Constructs: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Construct.jpg|right|thumb| | [[Image:Construct.jpg|right|thumb|150px|A Construct warrior. Image © WotC]]The earliest forms of '''Constructs''' went by the name "Golem". A golem is a humanoid being created to act as a slave, guardian or messenger. Examples of these are Homunculi, Shield Guardians, Helmed Horrors and, of course, the various golems (flesh, wood, clay, iron, etc.). | ||
These golems were, generally speaking, without intellect. Initially, they could only be programmed to performed a small number of fairly. However, a [[Gnomes|Gnome]] mage was experimenting with enhancing homunculi by instilling them with a small portion of his life-force, when it was discovered that doing so enabled the creature to develop a | These golems were, generally speaking, without intellect. Initially, they could only be programmed to performed a small number of fairly. However, a [[Gnomes|Gnome]] mage was experimenting with enhancing homunculi by instilling them with a small portion of his life-force, when it was discovered that doing so enabled the creature to develop a independent intellect. Later experiments by the notorious archmage, Savinfrow, and by the Shadow Lord, [[Landryn Teriak]], showed how the spirits of the recently deceased could be used to animate large numbers of these constructs and to provide them with the ability to learn far more than a few basic tasks. | ||
In 311 IC, [[the Merebian Empire]] started to lose the [[War of Secession|war]] against [[The Alliance of Independent Races|the Alliance]], led by [[the General]]. | In 311 IC, [[the Merebian Empire]] started to lose the [[The War of Secession|war]] against [[The Alliance of Independent Races|the Alliance]], led by [[the General]]. Due to the threat of rebellious [[Chundria|Chundrites]] and the real possibilty of the breakup of [[the Merebian Empire]], [[Emperor Ephestus]] decided on a bold course of action - he was to instruct [[The Cerulean Chancery]] to locate him a new army that he could control absolutely. Their response was to mass produce an army of constructs - mechanical men powered by the souls of recently departed Imperial soldiers. With the successes of the initial batch, the Guild of Tinkers (a loose collection of Gnome artificers) was given the materials to create as many bodies as necessary. | ||
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Shortly after the General called a truce and began work on drawing up a peace treaty. This treaty (the "[[Treaty of the Eight Thrones]]") was formally signed in | Shortly after the General called a truce and began work on drawing up a peace treaty. This treaty (the "[[Treaty of the Eight Thrones]]") was formally signed in 314 IC and stands in place to this day. Soon after this though, the remaining active Constructs began to exhibit odd behaviour. Although none of them recalled their former lives in detail they slowly started to take on the names and personalities of the souls that inhabited them. Eventually, large numbers of Constructs demanded to be set free from military service and many took up the careers they had in their former lives. | ||
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==Perceptions of Constructs== | ==Perceptions of Constructs== | ||
Many people in the Empire are confused about the Construct race. Most consider them little more than intelligent beasts of burden, equal to Minotaurs. Some realise that they have souls and should be treated as such but the fact that these wood & metal sexless beings were built for war is troublesome on a moral level. In general, Constructs that are obviously in the service or company of a human will be tolerated but a lone Construct will be actively segregated and told to get back to the Forgelands where they belong. Constructs in turn tolerate this because, as they put it - at least they aren't Tieflings! | Many people in the Empire are confused about the Construct race. Most consider them little more than intelligent beasts of burden, equal perhaps to popular misconceptions of [[Minotaurs]]. Some realise that they have souls and should be treated as such but the fact that these wood & metal sexless beings were built for war is troublesome on a moral level. In general, Constructs that are obviously in the service or company of a human will be tolerated but a lone Construct will be actively segregated and told to get back to the Forgelands where they belong. Constructs in turn tolerate this because, as they put it - at least they aren't Tieflings! | ||
Latest revision as of 13:18, 29 December 2019
The earliest forms of Constructs went by the name "Golem". A golem is a humanoid being created to act as a slave, guardian or messenger. Examples of these are Homunculi, Shield Guardians, Helmed Horrors and, of course, the various golems (flesh, wood, clay, iron, etc.).
These golems were, generally speaking, without intellect. Initially, they could only be programmed to performed a small number of fairly. However, a Gnome mage was experimenting with enhancing homunculi by instilling them with a small portion of his life-force, when it was discovered that doing so enabled the creature to develop a independent intellect. Later experiments by the notorious archmage, Savinfrow, and by the Shadow Lord, Landryn Teriak, showed how the spirits of the recently deceased could be used to animate large numbers of these constructs and to provide them with the ability to learn far more than a few basic tasks.
In 311 IC, the Merebian Empire started to lose the war against the Alliance, led by the General. Due to the threat of rebellious Chundrites and the real possibilty of the breakup of the Merebian Empire, Emperor Ephestus decided on a bold course of action - he was to instruct The Cerulean Chancery to locate him a new army that he could control absolutely. Their response was to mass produce an army of constructs - mechanical men powered by the souls of recently departed Imperial soldiers. With the successes of the initial batch, the Guild of Tinkers (a loose collection of Gnome artificers) was given the materials to create as many bodies as necessary.
Constructs were designed to be perfect soldiers, guards and labourers with few of the physical limitations of humans. As such, Constructs do not breathe or sleep. Although they have senses of touch, hearing and sight equivalent to that of a human their senses of smell and taste are very poor. A Construct can eat and drink (and apparently can derive some nourishment from these acts) but does not need to do so to survive. Constructs do not produce waste matter from material they ingest.
Just two years later, in 313 IC, the 65th legion was formed, consisting of over 5,000 "forged-men" (as they were colloquially termed), and was soon instrumental in several key battles. With this success the Emperor ordered the production of Constructs to be increased with the intention that the Imperial Army would eventually consist entirely of artificial men, eliminating the need to risk any more Imperial citizens in war.
Shortly after the General called a truce and began work on drawing up a peace treaty. This treaty (the "Treaty of the Eight Thrones") was formally signed in 314 IC and stands in place to this day. Soon after this though, the remaining active Constructs began to exhibit odd behaviour. Although none of them recalled their former lives in detail they slowly started to take on the names and personalities of the souls that inhabited them. Eventually, large numbers of Constructs demanded to be set free from military service and many took up the careers they had in their former lives.
In order to limit an adverse effect on the Empire by admitting that the souls of many Imperial soldiers would never reach any promised afterlife, the Constructs were given their own lands (now known as "The Forgelands"). The Guild of Tinkers were entrusted with maintaining these people and to discourage any "wandering" into human lands. Nonetheless, some Constructs have been able to leave the island and take up employment within the Empire.
Perceptions of Constructs
Many people in the Empire are confused about the Construct race. Most consider them little more than intelligent beasts of burden, equal perhaps to popular misconceptions of Minotaurs. Some realise that they have souls and should be treated as such but the fact that these wood & metal sexless beings were built for war is troublesome on a moral level. In general, Constructs that are obviously in the service or company of a human will be tolerated but a lone Construct will be actively segregated and told to get back to the Forgelands where they belong. Constructs in turn tolerate this because, as they put it - at least they aren't Tieflings!
