A chest that moments ago was resting upon the floor suddenly stands on legs of its own. As it opens a lid on its top, an arm folds out from the side of the chest and begins sifting through the contents of its internal compartments.

A packmate homunculus is designed to carry items for its master. It resembles a wood and metal chest with many compartments. Four legs support it from below while two arms, tipped with pincerlike claws, stow and store items.

The compartments on the packmate are difficult to open. Treat each as if protected by an arcane lock spell cast by a 3rd-level caster.

A packmate can carry up to 76 pounds as a light load, 153 pounds as a medium load, or 230 pounds as a heavy load.

Combat

A packmate homunculus's place in combat is at the side of its master, where it can retrieve items or pick up anything dropped on the ground.

Throw Flask (Ex): A packmate can be directed to make ranged attacks with vials of acid, holy water, or similar splash weapons. It can throw any such item it carries.

Feed Potion (Ex): A packmate is dexterous enough to retrieve a potion from one of its storage compartments, uncork it, and administer it to a fallen creature. A packmate is typically given instructions to use a cure potion on its master if he falls.

Ready Item (Ex): The telepathic connection between a packmate and its master allows the packmate to anticipate what item its master might call for next. If the homunculus and its master are adjacent, then the master can retrieve an item from the packmate as a swift action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Construction

A packmate is crafted from wood, metal, and a pint of the creator's blood. The materials cost 50 gp. Creating the body requires a DC 14 Craft (sculpting) check.

A packmate with more than 2 Hit Dice can be created, but each additional Hit Die adds 2,000 gp to the cost to create.

Craft Construct, arcane lock, arcane eye, mending; Price — (never sold); Cost 1,260 gp + 93 XP.