Homunculi are basically human beings created through alchemy. In Popanzland they replace the workforce and several other functions in the region. Depending on the quality of the materials made, this can allow a homunculus to last anywhere between 5 - 100 years. They say the more pricier the homunculus, the longer they’ll last.
Homunculi are made very much anatomically correct, however they are sterile unless explicitly made for breeding. Cognitive functions are also limited as well, because a homunculus who can think for themselves is considered dangerous. However, it isn’t unheard of for them to be highly intelligent, sometimes moreso than their creators. But it’s rare, especially considering that they are massed produced. It’s more common to find a homunculus that can last 5 years than it is for one to live up to 100 years to be on the market. The rich are often the ones looking at expensive Dolls (a type of homunculus under the current classifications of Popanzland).
Homunculi are also emotionally stunted, but over their existence can in fact learn to think and feel like a human. In which case, they are often eliminated quickly before they become totally self aware and call for freedom and social justice. Homunculi are not classed as people or citizens and if they became self aware would most likely asked to be treated on equal footing as actual humans.
Spotting a homunculus isn’t hard. One look into their eyes is usually the strongest bet as their pupils are not rounded like a normal human’s would be. To differentiate between them and normal human beings, their eyes are given shapes that class them as specific types of homunculus set for certain tasks. Another way to spot if they;’re a homunculus is to find a belly button, since they would have none. Homunculi are also generally given certain items that reflect what job they’re assigned to, coloured bright red to spot them at a distance.
In terms of colouring, homunculi are general albino, however adding certain materials will net you homunculi with different colouring. At the very least, the hair colour can be dyed once made, but everything else must be decided on before the homunculus is formed.
The following are the classifications (and sub classifications) of homunculi in Popanzland:
Puppets are blessed with higher functions and the capability to learn and adapt, which is why they’re given such finite lives or trained/made to be obedient and totally subservient to the needs of humans. Made strong and intelligent, they are the most recent type of homunculus developed to aid the people of Popanzland. They’re able to make decisions on their own based off of parameters taught to them upon creation, coded straight into their genetics.
Servant Puppet: They’re here for day to day life and care giving. Whether it’s to work as a maid within a home, a nanny to look after children or medical care, these homunculi were meant to nurture and care for their human masters. Because their prime genetic directive is to care, if they cannot give service to those around them, they can go mad and need to be put down. Given a higher consciousness than other homunculi, they struggle with what they are and what needs to be done. Their pupils are shaped like crosses and they are often dressed in the clothes of a medical practitioner, though in red varieties.
Enforcer Puppet: Strong in body they are the main police and military force in Popanzland. While the majority answer to the Crown, there are privately owned Enforcers who act as bodyguards or patrolmen within smaller towns or to individuals. When given the task of protection or to seek justice, they will rarely be able to judge from who is a threat or who isn’t unless specifically notified by their owner. Enforcers are very tough, require little rest, and are very loyal to the point of killing all others if they feel the need. They can take things to the extreme if not taught to differentiate. They believe they are the law and will firmly enforce their own code otherwise. Their eyes are slited, similar to many kinds of predators. The highest amount of Shadows were born from rogue Enforcers.
Golem
Made to do most taxing manual work. They are usually strong and very capable with their hands, though initially not very clever. They need instruction and purpose to continue existing or they might end up in a position where they might go rogue out of personal existential crisis. They’re made to need little to no sleep, though letting them rest is beneficial. Recent homunculi in this typing have been made to need light to continue their functions.
Construction Golem: As their name denotes, they are charged with the building and maintenance of structures within Popanzland. They are strong and skilled at building and fixing buildings. They are very much in tuned to the earth, the stone, the gravel; they are very much linked to nature still. Given the power to alter their shapes as needed, some have opted for more streamlined looking bodies than human shape, though they do retain human form when speaking to their human masters. Their pupils are shaped like spades and their chosen tool is coloured red.
Artisan Golem: Skilled craftsman tasked to create certain items. Some were made for smelting and blacksmith work. Some were made for factory production. And some are far more skilled in delicate artistry such as weaving and clothes making. The higher end Artisan Golems are dexterous, whereas the lower end are closer to their kin the Construction Golem and made to work in assembly lines. Artisan Golems have clover shaped pupils. Depending on the trade (artistry and the like), that item will be painted red; an example would be a blacksmith’s hammer made in red metal.
Doll
The first type of homunculus made, they became the incubators to aid in the falling birth rate of Popanzland. Generally considered lifeless as they have no thoughts for the most part, considering they were made to giver birth to children. However in recent years it isn’t uncommon to have brothels filled with Dolls who have developed something of a personality to act as prostitutes for paying patrons. Those Dolls were developed separately from actual Breeder Dolls, as Breeders are meant to give birth in controlled environments and Pleasure Dolls were meant for sexual stimulation without the consequence of accidental reproduction.
Breeder Doll: Homunculi made to birth children in a lab or hospital. They have no pupils and are considered blind and dumb. Their nervous system is the most basic possible so they feel no pain. Recent versions, unfortunately, do not meet the same standards as the originals made centuries before so instead of creating new beings what genetic material is introduced into their wombs will be a replica of the person who gave that genetic material. When inseminated it is artificially and selectively done. Breeder Dolls are exclusively female and have a red number tattooed to their abdomens.
Pleasure Dolls: Designer Homunculi either kept as companions or used for physical pleasure. As their name implies, they were created for physical need, though some really do simply keep them as someone to stave off loneliness. Simple in nature, they can learn and develop, but because they’re physically weaker than most humans, it isn’t too dangerous. Sterile, there is no fear of reproduction if one chooses to sleep with a Pleasure Doll. A Pleasure Doll’s eyes have Diamond shaped pupils. Pleasure Dolls can be male or female.
Shadow
Shadows are homunculi who have gone AWOL. Those who have gained self awareness and who aren’t happy with how things are. Usually the ones who become disruptive, aggressive and even violent. The most likely homunculus to become a Shadow are Puppet types. If a homunculus has been labeled a Shadow, it is most likely they’ll be up for extermination.
Known as the ‘perfect’ homunculi. Powerful and seemingly immortal. They are known as myth and legend. Supposedly at the beginning of alchemy, they were created by the famed alchemist known as Aureolus von Hoenheim in response to the wastefulness and greediness of mankind. Said to possess unimaginable power, the Nine Marionettes were beyond what normal alchemists could hope to achieve; sentient and souled beings that took their fates into their own hands and killing their maker.
The truth of the matter is, Aureolus did in fact make these homunculi before his death. The first eight truly were a part of his regrets and anger at humanity. The first truly was born of his spite, but as he progressed through the rest of his Marionettes, he began to rue his earlier ways and sought to make less harmful homunculi, but of course it was too late. The first 8 Marionettes had parts of them taken to create the ninth, making them now incomplete. The ninth marionette was set off to the world in order to hold off the others.
Because of their now incomplete nature, they wish to be whole. They became beings that needed to devour what they missed. A prime example is of the first Marionette [LILITH] who feasted upon the hearts of captured young maidens to continue the upkeep of her high functioning body. The first eight Marionettes were no longer perfect after all, and needed to sustain themselves, usually in bloody ways.
Like other homunculi their eyes are indicators that they’re not wholly human, and each one was given an item to aid them in their specific tasks by Aureolus. Of course, people merely call them a story, just something to scare young children at night to be good. But no one knows that lurking in the shadows...they were leading on the entire nation...
