3,207
edits
Difference between revisions of "Lifeless"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Notable article category no longer used
(+cat +fmt +stub) |
LadyLameness (talk | contribs) (Notable article category no longer used) |
||
| (48 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown) | |||
|
{{magical entities
|magic=[[Awakening]]
|appearance= Gray-toned
|world=Nalthis
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[Warbreaker]]
}}
{{quote
|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]].{{book ref|wb|21}}
}}
'''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}}
When an
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 Thirdly, they can be given further commands, or have their previous commands rescinded, without an infusion of more Breath.
▲When an awakener infuses a skeleton 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.
== Self-Awareness ==
Lifeless are useful due to the fact that they do not feel pain as soldiers and require very little maintenance. 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.▼
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}}
== 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.{{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}}
▲Lifeless are useful soldiers due to the fact that they do not feel pain
== Trivia ==
* 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 ==
<references />
{{partial}}
{{Warbreaker}}
[[category: magic]]
[[category: Awakening]]
[[category: magical entities]]
[[category: weapons]]
[[category: Lifeless| ]]
| |||