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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|56}}
 
When an Awakener infuses a skeleton or corpse of a living beingcorpse (preferably a human) with a [[Breath]], as well as with a specific mixture of alcohol, [[ichor-alcohol]], that creature thenit 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 awakenedAwakened 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 Thirdly, they can be given further commands, or have their previous commands rescinded, without an infusion of more Breath.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.
 
== Self-Awareness ==
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.
 
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.{{17s ref|post|115245|Dayton Signing|date=2014-03-19}} Nonetheless, Lifeless retain a certain amount of self-awareness after their Awakening, although the implications of this are as yet unexplored.{{annotation ref|book=wb|chapter=47}} The Lifeless known as [[Clod]] seems to help [[Vivenna]] beyond his commands on multiple occasions.
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.▼
 
== Maintenance ==
The soul of a lifeless is so drained 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.{{17s ref|post|115245|Dayton Signing|date=2014-03-19}}
 
A Lifeless will remain animate, and therefore useful, for 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. The more damaged a Lifeless is, the less it resembles a living thing, making it more difficult for Breath to keep it running as a Lifeless.{{annotation ref|book=wb|chapter=33}}
 
▲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,. thusThis makingmakes it exceedingly economical to reuse one'sthe dead soldiers in one's army as lifelessLifeless, thusas doing so savingsaves money on training costs as well as upkeep.
 
== Notes ==
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