Homunculi

"Slaves that don't eat, don't talk back and don't try to escape, what more could a man want?"

Basic Information

Anatomy

Homunculi exhibit diverse forms dictated by their purpose. While some resemble crude humanoids with patchwork skin, glowing veins of vitae essence, and mismatched limbs, others are more specialized, incorporating animal traits like wings, talons, or serpentine bodies. Many are chimeric, blending organic and inorganic components, such as metal reinforcements or limbs replaced with tools like hammers or blades. These constructs are often unsettling, their forms betraying remnants of their origins—a lifelike eye here, a preserved claw there—reminders of the invasive process that created them. Elfs craft their homunculi with a fluid, nature-inspired aesthetic, while Dwarfs favor mechanically precise designs reinforced with steel and stone. Humans, driven by pragmatism, often produce cruder but highly functional forms.

Genetics and Reproduction

Homunculi are not born but assembled, their bodies stitched together from organic remains and bound with alchemical energy. The process, though shared across cultures, varies in style: Elfs infuse natural elegance, Dwarfs rely on engineering precision, and humans use whatever materials are at hand. Once animated, homunculi cannot reproduce or heal independently; their longevity depends on the skill of their creator and the resources used during their construction. As they degrade, their bodies collapse into alchemical sludge or inert remnants, leaving behind traces of their magickal origins.

Growth Rate & Stages

Homunculi emerge fully formed from alchemical vessels, their lifecycle marked by a steady decline rather than growth. Their operational phase begins the moment they are animated, during which they perform their tasks tirelessly. Over time, however, their components degrade, and their magickal essence fades, leading to dissolution. This process can take weeks, months, or even years, depending on the quality of their creation.

Ecology and Habitats

As artificial creations, homunculi have no natural habitats. They are typically confined to the environments of their creators, such as laboratories, workshops, or enchanted forges. Those abandoned or left to wander often gravitate toward places rich in magick or decay, scavenging for sustenance in ruined castles or shadowy bogs. Wild homunculi, especially those found in regions like the Bog of Lies, appear as haunting relics of forgotten experiments, scavenging organic material or magick to sustain themselves.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Homunculi sustain themselves on organic material, magickal energy, or both, depending on their design. A labor homunculus might consume plant matter, while a guardian might absorb flesh or ambient magick. Without sustenance, they degrade, their glowing veins dimming as their bodies crumble into dust or sludge.

Biological Cycle

Homunculi are unaffected by natural cycles but respond to environmental conditions. High magickal energy, such as during solstices, temporarily enhances their capabilities, while harsh climates accelerate their decay. Some creators imbue them with a dormant state to preserve their vitality, allowing them to awaken only when needed.

Behaviour

Homunculi are entirely obedient, functioning as extensions of their creators’ will. They lack emotions, desires, or self-preservation instincts, pursuing their tasks with relentless precision. Ethical concerns surrounding homunculi arise not from their behavior but from their creation, which involves the reanimation of fragmented lifeforms into purpose-built constructs. While some cultures value them for their utility, their existence serves as a stark reminder of the uneasy balance between alchemy’s potential and its moral costs. Whether as chimeric guardians, tireless workers, or wandering remnants of forgotten experiments, homunculi embody both the ingenuity and the hubris of their makers.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Though mindless, homunculi are equipped with sensory mechanisms suited to their tasks. They may detect heat, magickal energy, or vibrations, allowing them to identify threats, locate prey, or perform assigned labor. Specialized constructs might possess heightened senses, such as hawk-like vision or the ability to "hear" through subtle tremors. However, these abilities are tools of functionality rather than signs of sentience, rendering them obedient but entirely devoid of independent thought... allegedly...

Conservation Status

Homunculi are rare constructs, their creation often outlawed across Everwealth due to their invasive and gruesome origins. Crafted from the remains of creatures and animated through alchemical magick, they serve as tools rather than beings, raising ethical questions that transcend cultural boundaries. While their practical uses—such as tireless labor or unwavering guardianship—are undeniable, their presence is often confined to clandestine workshops, abandoned ruins, or wild, untamed places like the Bog of Lies. There are no formal conservation efforts for homunculi, as they are viewed as expendable creations rather than entities deserving protection.