Golem
Golems are a species of artificial life, sculpted from clay or stone, who are given life when the name of a deity is etched onto the underside of their tongues. Because the tongue is the source of life for golems, and because the tongue is such a fragile thing, these beings do not speak aloud—except under rare circumstances. Instead, they speak the silent languge of Fitshpïndshü—communicating with facial expressions, body language, and deep, prolonged eye contact.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Genetics and Reproduction
Golems are just as capable of creating golems as any other species, and do so in the same fashion. First, a body is sculpted—sometimes by one parent, sometimes two, and sometimes even more than that. Then the name of their patron deity is decided upon. Finally, in a solemn and austere ceremony befitting these children of stone and earth, the god or goddess’s name is scratched into the bottom of the tongue and an incantation is spoken to awaken the new being.
Because the incantation must be spoken aloud, and because golems tongues are so delicate, the species rarely conceives more than one child per individual.
Growth Rate & Stages
Golems are born fully formed, though some have been known graft additional material onto their bodies—or even to cut parts away—in an effort to make more pleasing shapes for themselves.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Golems do not eat. To begin with: their tongues are delicate. Secondly: they have no stomachs—no digestive systems at all, in fact. And third, they have no holes in them with which to eliminate waste.
Biological Cycle
Though theoretically immortal, golems are strongly affected by time and seasonal changes. Because they are made of stone and earth, they are subject to erosion. And because they live only as long as the name under their tongue does not wear away, they must take extra care to protect their mouths and everything inside.
Behaviour
Golems are not especially intelligent—at least not to begin with. The incantation which brings them to life was originally intended to create obedient manual laborers, after all. Because of this, many golems move through their lives with naught but one or two simple instructions in their heads. But in the modern day, golem creators have taken to giving their creations more open-ended and abstract commands—things such as, “Go forth and learn all that you can about the world” or “Leave every place you travel happier than you found it” or the simple (but profoundly difficult) order to “Do whatever makes you happy.” And this has led to the proliferation of far more worldly and wise people of stone.
Aww, I like them. Normally golems and the like make me uneasy, but I quite like yours.
Aw, thank you! Yeah, I needed a palate cleanser after the White Mages, so I made these guys nice.