To Rodwyck The Sage

[Wargrave]

*The robed figure sat stooped inside his inn room, thoughtfully chewing the blunt end of his writing tool. With the smooth script of an accomplished 200 year old scholar, the elf brought pen to parchment*

Dearest Sage,
It has come to my attention recently, and perhaps you've already heard tell of this mysterious creature about which i seek advice.
A creature with the apparent ability to take the shape of others, and most noticeably, with the ability to Mimic has been seen in the area on at least three different occassions now.
When i encountered the creature it seemed immune to conventional weapons. However, i could sense that it had an aura of transmutation about it and when it spoke it talked of being made of mud. Of course, i'm sure you, and even i, could easily deduce that it was infact a mud golem.
Herein lies my difficulty, my knowledge of said creatures is limited and thus i turn to the most esteemed mage for sound advice.
I assume that it was being controlled by a wizard of some ability in mimicry? Is it at all possible to trace the creature back to the wizard when it makes an appearance? Perhaps like the cord binding an astral traveller to the material plane.
If this is not the case perhaps a clairvoyence spell would be useful to determine the source or the weakness of the creature should one acquire a piece of it?
Can the Golem be damaged by any means that you already know of?
These thoughts and more could continue, but i will stay my pen in the hopes that you will know the question that needs to be asked and the reply to give to a mere student of the Weave.

Sincerely, Garion Redwind.

Heading outside, Garion personally delivers the letter to Rodwyck's tower, ensuring its safe arrival.

[GodBeastX]

*One of Rodwick's pupils enters his personal study*

What now? Can't you see I am busy?

Sir I... What is that dreadful stench?

Dung, Jamenson. Dung that I carelessly spent 3000 coins upon before examining closer.

Dung? You paid for Dung?

I had believed it to be Dragon Dung... never the less.

*As his pupil's face scrunches up in obvious distaste, Rodwick stands from his desk moving toward his pupil*

What have you for me?

A letter arrived for you, sir.

A letter? Another asking for tutoring, no doubt. Very well, leave it on my desk while I clear away this filth.

Very well, sir.

[GodBeastX]

*A reply arrives with Rodwick's personal seal*

Garion Redwind,

You are wise to seek my council as I am quite a masterful wizard. However, you have approached me at a poor time, since generally I would research the matter myself. Therefore I will make a general assessment for you.

Golems are empowered by elemental spirits trapped within the form the creator gives them. However, the fact it was speaking to you and unable to be damaged leads me to believe this was not a golem.

What you likely witnessed was what I will call, for lack of better terms, a "Doll". Which means there is a puppet master pulling the strings, likely nearby to the location you witnessed the being, as controlling something that directly would require they be within the vicinity. The control would also, perhaps, be quite limitted in duration, depending on the potency of the caster.

This is only a theory, however, so you will need to research more yourself. Should you find anything of interest in your studies of this being, I expect a formal write up of your findings, as I am also intrigued. Consider it payment for my counsel.

Rodwick

[Wargrave]

* From the relative safety of his inn room the Elven Mage once again set pen to parchment*

Dearest Sage,

As per your request, an update;
Another sighting M'Lord Rodrick. Enclosed are two samples of the mud, one taken directly from the creature after the spells duration was exceeded. This is the remains of the doll.
The second sample is taken from the source location, from the mud that she originally used to bring "life" to the doll.
I used a scrying spell on the dolls remains in order to find this source mud, quite a stroke of genius on my part, wouldn't you agree?
Any insight you might be able to glean about said samples would indeed put me in your debt.

Sincerely, Garion Redwind.

*Having concluded his writing, the mage sealed the envelope and its contents and delivered them by hand to Rodricks tower*

[GodBeastX]

Rodwick pulls his apprentice over to the table where he has been examining the soil samples.

What do you see here?

Ehhh... Dirt, sir?

Precisely. This is ordinary dirt. How ingenius.

The apprentice looks at Rodwick with slight concern.