Construct

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. (Science’s usual definition of a living creature is that it’s 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 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 One’s continuing hatred of life and the living, and Its desire to mock them and 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 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 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.

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