A Vain the Sword Addendum
(GLoGhack by Phlox)
Intelligent Peoples (of Holy Selmat and Beyond):
Kaf-Tsadhi
Humans
Serset
Elves
Eulogy
Gnomes, Fae and Related Peoples
Pre-Skeletons
Talking Animals
A varied people, typically bipedal, and distinct in manner of their birth, or rather, creation. Also known as “clay men,” “mudmen,” and “kolam.”
No two golems are the same, even if created by the same method, though they share some common aspects, notably, that they are a mechanical or otherwise articulated creation, usually of clay or stone, that is imbued with a soul and animated.
How this is accomplished varies - though magic is involved in all cases. This book is not meant to teach one how to create such a being, so I will not delve into the finer detail of the creation of golems, but the relevant details involve magic, time, and building the golem a body, as well as words of power most often written on the forehead (though they can be written on other body parts, despite the popular misconception that these words are always written on the forehead.)
Most golems are created with a specific task in mind in order to serve their master. Many golems in the western areas of Holy Selmat are warriors or caravan guards, while others simply make simple goods or transcribe notations from courtly proceedings. While relatively rare due to the complexity of the magics involved, these peoples are to be coveted, but not used.
I have chosen to include golems in my list of peoples of the world, because I believe them to, indeed, be people fully and truly, no matter the manner or their creation. A being with a soul is a person as much as anyone, and I would do them no small injustice if I did not include their people in my writing.
A golem that does not have, or no longer has, a master will often go through a period of insecurity of purpose - very reasonably if you know yourself to be created for a singular purpose or reason. This does not mean, however, that a golem cannot learn and adapt to life without a master, and indeed, many do so successfully, learning to find purpose in whatever work they deem a good fit.
Biologically, they have no organs or skin, and rely entirely upon the body given to them when they were created. The variety of materials used can mean that they are difficult to fix or repair, and golems made out of materials such as wood can live considerably shorter lives than their clay counterparts, due to rot, mold, insects, or other issues. These problems can be solved or minimized by applicable use of resins and varnishes. Golems made of materials such as clay and stone have less problems with such things, though must still be careful of weathering over time, and refresh their bodies as needed.
For refreshment, golems of clay or stone may consume clay, sand, chalk or even gravel of varieties. Golems of wood or other organic materials may consume plant materials such as reeds, leaves, or even chips of wood or bark, and all golems seem to have a preference for what consumables they prefer.
Golems also have the advantage of their bodies being more separate from their souls than other intelligent races, meaning that they feel far less pain and can even reattach severed limbs or add completely new limbs or attachments if they so desire. Most often, though, golems are created with the average amount of limbs.
Their nature also, sensibly, means that golems cannot reproduce in a sexual manner, and also do not age or grow, they simply gain experience the older they become, assuming they take proper care of their body. There have been cases of golems banding together into family units, adopt other golems to help teach them the ways of the world, or even create golems themselves to raise as though they were a child, though this is not particularly common.
Sadly, it must be noted that many golem people are subject to disregard or bias by other people, sometimes to them point of being displaced from their homes or occupations, particularly if they are independent. The argument, as I have heard it, seems to be that a golem without a master may be unpredictable or insecure and thusly, a hazard to a settlement. From what I have come to understand, it is more likely that this an excuse to push out golems who are seen as a threat to jobs or other people’s businesses, given that they are typically well equipped to many kinds of work and do not tire.
I have also seen settlements that gratefully welcome golems into their communities, understanding that a golem is, in fact, a person with a soul, and that they can help with harvests or defense of a town with minimal fatigue or lapse in attention. Additionally, I will point out that there is very little danger to golems, at least not any more dangerous than any other person, and the benefits of accepting one into a community are numerous - they do not generally consume foods that other sentient beings eat, even, and so would not be a drain on resources other than space, they can be outfitted to do many tasks, they live extremely long lives with good upkeep, and as mentioned earlier, do not tire.
Average litter: none
Average life-span: indefinite, with proper care
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