and they can be used also to learn from by coping.

Good luck!

 

[RavenX]

Is there a place that explains how to modify or add data files? I have never even touched the inner workings of Hero Lab so have no idea where to begin.

I recommend following what ShadowChemosh said. There are some youtube videos you can learn from which would provide a great deal of help.

I knew nothing about hero lab's editor this year when I started adding my own data. I learned alot by just using the Copy(New) feature of the editor and looking at how existing things worked before jumping into it. It will take you alot of time to get used to, but start small, use the editor's help file tutorials to get started with the basics. Watch the videos. I had to do a lot of reading in the HL wiki too, I saved it as a pdf to my hard drive for access when I need it since XML is different from the C++ I got used to in college. Code monkeying is like learning a new language, your only going to get so far without actually getting your hands dirty and writing code yourself. Like I said, start with the small stuff first, and then do more, explore the editor a bit and you will start learn what it does.

 

[scibat]

Thanks for all the help, I think I managed to cobble together a template that does what I wanted. I made it a template since the PCs appear to be human by all accounts, and will not be aware of their nature until they are seriously injured or in some other situation that makes their synthetic natures obvious.

I can give them their character sheets sans the template, so they can reference their abilities, but I have a copy with the template added so I know their immunities and vulnerabilities.

Again thanks!