Automata

Automata is the overarching term for beings made of machinery (not necessarily metal) that resemble living creates and are designed to serve a purpose defined by their programming. Automata can also be further categorized into fuel reliant and non fuel reliant, with fuel reliant automata being categorized into self sustaining and non self sustaining. This distinction is important as it helps explain the difference between Warforges and Clockworks. Warforges, currently, can only exists as fuel reliant automata. Clockworks, however, can exist both as fuel reliant and non fuel reliant (though this detail is heavily debated among their creators on what qualifies as fuel). A large majority of warforged are also non-self sustaining, with only a small portion of the population able to be 100% self sustaining.

People who work are automata are referred to as automasmiths. The title is given informally, and does not require prior study/knowledge of an automata's creation in order to be acquired.

### Naming Conventions

Traditionally, automata gain their full identification tag using the following format:

[Model Name] [Version Number] [WF / CW (WF for warforged, CW for clockwork)] [Usage Tag] [ID Number]

The usage numbers for automata designate the purpose for their creation. Makers are able to add on additional numbers or modify the standardized list to suit their needs, however they primarily fall into the following set:

1. Assistance (Mobility Aid/Guide/Nurse)
2. Service (Customer/Personal)
3. Facility (Factory/Labor)
4. Security (Combat/Personal Security)
5. Other (No specific requirement)

### Sentience

Sentience is not a factor that can be used to distinguished between automata types as, in theory, all automata have the ability to become sentient.  However, sentience depends on complexity, experience, intelligence, and their original programming.

There exists a test an automata can take that will verify their level of sentience. The nature of this exam is kept under tight restrictions, and most of the matierial, even for prior years is classified information. It is believe that the exam is customized for each automata and contains various emotional triggers to test their reactions. Additionally, the test will check an automata's basic functions such as computation, simulated pain, knowledge and empathy tests, etc. There is a general guide to sentience updated yearly to help automasmiths design AI to fit their needs. Upon passing the exam automata are given certifications of their sentience both to themselves and their creators.

Certification of sentience is needed for a number of legal and formal documentation. These certifications vary between locations, but are placed for the protection of both automata and their creators. Some cities allow additional documentation to be submitted to bypass these restrictions, and some have also argued in court over them, but rarely do matters reach such a stage without an automata being successfully tested for sentience first.

### Relations/Cultural Notes

Automata that are created by the same creator are often considered "siblings", regardless if they were created for the same purpose. Even if multiple people worked on the same set of automata, as long as a majority of the engineers working on them are the same they'll be considered siblings.

An automata referring to their creator as "master" is a very taboo subject. In recent time the practice has become very frowned upon, but it still continues with older automasmiths or those who make automata for their own pleasure. "Creator" or "Maker" is now a more appropriate title.

There are a handful of ways to insult an automata. Depending on the level of sentience and how the automata are programmed, these insults can vary in how much it impacts them. Insulting the automata's creator is the easiest way to offend an automata. Incorrectly calling a warforged a clockwork or vice versa may also lead to an automata becoming upset.

## Clockworks

Clockworks make up a much smaller portion of the automata population. Their complex design requires detailed engineering work and larger quantities of magic, making their creation far more costly. It is not uncommon for a clockwork to be used more for caretaking or host work instead of a general maintenance machine.

In terms of magical abilities, clockworks tend to be more magically gifted than their warforged counterparts.  It's difficult for a warforged to pick up on magic unless it is designed to have magical properties from the beginning, and they require additional training and magical input/energy in order to use magic.  Clockworks, having been made partly of magic, have a much easier time channeling and using their magic.  However, their abilities are limited to the amount of magic in their bodies, as if they use more magic than their bodies were created with, there is an increased risk of damaging their body structure.

Clockworks need more upkeep due to how complex their mechanisms are; if they aren't maintained consistently they will malfunction.  They also require keys, something that is almost never used in a warforged.

## Warforges

Warforges are mostly (70% or more) completely held together though mechanical means. Pieces can be attached magically, but magic is usually not required for a warforged to survive.

Another difference between the two are their composition.  Warforgeds are mostly (70% or more), if not completely, held together with mechanical means.  Any parts attached through magical properties as a warforged are additional features and are not generally necessary for a warforged's survival.  Clockworks, however, are primarily built and held together with magical means.  They are powered by clockwork mechanisms, but their body is magically held together.  Clockworks also require keys to be activated and deactivated.  Each key is unique to a clockwork, and so it can be more difficult to maintain large quantities of clockworks due to the number of keys they require.

Most of the cost for creating a warforged comes from fuel and materials. Their simpler bodies allow them to be created far more quickly, and also allow repairs to be made far easier.