Cut-up Construct

Cut-ups are magically created automatons of varying power. Constructing one involves a decoupaged collage of scroll parchment and the employment of summoning magic, which pulls together the components for the Cut-up out of the ether. The tasks to be performed by the Cut-up must be written along the edge of the collage in a magical runic script. This is usually done in chalk so the collage may be reused.

The animating force for a Cut-up is a spirit from the Ethereal Plane. The process of creating the Cut-up assembles the component corporeal matter and breathes a temporary life into them, subjecting the ethereal spirit to the Cut-up’s creator, at least until their servitude is complete, as dictated by the tasks set forth in runes.

Combat

Since they are collections of multiple life forces all bent on competing their tasks and thus being set free, Cut-ups are strong-willed and tenacious in combat. They make any and all decisions based on this drive for freedom. They follow instructions explicitly and are incapable of any strategy or tactics outside this fundamental urge. For this reason, some may even attack their creators, if their creators are not careful to make their tasks clear.

Fatal Flaw

Cut-ups are destroyed if the collage used to summon them is destroyed, whether by fire, evisceration, or even a simple tear down the center of the parchment. Creators of Cut-ups must thus stow their collages with care, especially if they intend to reuse them.

Construction

The cost to create each Cut-up includes the cost of the scroll parchment used to breathe life into the collages and a bag of holding to provide the link the Ethereal Plane. Completing the Cut-up’s creation drains 50 XP from the creator. The bag of holding is not consumed in the creation, and once the Cut-up returns to the Ethereal Plane, the bag is left on the ground.

The resulting Cut-up can be up to 1’x1’ per level of the spellcaster. For instance, Mialee, a 14th-level spellcaster, creates a collage, and summons the ethereal energy to manifest a Cut-up up to 14’x14’. This creature is included in the stat block below.

The physical characteristics of a Cut-up come from its design on parchment, so there is infinite variation in their final forms.

Mialee's Cut-up
Size/Type: Large Construct
Hit Dice: 14d10+30 (105 hp)
Initiative: 0
Speed: 30 ft.
Armor Class: 23 (-1 size, 0 Dex, +14 natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+19
Attack: Slam +14 melee (2d8+8 plus deep cut)
Full Attack: 2 slams +14 melee (2d8+8 plus deep cut)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Deep cut
Special Qualities: Construct traits, fatal flaw, flip sides, fold space, damage reduction 10/bludgeoning and piercing, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to magic, low-light vision
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +5
Abilities: Str 27, Dex 11, Con Ø, Int Ø, Wis 11, Cha 1
Skills: —
Feats: —
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary or gang (2-4), up to ¼ the level of the caster
Challenge Rating: 11
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 15-21 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —

Cut-ups take the forms depicted on their collages.

A Cut-up cannot speak or make any vocal noise. It moves with a wide gait like the folding of paper. It appears weightless, yet is strangely corporeal.

Combat

Flip Sides (Ex): Every round a Cut-up is in combat, there is a 5% chance each round that it will determine that the easiest path to setting its ethereal energy free is to flip sides, turning on its creator. While fighting against its creator, there is a 5% chance that the Cut-up will return to its creator’s side.

Deep Cut (Ex): Since Cut-ups are made of pure ethereal energy, damage dealt by a Cut-up doesn’t heal naturally and resists healing spells. A character attempting to cast a healing spell on a creature damaged by a Cut-up must succeed on a DC 10+ the constructor’s caster level check, or the spell has no effect on the injured character.

Vulnerable to Blades (Ex): Cut-ups are especially susceptible to damage from slashing weapons, which deal double damage.

Immunity to Magic (Ex): A Cut-up is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below.

A blade barrier spell or other non-magical blade slows the Cut-up (as the slow spell) for 1d6 rounds and deals 2d6 points of damage.

Fold Space (Su): At will, Cut-ups can take shortcuts through the Prime Material Plane by folding themselves through the ether as per the spell ethereal jaunt.

CL 11th; Craft Construct, animate objects, resurrection, caster must be at least 11th level; Price 5,000gp in fine scroll parchment, a bag of holding; Cost 21,500gp, 1,540xp.