Mechanik’s Union

(Reposted from the Privateer Press Forums.)

Arcane mechaniks and bodgers have so many cool gadgets to play with, but the weight of all that mechanika adds up. Why not make the gadgets carry themselves?

New Servitor Type:

Strongbox
These crablike servitors look like a cross between an overgrown mite and a steamer trunk. Indeed, that’s what they are. Strongbox servitors take the form of a rectangular, iron-bound chest with a mechanikal undercarriage from which protrude six to eight legs, as well as a quartet of ocular lenses, one pointing in each direction. Not especially helpful in a foundry, where a mechanik would lay out his own tools and a servitor would be of use in directly assisting with the work, strongboxes are designed to assist mechaniks working in the field by carrying equipment and tools for them. Strongboxes make popular mechanikal familiars for adventuring arcane mechaniks and mechanists in particular. Continued »

Base Servitor Levitation device for Broodfather Warjack that carries servitors and launches them into battle. Flies 60 ft. per round. Has a maximum flight ceiling of 60 ft. up or down from point of launch, and 6 minutes combat flight time before needing a recharge. “Carrion Beetle” Melee Attack Servitor
Tiny Construct (Servitor)
HD: 1/2 1d10, hp 3
Init: +3
Spd: 60 ft (see text)
AC: 15
Base Attack: +2
Grapple: -6
Full Attack: Buzz cutter: +2 (2d4 slash)
Dive Bomb: +6 (2d4 slash, see text)
Special qualities: Darkvision 60 ft, Construct Traits, Servitor Traits
Alignment: neutral
Saves: Fort: +0, Ref: +3, Fort: +0
Str 10, Dex 16, Con -, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 1
Novotski Accumulo-Inducer with a Standard accumulator
Cost: 770 gp

Flight: These servitors fly as though under the effect of a Fly spell cast at 3rd level. They will always try to return to their point of origin before the spell expires. Activation of this ability drains 3 charges from the servitor’s accumulator. These servitors may not move any other way, and if they are grounded, they are immobile. They may re-activate this ability for a further 3 charges.

Dive Bomb: When these servitors charge, they use their momentum to inflict additional damage to their targets. Since they are harder to dodge when moving at such speeds, the servitors gain a +4 to their to-hit roll instead of the standard +2, but take only a -2 to AC. For every 20 feet away from the target the servitor starts its charge, add +1 to the damage for a max of +6.

{Thanks to Psycomancer for above description and stats.}

[Credit for this idea goes to Peredyne. His post on the Privateer Press forums originated it as far as I can tell. This post merely expounds upon the idea, and converts it to Clockwork instead of magical. I'm sure a mechanikal version can also be made]

The Helper Holster is an oversized pistol holster that is able to automatically reload the weapon. Clockwork mechanisms are mounted in various positions around the space for the weapon, protected by the holster’s outer casing. The ammunition is stored in a felt-lined tube, gravity fed into the clockwork mechanisms (also felt-lined) that loads it into the weapon. Therefore, the Helper Holster will only operate while it is hanging vertically; if the user is laying down or the holster is otherwise not hanging vertically, a small switch in the holster will detect this and prevent the holster from attempting to reload the weapon.

Earlier versions used more forcible means to provide a more solid feed into the weapon, but after several accidental tears of the delicate wrapping of the ammunition resulted in explosions, the vast majority of manufacturers of Helper Holsters use the more gentle-handed approach.

The device is powered by strong wound spring. Fully winding it requires 2 standard actions, and will provide enough power for 20 rounds of reloading time. When the reloading procedure is finished, a small bell in the holster is struck, thus notifying the user that the weapon is reloaded. Removing the pistol before the reloading is finished is not advised. The weapon will be unable to fire, and it may also damage the clockwork mechanisms.

Reloading certain firearms can be a difficult task even for trained gun users. Even the most advanced clockwork mechanisms can only hope to approach the skill of their creator. A standard rule for the ’skill’ of automated devices can be found on IKCG pg 137. A Helper Holster cannot be created if the DC for reloading the weapon is greater than the effective Craft(small arms) skill of the holster + 5, as that represents the upper limit of acceptable failure rates for the reloading mechanism.

