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Difference between revisions of "Lifeless"

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{{magical entities
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The '''Lifeless''' are a specific type of awakened creature from [[Warbreaker]].
 
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|magic=[[Awakening]]
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|appearance= Gray-toned
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|world=Nalthis
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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
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|books=[[Warbreaker]]
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}}
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{{quote
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|Awaken to my Breath, serve my needs, live at my Command and at my word. <Security phrase>.
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|The [[Command]] by which Lifeless can be created with a single [[BioChromatic Breath]].{{book ref|wb|21}}
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}}
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'''Lifeless''' are a type of magical entity originating on the [[shardworld]] [[Nalthis]], created by [[Awakening]]. They are classified as Type Two Biochromatic Entities: Mindless Manifestations in a Deceased Host.{{book ref|wb|46}}
   
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When an Awakener infuses a skeleton or corpse of a living being (preferably a human) with a [[Breath]], as well as with a specific mixture of alcohol, that creature then becomes animate without becoming fully alive. This creature is then able to follow specific commands much like any other Awakened creation.
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When an Awakener infuses a skeleton or a corpse (preferably human) with a [[Breath]], it becomes animate without becoming fully alive. This creature is then able to follow specific commands much like any other Awakened creation.
   
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However, Lifeless differ from other awakened objects in several ways. Firstly, the Breath used to animate them cannot be reclaimed by the Awakener. Secondly, they are much more flexible and intelligent in obeying orders; in universe, this is ascribed to the fact that they have a brain and are therefore less reliant on the cognitive impulse from the awakener to determine their actions. Thirdly, they can be given further commands, or have their previous commands rescinded, without an infusion of more Breath. A Lifeless will remain animate, and therefore useful, for as long as the body remains in good condition.
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However, Lifeless differ from other Awakened objects in several ways. Firstly, the Breath used to animate them cannot be reclaimed by the Awakener. Secondly, they are much more flexible and intelligent in obeying orders; this is ascribed to the fact that they have a brain and are therefore less reliant on the cognitive impulse from the Awakener to determine their actions. Thirdly, they can be given further commands, or have their previous commands rescinded, without an infusion of more Breath.
   
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== Self-Awareness ==
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There are also hints in the books that Lifeless may not be completely without awareness or agency. The Lifeless known as [[Clod]] seems to help [[Vivenna]] beyond his commands on multiple occasions. It is confirmed in the Annotations that the Lifeless do retain a certain amount of self-awareness after their awakening, although the implications of this are as yet unexplored.
  
   
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The soul of a Lifeless is so diminished that, while it is possible to make a [[Hemalurgy|Hemalurgic spike]] from one, you could only get the barest hint of a charge, producing a very weak spike.{{wob ref|2876}} Nonetheless, Lifeless retain a certain amount of self-awareness after their Awakening, although the implications of this are as yet unexplored.{{wob ref|7359}} The Lifeless known as [[Clod]] seems to help [[Vivenna]] beyond his commands on multiple occasions.{{book ref|wb|31}}
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Lifeless are useful due to the fact that they do not feel pain as soldiers and require very little maintenance and no food. Furthermore, the Lifeless retains a measure of the skill that it possessed when alive, thus making it exceedingly economical to reuse one's dead soldiers as lifeless, thus saving money on training costs as well as upkeep.
  
