Construct - Revision history

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2021-01-30T09:44:42Z

6 revisions imported

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2021-01-30T09:21:14Z

1 revision imported

newimport>DianeDuane at 10:49, 22 April 2008

2008-04-22T10:49:33Z

Import>DianeDuane at 10:49, 22 April 2008

2008-04-22T10:49:33Z

newimport>DianeDuane at 10:41, 22 April 2008

2008-04-22T10:41:10Z

newimport>DianeDuane at 10:39, 22 April 2008

2008-04-22T10:39:17Z

newimport>DianeDuane at 09:29, 10 June 2006

2006-06-10T09:29:02Z

newimport>DianeDuane at 14:52, 8 June 2006

2006-06-08T14:52:28Z

newimport>DianeDuane at 14:50, 8 June 2006

2006-06-08T14:50:09Z

New page

Not so much a creature as a device: something built to mimic or closely reproduce the effect of being a living creature, while not actually being alive in any of the normal senses. (Scienceâs usual definition of a living creature is that itâs able to eat, grow, and reproduce itself; while constructs may consume energy if built to do so, and may exhibit the appearance of growth, they cannot reproduce themselves. The wizardly definition of life also normally implies the presence of a [[kernel]] or soul; constructs definitely lack these.)

Constructs are so often used by the [[Lone Power]] as assistants that It is routinely associated with them. However, the association should not be taken for granted. Various wizards over time have used or been involved with constructs: in particular, the [[Golem]] invented by the famous rabbi-wizard [[Eliezar]] has given its name to a whole class of constructs of a specific type, quiescent until being animated by a specific word in the Speech. However, the Lone Oneâs continuing hatred of life and the living, and Its desire to mock them and the [[One, the | the One]], mean that constructs which are misbehaving or doing active harm are usually Its work . While imitation may be thought to be the sincerest form of flattery among some living beings, where constructs and the Lone Power are concerned, the mimicry is noticeably hostile.

A construct is normally assembled from physical matter in some specific shape, and then a word, [[concept phrase]] or sentence in the Speech is used to animate it. Some constructs, such as [[origami basilisk | origami basilisks]], are fairly simple in concept and execution: some, such as [[perytons]], are more involved, using degraded or deranged human souls as their operating systems. These are capable of more advanced response to stimulus, but are no more alive than their simpler brethren. Additionally, construct status normally deprives the matter involved in its structure of even the minor sentience experienced by what science would consider inanimate objects.

Some constructs, like the [[Fire hydrant | fire hydrant]] in [[SYWTBAW]], are built to destroy life forms automatically: while completely programmed, they are still complex enough to manifest something that looks like autonomous response: but again this is a seeming and not genuine spontaneity.

{{stub}}

(see also: [[Ghost]], [[Inhabition]], [[Inanimate object]], [[Lifewords]], [[Price of wizardry]])