Pistols in the IK vary greatly in their reloading procedure. As a result, a Helper Holster will only accept the specific type of pistol it was designed to reload. Small switches, notches and blocks on the inside of the holster will prevent any other type of pistol from being inserted. Any modifications to the outer shape or reloading procedure for a pistol will require a new Helper Holster. Helper holsters cannot be created for rifles, blunderbusses, shieldguns, etc. Holstered pistols only!

The price of a helper holster is typically 50gp plus 50gp times the effective Craft(small arms) skill of the device. Truly exceptional work, such as that required to reload the various Gunwerks pistols, may cost much more…if it can be done at all. The Craft(clockwork) DC for creation is 20 plus the effective Craft(small arms) skill of the Helper Holster. Helper Holsters are always custom work, and the crafter needs the pistol or one identical to it for the duration of the creation.

Although clockwork tools have yet to make it into general circulation, they are highly desired by those in the know. They are somewhat bulkier and more delicate than their mundane counterparts, but by automating some or even all of a given task they can provide a great boon to those that need a extra hand or need to do too many things at the same time.

Clockwork tools come in two variations: those that assist the user in their task, and those that can perform a task completely autonomously. More advanced versions can even perform either function, selected by a switch on the tool.

One area in which clockwork tools truly shine is in the task of lockpicking. Clockwork assisted lockpicking sets, or Lockbusters as they are sometimes called, are rapidly becoming a must-have tool for rogues and their ilk.

After a couple good turns of the winding key on the rear of the device, the Lockbuster is attached to the lock by means of a ring of magnets. One knob is set to apply a constant but hands-free torsion to the lock internals, leaving the user two hands to operate the pick device. The pick tool is mounted onto the back of the magnetically-attached part, and has several thin picks mounted side by side, able to be slid into the appropriate depth into the lock. The unwinding spring produces an adjustable wiggle in the active pick, easing it into the appropriate position, where it is then locked in place. This is repeated with additional picks until all the necessary parts have been compromised and the lock has been ‘busted’.

In the fully-automatic option, additional spring powered mechanisms automatically measure and adjust each of the options previously left to the user. However, even the cutting edge of clockwork technology does have its limitations, and as such these automatic lockbusters are never as skilled as creators. See IKCG pg 137 for the details on this limitation.

Typically, Lockbusters can operate for 30 seconds (5 rounds) on a full winding. This provides the user several attempts at picking the lock without having to stop to rewind the device. Winding up the Lockbuster is a standard action, as is mounting the device to the lock.

Details on the construction requirements/costs for clockwork tools of all kinds are listed on IKCG pg 149.

This was written up way back in 2003 or so by Clint Staples. Clint is a respected sculpter and writer. You can see his work on his website.

Swordcanes and brandestocks are the names for various sizes of weapon concealed in a walking stick or staff.

• Swordcanes can hold shorter, lighter weapons with smaller blades, flanges or spikes.
• Brandestocks do the same for larger weapons.

Axes cannot be so concealed, but picks, maces, swords, even chain weapons can be (remember this is a culture that produces clockwerks).

Ingeniously hidden, the lethal surfaces are deployed though the pressing of a stud or switch. Then a complex array of hinges, springs, and locking pins transform the stick into its martial counterpart.

Because this is a more dangerous world than our own, I have decided that both sizes of weapon are equally fashionable within the culture. It is a question of preference. They can be used as light or heavy maces respectively when the weapon is concealed. A swordcane or brandestock weights the same as a normal weapon of its type.

All Swordcanes and Brandestocks are masterwork weapons and confer +1 to hit in either weapon form or cane form.

Costs are:

Swordcane
500 gp + cost of the weapon; 30-42″ long.
Possible weapons: rapier, longsword, shortsword, sickle, half spear, light hammer, light pick, light springbow (as crossbow)

Brandestock
550 gp + cost of weapon; 40-50″ in length.
Possible weapons: heavy mace, morningstar, short spear, light flail, heavy pick, trident, warhammer, heavy flail, greatsword, scythe, bastard sword, two-bladed sword.