Homunculus

Homunculus (Latin: "little person") is a blue creature type used for cards that depict artificially made, but sentient and living, miniature humans. 
==Description==
These creatures are used for menial or dangerous tasks. Many homunculi just have one cyclopic eye (<c>Oculus</c>, <c>Riddlekeeper</c>).
The first creature to bear the type was <c>Bonded Fetch</c> in Future Sight, though the <c>Sneaky Homunculus</c> from Nemesis and the <c>Hazy Homunculus</c> from Prophecy were later issued errata to become Homunculi in addition to their Illusion type.
==Storyline==
===Alara===
Blue-skinned homunculi live on Esper, one of the five Shards of Alara. Like all living things on the plane, they are artifact creatures, and in Esper's case, they are magically constructed.Doug Beyer & Jenna Helland (2008). A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786951246 Homunculi are sentient and self-willed, but incapable of defying the demands of their creators. They are used for a myriad of purposes, but most often function as clerks, scribes, and couriers, and as decorative additions to mages' retinues. The mages of Esper measure their wealth and status by the number of these creatures in their retinues.<c>Court Homunculus</c>
Homunculi vaguely resemble small, "toy" versions of vedalken, which appears to make the vedalken uncomfortable around them. Whether humans intend a deeper symbolism in the homunculi’s appearance as an homage to the wise and noble vedalken, or as a hint to some sinister origin of the creatures is not known. Though the lives of homunculi aren't considered intrinsically valuable, humans keep them well protected, probably due to the labor and expense of their creation.
===Fiora===
It isn't known for certain who or what creates the cantankerous, seemingly independent homunculi that can be found around Paliano. (<c>Jeering Homunculus</c>)
===Innistrad===
The homunculi of Innistrad are based on the hunchbacked assistants of mad scientists or vampires in old horror movies (<c>Stitcher's Apprentice</c>).
===Kylem===
The sentient homunculi of Kylem are the caretakers of Valor's Reach. Their most visible role is on the field acting as penalty mages; no foul during play escapes their watch. Due to their lack of mouths, they use sign language (mutually understood by all adults on Kylem) to communicate. Zndrsplt uses a telepathic link to allow her cyclops friend Okaun to speak for her.
===Ravnica===
The homunculi of Ravnica are less human-like, and more imp-like (<c>Doorkeeper</c>, <c>Frilled Oculus</c>). They can't speak but do communicate with sign language and in written form.James Wyatt (January 2019). "The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Ravnica". Wizards of the Coast Ravnican homunculi don't have vowels in their names.
===In other media===
In Magic SpellSlingers, a homunculus announcer and 14-time champion of Valor's Reach named Vin speaks to the player and the crowd, though he doesn't appear to have a mouth. His communication may be telepathic.Magic SpellSlingers (2022). Wizards of the Coast. Accessed 21 Aug 2022.
==Tokens==
Tokens marked with are created by Acorn cards.
==Notable Homunculi==
==References==