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 However, many wizards avoid using constructs at all because of their traditional association with the [[Lone Power]], which prefers to use constructs rather than living things as assistants, minions and slaves. This preference is probably due to the tendency of the genuinely living, no matter how thoroughly corrupted, to unpredictably exhibit such distasteful characteristics as free will.  Additionally, the Lone One's continuing disdain for living beings, and Its desire to hurt the [[One, the | the One]] by mocking the Life in which the One indwells, combine to make constructs the Lone One's preferred tool. Imitation may be thought to be the sincerest form of flattery among some species, but where constructs and the Lone Power are concerned, the mimicry is noticeably hostile.
-Whoever is doing the building, a construct is normally assembled from physical matter in some specific shape, and then a word, [[concept phrase]] or sentence in the Speech is used to animate it. Some constructs, such as [[origami basilisk | origami basilisks]], are fairly simple in concept and execution:  others are more involved, sometimes even using the life force of living beings to power their operating systems.  These "hybrid" constructs are capable of more advanced response to stimuli, but are no more genuinely alive than their simpler brethren. Additionally, construct status normally deprives the matter involved in its structure of even the minor sentience experienced by what science would consider inanimate objects. This is another reason most wizards avoid or dislike working with constructs, since the basic philosophy of wizardry emphatically prefers persuasion over compulsion.
+Whoever is doing the building, a construct is normally assembled from physical matter in some specific shape, and then a word, [[concept phrase]] or sentence in the Speech is used to animate it. Some constructs, such as [[origami basilisk | origami basilisks]], are fairly simple in concept and execution:  others are more involved, sometimes even using the life force of living beings to power their operating systems.  These "hybrid" constructs are capable of more advanced response to stimuli, but are no more genuinely alive than their simpler brethren. Additionally, construct status normally deprives the matter involved in its structure of even the minor sentience experienced by what science would consider inanimate objects. This is another reason most wizards avoid or dislike working with constructs, since the basic philosophy of wizardry emphatically prefers persuasion over compulsion -- and by the time a construct has been assembled, any sentience inhering in the matter has been lost, and there is no longer anything capable of being persuaded.
 Some constructs, like the [[Fire hydrant | fire hydrant]] in [[SYWTBAW]], are built to destroy life forms automatically: while completely programmed, they are still complex enough to manifest something that looks like autonomous response. However, this is only a seeming, not genuine spontaneity.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 Various wizards over time have used or been involved with constructs. In particular, the [[Golem]] -- initially created by the wizard and Talmudic codifier [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raba_%28Talmud%29 Raba], and used by later wizard-rabbis such as the famous [[Judah Loew ben Bezalel]] -- has given its name to a whole class of constructs of a specific type, quiescent until being animated by a specific word in the Speech.
-However, many wizards prefer to avoid using constructs at all because of their traditional association with the [[Lone Power]], which prefers to use constructs rather than living things as assistants, minions and slaves. This preference is probably due to the tendency of the genuinely living, no matter how thoroughly corrupted, to unpredictably exhibit such distasteful characteristics as free will.  Additionally, the Lone One's continuing disdain for living beings, and Its desire to hurt the [[One, the | the One]] by mocking the Life in which the One indwells, combine to make constructs the Lone One's preferred tool. Imitation may be thought to be the sincerest form of flattery among some species, but where constructs and the Lone Power are concerned, the mimicry is noticeably hostile.
+However, many wizards avoid using constructs at all because of their traditional association with the [[Lone Power]], which prefers to use constructs rather than living things as assistants, minions and slaves. This preference is probably due to the tendency of the genuinely living, no matter how thoroughly corrupted, to unpredictably exhibit such distasteful characteristics as free will.  Additionally, the Lone One's continuing disdain for living beings, and Its desire to hurt the [[One, the | the One]] by mocking the Life in which the One indwells, combine to make constructs the Lone One's preferred tool. Imitation may be thought to be the sincerest form of flattery among some species, but where constructs and the Lone Power are concerned, the mimicry is noticeably hostile.
 Whoever is doing the building, a construct is normally assembled from physical matter in some specific shape, and then a word, [[concept phrase]] or sentence in the Speech is used to animate it. Some constructs, such as [[origami basilisk | origami basilisks]], are fairly simple in concept and execution:  others are more involved, sometimes even using the life force of living beings to power their operating systems.  These "hybrid" constructs are capable of more advanced response to stimuli, but are no more genuinely alive than their simpler brethren. Additionally, construct status normally deprives the matter involved in its structure of even the minor sentience experienced by what science would consider inanimate objects. This is another reason most wizards avoid or dislike working with constructs, since the basic philosophy of wizardry emphatically prefers persuasion over compulsion.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Not so much a creature as a device:  something built to mimic or closely reproduce the effect of being a living creature, while not actually being alive in any of the normal senses. (Scienceâs usual definition of a living creature is that itâs able to eat, grow, and reproduce itself;  while constructs may consume energy if built to do so, and may exhibit the appearance of growth, they cannot reproduce themselves. The wizardly definition of life also normally implies the presence of a [[kernel]] or soul;  constructs definitely lack these.)
-Constructs are so often used by the [[Lone Power]] as assistants that It is routinely  associated with them. However, the association should not be taken for granted. Various wizards over time have used or been involved with constructs. In particular, the [[Golem]] -- initially created by the wizard and Talmudic codifier [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raba_%28Talmud%29 Raba], and used by later wizard-rabbis such as the famous [[Judah Loew ben Bezalel]] -- has given its name to a whole class of constructs of a specific type, quiescent until being animated by a specific word in the Speech.  However, the Lone Oneâs continuing hatred of life and the living, and Its desire to mock them and the [[One, the | the One]], mean that constructs which are misbehaving or doing active harm are usually Its work. While imitation may be thought to be the sincerest form of flattery among some living beings, where constructs and the Lone Power are concerned, the mimicry is noticeably hostile.
+Various wizards over time have used or been involved with constructs. In particular, the [[Golem]] -- initially created by the wizard and Talmudic codifier [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raba_%28Talmud%29 Raba], and used by later wizard-rabbis such as the famous [[Judah Loew ben Bezalel]] -- has given its name to a whole class of constructs of a specific type, quiescent until being animated by a specific word in the Speech.
-A construct is normally assembled from physical matter in some specific shape, and then a word, [[concept phrase]] or sentence in the Speech is used to animate it. Some constructs, such as [[origami basilisk | origami basilisks]], are fairly simple in concept and execution:  others are more involved, even using the life force of living beings to power their operating systems.  These "hybrid" constructs are capable of more advanced response to stimulus, but are no more alive than their simpler brethren. Additionally, construct status normally deprives the matter involved in its structure of even the minor sentience experienced by what science would consider inanimate objects.
+However, many wizards prefer to avoid using constructs at all because of their traditional association with the [[Lone Power]], which prefers to use constructs rather than living things as assistants, minions and slaves. This preference is probably due to the tendency of the genuinely living, no matter how thoroughly corrupted, to unpredictably exhibit such distasteful characteristics as free will.  Additionally, the Lone One's continuing disdain for living beings, and Its desire to hurt the [[One, the | the One]] by mocking the Life in which the One indwells, combine to make constructs the Lone One's preferred tool. Imitation may be thought to be the sincerest form of flattery among some species, but where constructs and the Lone Power are concerned, the mimicry is noticeably hostile.
 Some constructs, like the [[Fire hydrant | fire hydrant]] in [[SYWTBAW]], are built to destroy life forms automatically: while completely programmed, they are still complex enough to manifest something that looks like autonomous response. However, this is only a seeming, not genuine spontaneity.

