Iron Horse
Alchemy, Machina
An iron steed as fast as a heavy warhorse that can haul enormous loads but cannot fight.
From the book
A mechanical steed that can withstand 30 H.P. of damage and runs as fast as a heavy warhorse. It needs 10,000 G.P. of materials, plus 2,000 G.P. more for each extra foot of height if a bigger horse is wanted. It carries 5,000 lbs. with ease, and up to 10,000 lbs. if it keeps to a walk or trot. It has no real ability to fight, but its armor equals plate mail.
Machina are intricate, machine-like constructs of iron built to resemble various creatures, with mechanisms that imitate the abilities of the creature they copy. Building one takes a large workroom, a full set of metal working tools, 4 months (16 weeks) and a fluid ounce of aqua vitae to bring it to life; it cannot be done without an alchemist or a scholar skilled in both engineering and inventing. The chance of success is 55%, or 80% with a hired engineer, sculptor or scholar, who also halves the time. Machina are immune to non-magical weapons, poison, heat and cold (though lightning does full damage), move like the creature they resemble, and either follow up to three programmed commands or obey their master's spoken orders.
At a glance
- Cost
- 10,000 G.P. in materials (+2,000 G.P. per extra ft. of height)
- Hit points
- 30
- Carry
- 5,000 lbs. easily; 10,000 lbs. at walk or trot
- Combat
- No practical fighting ability
- Armor
- Plate mail equivalent
- Animation
- 1 fl. oz. aqua vitae
- Requires
- A large workroom with a full set of metal working tools; must be built by an alchemist, or by a scholar skilled in engineering and inventing
- Time to complete
- 4 months (16 weeks); halved with engineer, sculptor or scholar
- Chance of success
- 55% (+25% with engineer, sculptor or scholar)
- Immunities
- Non-magical weapons, all poisons, heat and cold (lightning does full damage)
- Speed
- As the creature it resembles
- Commands
- Up to 3 programmed commands, or follows master's verbal orders