Copyright © 2001 by Robert J. Hall

These spells are new additions to the repetoire of the Animasters. Some of these spells are novel or known only by a few adepts. Certain spells have a separate Knowledge Skill needed to construct the vessel to be animated. In addition, the Golem animation spells have twenty more creature points than needed to allow for some leeway in their construction. Spells that do not require END to maintain have their endurance cost in parentheses.

Animate Clay Golem

This spell will animate a large sculpture, previously shaped out of soft, maleable clay. (See the Fantasy HERO Companion for stats.) The Wizard needs magic skill with the College of Earth Magic in order to give the Golem its powers. The artisan who shapes the Clay Golem must also make a skill roll against KS: Build Cloth Golem to form the figure correctly. Once animated, the Golem will obey all instructions from its master.

Animate Cloth Golem

This spell brings to life a large, stuffed doll-like figure, previously assembled from cloth or animal hide. (See the HERO Bestiary for stats.) The artisan who constructs the Cloth Golem must make a skill roll against KS: Build Cloth Golem to assemble the figure correctly. Once animated, the Golem will obey all instructions from its master.

Animate Flesh Golem

This spell brings to life an assembled Flesh Golem. (See the HERO Bestiary for stats.) The parts of the Flesh Golem must be gathered from various corpses. The artisan who constructs the Flesh Golem must make a skill role against KS: Build Flesh Golem to assemble the parts correctly. When the body is ready to be animated, the Wizard needs to provide a source of electricity, either from a storm or a lightning bolt spell. Once animated, the Golem will initially view instructions from its creator in a favorable light, but will eventually develop its own motivations.

If the Wizard fails his Magic Skill roll by two or less, the Golem animates and goes Berserk. Otherwise, the body is rendered completely useless and the Animator must start from scratch.

Animate Glass Golem

This spell brings to life an assembled Glass Golem. (See the HERO Bestiary for stats.) The blown glass chambers are filled with poison gas, making construction a hazardous activity. The artisan who constructs the Glass Golem must make a skill roll against KS: Build Glass Golem to assemble the figure correctly. Once animated, the Golem will follow any instructions given by its master.

Animate Ice Golem

This spell brings to life an Ice Golem constructed from a block of ice. (See the HERO Bestiary for stats.) The Wizard needs magic skill with the College of Ice in order to give the Golem its powers. Once animated, the Golem will follow any instructions given by its master.

Animate Metal Golem

This spell brings to life a Metal Golem. (See the Fantasy HERO Companion for stats.) The Golem can have a variety of forms, and manufactured from any hard metal, such as bronze or iron. The artisan who constructs the Metal Golem must make a skill role against KS: Build Metal Golem to construct the golem correctly. The Wizard needs magic skill with the College of Metal in order to give the Golem its powers. Once animated, the Golem will follow any instructions given by its master.

Animate Stone Golem

This powerful spell brings to life a completed Stone Golem. (See the HERO Bestiary for stats.) The Wizard needs magic skill with the College of Earth Magic in order to give the Golem its powers. The artisan who constructs the Stone Golem must make a skill role against KS: Build Stone Golem to carve the figure correctly. Once animated, the Golem will initially view instructions from its creator in a favorable light, but will eventually develop its own motivations. If the Wizard fails his Magic Skill roll, the Golem animates and goes Berserk.

Animate Wood Golem

This spell brings to life a Wood Golem. (See the HERO Bestiary for stats.) The wood needed to build this golem can be of various types, but must be fresh cut and free of cracks, insect holes, and other defects. The artisan who constructs the Wood Golem must make a skill role against KS: Build Wood Golem to carve and form the figure correctly. Once animated, the Golem will follow any instructions given by its master.

Autonomous Door

This spell is cast upon a normal hinged door, allowing the animator to open the portal from afar. It is rarely of practical use, and is commonly employed by the Animator for dramatic effect.

