Vassalforged

The Vassalforged are a race of sentient constructs from the of Ironspire, on the continent of Obscuria. Originally created as a servile race designed to handle dangerous or mundane tasks, the Vassalforged have evolved over time, displaying characteristics and abilities that reach beyond their initial design.

Origins

Creation Process

The Vassalforged were brought to life by a unique process, merging the souls of animals with an artificially created body. This fusion resulted in a labor force capable of carrying out tasks that were too dangerous, tedious, or labor-intensive for the city's organic inhabitants. The bodies of the Vassalforged were crafted with meticulous precision from materials like wood, metal, and stone, each model tailored to suit a specific set of tasks.

Sentient Vassalforged

A prevailing controversy erupted in Ironspire when it was revealed that certain ambitious or unscrupulous artificers had begun utilizing the souls of sentient beings to create Vassalforged, a significant and ethically fraught deviation from the original design. Instead of the familiar process of transference, where animal souls were guided into their construct bodies, these sentient souls were forcibly torn from living beings in an agonising procedure.
This grim revelation sparked ethical debates throughout Ironspire, not only regarding the practice itself but also the implications of a sentient Vassalforged population. The controversy deepened as reports emerged of these sentient Vassalforged performing tasks far beyond the standard programming of their predecessors, suggesting levels of self-awareness, creativity, and independent thought unprecedented in the Vassalforged.
Despite the turbulent circumstances of their creation, these sentient Vassalforged initially appeared unmarred by their experiences. However, as years passed, some began to show signs of deep-seated trauma, a lingering echo of the process that had given them their new existence. Vague memories of their former lives, the painful extraction of their souls, and the sudden plunge into a mechanical form created a form of existential dread.
While most sentient Vassalforged seemed capable of suppressing these haunting recollections, cases began to surface where the emotional scars of their genesis resurfaced many years later. These manifestations only further ignited the debate surrounding the status of Vassalforged within Ironspire, as these events indicated a level of emotional complexity and awareness that was impossible to ignore. The fight for recognition and rights for these beings grew, evolving from hushed whispers into a rallying cry that echoed throughout the towering city.

Characteristics

Physical Characteristics

The Vassalforged, as constructs composed of both magical and mechanical components, present a unique set of physical characteristics. Their forms vary in design, reflecting the multitude of tasks they were created to fulfill, but all share common structural elements that define them as Vassalforged.

Material Composition

Each Vassalforged is built from a combination of durable metals, flexible woods, and resilient crystals. The metals, typically iron, steel or brass, provide the Vassalforged with formidable durability and strength. Their wooden components, often magically treated for enhanced durability, allow for flexibility and a lighter weight. The incorporation of crystals primarily serves as conduits for the magical energies that animate the constructs, though they may also serve aesthetic purposes.

Construction and Form

The initial designs of Vassalforged largely mirrored the forms of the animals whose souls were infused into them. Over time, however, especially with the advent of the sentient Vassalforged, designs have evolved to be more humanoid in nature.
The typical Vassalforged stands at a similar height to a human, although variations in design can see some as small as halflings or as tall as Goliaths. Their body shapes can range from lean and agile, optimized for tasks requiring precision and dexterity, to sturdy and robust, intended for labor-intensive roles.

Ghulra: The Mark of Identity

A unique feature of the Vassalforged is their ghulra, a glowing magical rune inscribed on a visible part of their body, usually the forehead or chest. The ghulra serves as an identifier, unique to each Vassalforged. It is believed to act as a focal point for the infused soul, anchoring it to the construct body.

Sensory Features

Vassalforged are equipped with sensory features that resemble eyes and ears, designed to mimic the sensory abilities of their living counterparts. These sensory components often radiate a soft glow, reminiscent of their infused souls. Despite the lack of biological components, Vassalforged have demonstrated a remarkable capability for sight, hearing, and even tactile feedback.
It's worth noting that despite their seemingly rigid and inorganic construction, Vassalforged are capable of nuanced movement and expression. They can emote through their facial features, and those with humanoid designs have been known to display a remarkable range of human-like gestures and body language. These features have become more pronounced in the sentient Vassalforged, contributing to the ongoing debates about their rights and status in society.

Behavior and Sentience

Initially, the Vassalforged displayed limited intelligence and autonomy, their behavior largely driven by the instincts of the animal souls within them. However, the emergence of sentient Vassalforged introduced a new level of complexity. These beings exhibit a broad spectrum of personalities, capabilities, and desires, showing an ability to learn and adapt that rivals that of any organic race.

Society

The integration of sentient Vassalforged into Ironspire society has been a contentious issue. Many sentient Vassalforged seek recognition and equality, aspiring to roles beyond the servitude for which they were created. Their push for rights and recognition is a source of ongoing tension, bringing the ethics of their creation and the possibility of a new societal order into the spotlight.

Future of the Vassalforged

The future of the Vassalforged remains uncertain. Their growing self-awareness and autonomy, combined with a potential rise in their population, could lead to significant societal shifts. The ethical implications of their creation and their pursuit of rights are topics of heated debate, and how the city of Ironspire resolves these issues will undoubtedly shape the future of the Vassalforged and the society that created them.