← Older revision	Revision as of 09:44, 30 January 2021
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← Older revision	Revision as of 09:21, 30 January 2021
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← Older revision	Revision as of 10:49, 22 April 2008
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@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 Constructs are so often used by the [[Lone Power]] as assistants that It is routinely  associated with them. However, the association should not be taken for granted. Various wizards over time have used or been involved with constructs:  in particular, the [[Golem]] invented by the famous rabbi-wizard [[Eliezar]] has given its name to a whole class of constructs of a specific type, quiescent until being animated by a specific word in the Speech.  However, the Lone Oneâs continuing hatred of life and the living, and Its desire to mock them and the [[One, the | the One]], mean that constructs which are misbehaving or doing active harm are usually Its work . While imitation may be thought to be the sincerest form of flattery among some living beings, where constructs and the Lone Power are concerned, the mimicry is noticeably hostile.
-A construct is normally assembled from physical matter in some specific shape, and then a word, [[concept phrase]] or sentence in the Speech is used to animate it. Some constructs, such as [[origami basilisk | origami basilisks]], are fairly simple in concept and execution:  some, such as [[perytons]], are more involved, using degraded or deranged human souls as their operating systems.  These are capable of more advanced response to stimulus, but are no more alive than their simpler brethren. Additionally, construct status normally deprives the matter involved in its structure of even the minor sentience experienced by what science would consider inanimate objects.
+A construct is normally assembled from physical matter in some specific shape, and then a word, [[concept phrase]] or sentence in the Speech is used to animate it. Some constructs, such as [[origami basilisk | origami basilisks]], are fairly simple in concept and execution:  others are more involved, even using the life force of living beings to power their operating systems.  These "hybrid" constructs are capable of more advanced response to stimulus, but are no more alive than their simpler brethren. Additionally, construct status normally deprives the matter involved in its structure of even the minor sentience experienced by what science would consider inanimate objects.
 Some constructs, like the [[Fire hydrant | fire hydrant]] in [[SYWTBAW]], are built to destroy life forms automatically: while completely programmed, they are still complex enough to manifest something that looks like autonomous response: but again this is a seeming and not genuine spontaneity.