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== Maintenance ==
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A Lifeless will remain animate and useful for several years as long as the body remains in good condition. This period of usefulness may be extended by injecting [[ichor-alcohol]] into the blood vessels of the Lifeless.{{book ref|wb|46}} Physical damage to a Lifeless may be repaired to an extent; lacerations may be sewn shut, damaged muscles replaced.{{book ref|wb|33}} Yet in time the accumulated modifications lessen its resemblance to a living thing, making it more difficult for Breath to keep it functioning as intended.{{wob ref|6975}}
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Lifeless are useful soldiers due to the fact that they do not feel pain and require very little maintenance and no food. Furthermore, the Lifeless retains a measure of the skill that it possessed when alive.{{book ref|wb|33}} This makes it exceedingly economical to reuse the dead soldiers in one's army as Lifeless, as doing so saves money on training costs as well as upkeep.
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== Trivia ==
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* Around the time he wrote ''Warbreaker'', [[Brandon Sanderson|Brandon]] has hoping to include a Lifeless viewpoint character in the [[Nightblood (book)|''Warbreaker'' sequel]];{{wob ref|7359}} it is unknown whether or not this is still the case.
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
 
<references />
  
<references />
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{{stub}}
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{{partial}}
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{{warbreaker}}
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{{Warbreaker}}
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[[category: magic]]
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[[Category:Magic]][[Category:Awakening]][[Category:Races and Creatures]][[Category:Weapon]]
  
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[[category: Awakening]]
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[[category: magical entities]]
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[[category: weapons]]
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[[category: Lifeless| ]]

Revision as of 09:32, 15 April 2020

Lifeless
World of Origin Nalthis
Universe Cosmere

“Awaken to my Breath, serve my needs, live at my Command and at my word. <Security phrase>. ”

—The Command by which Lifeless can be created with a single BioChromatic Breath.[1]

Lifeless are a type of magical entity originating on the shardworld Nalthis, created by Awakening. They are classified as Type Two Biochromatic Entities: Mindless Manifestations in a Deceased Host.[2]

When an Awakener infuses a skeleton or a corpse (preferably human) with a Breath, it becomes animate without becoming fully alive. This creature is then able to follow specific commands much like any other Awakened creation.

However, Lifeless differ from other Awakened objects in several ways. Firstly, the Breath used to animate them cannot be reclaimed by the Awakener. Secondly, they are much more flexible and intelligent in obeying orders; this is ascribed to the fact that they have a brain and are therefore less reliant on the cognitive impulse from the Awakener to determine their actions. Thirdly, they can be given further commands, or have their previous commands rescinded, without an infusion of more Breath.

Self-Awareness

The soul of a Lifeless is so diminished that, while it is possible to make a Hemalurgic spike from one, you could only get the barest hint of a charge, producing a very weak spike.[3] Nonetheless, Lifeless retain a certain amount of self-awareness after their Awakening, although the implications of this are as yet unexplored.[4] The Lifeless known as Clod seems to help Vivenna beyond his commands on multiple occasions.[5]

Maintenance

A Lifeless will remain animate and useful for several years as long as the body remains in good condition. This period of usefulness may be extended by injecting ichor-alcohol into the blood vessels of the Lifeless.[2] Physical damage to a Lifeless may be repaired to an extent; lacerations may be sewn shut, damaged muscles replaced.[6] Yet in time the accumulated modifications lessen its resemblance to a living thing, making it more difficult for Breath to keep it functioning as intended.[7]

Lifeless are useful soldiers due to the fact that they do not feel pain and require very little maintenance and no food. Furthermore, the Lifeless retains a measure of the skill that it possessed when alive.[6] This makes it exceedingly economical to reuse the dead soldiers in one's army as Lifeless, as doing so saves money on training costs as well as upkeep.

Trivia

  • Around the time he wrote Warbreaker, Brandon has hoping to include a Lifeless viewpoint character in the Warbreaker sequel;[4] it is unknown whether or not this is still the case.

Notes

  1. ↑ Warbreaker chapter 21#
  2. ↑ a b Warbreaker chapter 46#
  3. ↑ Words of Radiance Dayton signing
    — Arcanum - 2014-03-19#
  4. ↑ a b Warbreaker Annotations
    — Arcanum - 2011-03-21#
  5. ↑ Warbreaker chapter 31#
  6. ↑ a b Warbreaker chapter 33#
  7. ↑ Warbreaker Annotations
    — Arcanum - 2010-12-09#
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