Construct

Constructs are animated objects that have been either temporarily or permanently imbued with some form of life, usually through a mix of Artifice, Alchemy, and/or Aether Arts. The sentience level of these constructs varies immensely, and is not tied to their physical makeup, even though they are categorized by that physical form.

Constructs come in one of **two major types**: Biological, and Nonbiological. Their material can be a composite of multiple materials as well.

## Creation

### Crafted Constructs

Most Constructs are created directly by someone who crafted their body/shell and specifically imbued it with magic to animate it. This is typical of magic in the Artifice branch, though most animated constructs are only temporary and last no longer than a few minutes to an hour. It takes far more time, materials, and effort to create a permanently-enchanted construct that can last for months, years, or centuries, as something must power it and keep the magic sustainably and efficiently operating, rather than dissipating.

### Natural Constructs

There are many stories of objects being animated by a Place-Spirit such as a kami in Japan, creating a Tsukumogami out of household objects such as tools, instruments, or lanterns. A common hypothesis is that the object has become old enough (at least a century) to develop its own spirit and sentience, but this is not always the case.

## Sentience of Constructs

The simplest construct is merely an animated object that follows a simple directive by its creator, similar to a programmed robot. It is similar to a simple, conjured creature: incapable of thought or speech except where "programmed" to do so. This kind of construct is actually immune to mental effects such as confusion or psychic pulse, since it has no emotions or thoughts!

Advanced or sentient constructs require far more time, magic, and materials, but are possible. It is even possible to imbue sentience into an inanimate object. The personalities of these created objects are sometimes determined by the creator if they have enough emoturgy skill to imbue feelings and telepology skill for cognizance and critical thinking, but just like with born folks, the personality of a highly advanced construct is not something that can simply be programmed, and will develop and mature on its own time. It is possible to confuse such constructs, depending upon the spell.

Just as with conjurations, construct sentience is a hotly contested topic of morality among academic circles in regard to the rights and moral ethics surrounding their treatment.

(Game off: constructs are a fully playable species!)

## Physical Makeup of Constructs

### Type I: Biological Constructs

These constructs have a biologically-based body that was artificially created. Those with an artificially created flesh body are often called Homunculi. Due to the ethics of this, the creation of Homunculi is considered illegal magic. More detail can be found on their own page.

#### Wood

Pinocchio is an example of a wooden construct imbued with life. Wooden constructs tend to be carved or made of dead lumber; more rarely are they crafted of living wood or vines. They are usually weak to fire and prone to rot without proper varnishes, paints, or lacquers, just like in carpentry.

#### Shell or Coral

A construct can be crafted out of discarded seashells or even coral (whether living or dead), which is an organic substance. The shells are often held together by magic, or with other substances to create joints.

#### Hay

The scarecrow is a common, simple construct used by magical farmers to keep birds or deer out of their fields. It can also be intensely frightening if one is not expecting the scarecrow to actually move! Unfortunately, without constant anti-rot charms and cleaning, they do not last for more than a month or two before the weather degrades their structural integrity.

#### Paper

The simplest of constructs, paper can be animated to move and act of its own accord, though it is usually limited in combat uses due to its inherent fragility. Still, a swarm of reinforced paper minions can deal a fair amount of slicing damage, so they are not to be overlooked as harmless! Typically, paper constructs are used as messengers, mobile and disposable scrying cameras, or as alarm system guards. These constructs are often among the most intelligent and the easiest to imbue with sentience.

#### Cloth

Fabric, too, can be animated, and is often used on cloaks or jackets, or upon mittens that otherwise keep getting lost. Some have enchanted hats to help the wearer remember how to get home, or to watch over small children and keep them hopefully out of trouble. Other uses include having the fabric do household cleaning. A well-known doctor's cape is an example of a cloth construct with great sentience!

#### Web

Crafted of spider silks, this construct is extremely sticky, but it is weak to fire and acid.

#### Undead or Blood

Whether humanoid or animal, creating undead is necromancy, which is considered illegal magic. Blood Constructs, which are a coagulated pool of blood often encased in an external shell for a body, are also illegal magic. We include them here only for educational purposes, since some opponents have no qualms constructing and using such creatures.

#### Chimerics

This involves splicing two or more living creatures, and is considered illegal magic due to ethics.

### Type II: Nonbiological Constructs

These constructs are crafted out of inorganic substances.

#### Clay or Mud

Clay itself is easy to mold into unique shapes, but can be very fragile when baked. It is possible to have a raw, unfired clay golem whose carapace is moldable putty held together with enchantments that help it retain its shape and moisture levels. It is unwise to keep a wet-clay construct in an arid (dry) environment without very strong hydration charms to keep it from drying out. It is often used as a training material in schools to teach students how to create constructs.

#### Ice

The temporary nature of ice makes it environmentally dependent, or else requiring constant reapplication of sustaining charms to prevent melting. Due to its low cost, this material is often used in schools to teach students how to craft and imbue constructs.

#### Metal

The classic animated suit of armor is a common construct, though many other forms are possible, including transforming shapes and vehicles, or animated swords capable of moving through the air. The type of metal or alloy will impact both the durability as well as the price of the construct. The construction of this type may involve gears or may simply move via magic.

#### Sand

These constructs can be hardened into sandstone, or rely on magic to keep their grains together, acting much like a sand elemental. The latter is extremely difficult, but not impossible, so they are much rarer constructs with usually a niche use in being able to hide on a beach or in a desert, or being used to snuff fires or absorb and transport toxic chemicals.

#### Stone, Glass, or Crystal

Whether carved or left in natural blocks, these durable constructs are heavy and can look very natural, or be extremely ornamental and artistic. The type of material used will impact both its durability as well as the price of the construct. Stone is very common in construct creation, being both plentiful and able to be carved, and marble constructs make fantastically opulent guardians, as do obsidian or artificially-created diamond, corundum, or other hard gemstones. Constructs made of stained glass are immensely beautiful, but are not particularly durable.