Eerie Assistant

This spell allows the caster to create an Eerie Assistant to do the Wizard's bidding. The assistant can only perform one task at a time, and will not engage in combat. (Note that the low strength of the assistant limits the types of tasks that can be performed.) The assistant will vanish when the caster falls asleep, is rendered unconscious, or moves outside the range of 205".

False Limb

When an individual has lost a limb through amputation, the Wizard can use this spell to actuate a temporary replacement. The artisan who constructs the prosthesis must make a skill role against KS: Build Prosthesis to determine if the limb is constructed correctly. When using the limb, reduce the DEX by -1 for each point by which KS: Build Prosthesis was failed. This spell can be used to actuate multiple limbs on the same target.

Floating Porter

This spell will animate a sheet which holds itself just above the ground by the corners and forms a slightly concave bowl. The bowl will follow the Wizard about, and can be used to transport up to 100kg worth of equipment and treasure. If the Wizard moves out of range for any reason, the porter is instantly dispelled and the fabric and its contents drops to the ground.

Hairy Hand

The hair of the caster becomes animated, allowing him to manipulate objects much like a hand. This spell requires no gestures, so the wizard can perform tasks even if his other limbs are secured. Naturally, the types of actions are limited by the length and strength of the hair strands. This spell requires constant energy from the caster to maintain.

Impulse

This simple cantrip allows the caster to animate any small, light objects within reach. Any manipulated items must remain within 4" of the caster while the spell is being maintained.

Make Simulacrum

This spell allows the wizard to animate a likeness of a creature or person. The simulacrum (worth a maximum of 75 character points) is severely limited in its skills, memories, and abilities compared to the original, and is incapable of improving its station in life. The construction has 0 EGO or less, and is under the complete command of the Wizard who created it. The Simulacrum is constructed from a clay vessel which roughly matches the original being. The spell first animates the clay form, then gradually transforms its external appearance until it looks almost identical to the original. (Make an INT roll to determine how closely the two match. An Artisan skill can be used to produce a better match.) Large beings will require several phases to complete, but only the END cost of the Transformation is paid once the Summoning is complete. If wounded, the Simulacrum oozes mud. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, the simulacrum animates (before the transformation has been completed) and attacks the Wizard.

Powerful Gauntlet

Upon casting this powerful spell, a gauntlet is animated that mimics any actions made by the caster's hand. The clumsiness of this heavy object prevents fine manipulations, but fortunately the gauntlet is powerful enough that detail work is often unecessary. The gauntlet weakens with increasing distance from the caster. If the caster fails his Magic Skill roll, the gauntlet grabs and holds the Wizard until he escapes. Lesser versions of this spell are known to exist at lower increments of STR.

Stay Portal

This spell allows the caster to animate a door or lid and force it to hold itself shut (or open) until released. This spell must be cast on the side of the door that opens outward, or it will be ineffective.

Strolling Chair

The cast can rest in any four-legged chair and use his animation powers to cause the legs to begin walking. The primary advantage of this spell is that it requires almost no energy to maintain, allowing the wizard to keep moving while relaxing on a cushioned seat.

Time Piece

The focus for this spell is a small mechanism consisting of various wheels, cogs, rods, bands, ratchets, springs, and other parts. Once the parts are gathered, to properly assemble such a mechanism requires a successful skill roll against KS: Artifice Construction. Casting the spell will animate the device and cause it to produce a regular motion that properly tracks the time of the day. This is very useful if the caster needs to determine the time when he is in a location where he can not observe the sun or the stars.

Trip

Objects on the floor, as well as the floor itself, animate and trip anybody moving through the area. This spell has no effect against swimming or flying creatures.

Walking Chest

This spell allows the Wizard to animate a large chest and cause it to follow along behind as he journeys about. The chest can carry up to 50kg, including its own weight. The chest is mentally linked to the Wizard, and can perform simple instructions, such as "Follow Me", "Stay Here", etc. Once the chest is opened, it will cease to animate.

Spell Determination

To randomly determine the spells known to a typical adept of the College of Animation, use the tables of scholarly disciplines below. An experienced Animasters will commonly have several spells from a single primary discipline, plus a spell each from the other disciplines.