False Physiology

The power to have an apparent physiology which is just a facade. The result of Object Manipulation, Possession, or Spirit Sealing combined with either Object Sealing or Illusion Sealing. Not to be confused with Non-Physiology.

Capabilities[]

The user's apparent physiology is not its true physiology but instead a form of Object or Elemental Mimicry. Similar to Defunct Physiology, the user derives no physical weakness from their body. The body never needs breath, food, rest, nor other sustenance. They do not feel pain and cannot be poisoned or get ill. Often, the users are formed from inorganic matter (such as stone, metal or etc.) or animated flesh, bone, wood or other formerly living matter. A false physiology is not capable of reproducing, and it is rare for a false physiology to have any innate self-healing or regeneration capability (though it may be capable of mechanically re-attaching body parts through sewing, bolting, welding, gluing, etc.). False physiologies come in several types.

Externally Animated Objects are the result of magical or technological object animation. Lacking the ability of independent thought, they are neither sapient nor sentient. They lack a soul and may be unable to speak. To an unaware observer, externally animated objects may appear to be living, independant actors. However, unlike other false physiologies, externally animated objects are not the form of a power user. Instead, they are things; things that users can create and/or control. The simplest versions are like puppets which the user must control through every move and step. More complex versions are able to follow orders like an automaton. Skeletons and corpses may be manipulated in the form of externally animated objects, but in such circumstances, these are simply reanimated dead and not undead. The Golem is a common variation of this false physiology.

Possessed Objects are the result of biological, supernatural, or technological object possession. While often associated with demons, spirits, and transcendent beings, possession can also be achieved by a hive mind of nanorobots or microorganisms. Possessed objects are independent actors controlled by the possessing sentient intelligence that is within, and that intelligence is able to leverage powers and abilities of the possessed object. Destruction of the possessed object will likely also destroy the possessing biological or technological possessor(s) but will likely only result in the ejection of a supernatural power. Some users may be capable of creating a lifeless body to subsequently possess. A genius loci is a common spiritual variation of this false physiology, while some types of zombie are associated with a body possessed by a parasite.

Spiritually Bound Objects are the result of soul and object sealing causing a spirit to be bound to an object. Most of the undead are the result of a ghost being bound to the corpse or skeleton of its former self. Many types of ghosts are innately bound to their former bodies, such as the case with liches and Wights. In other cases, powerful necromancers and deities may recall souls, even from the land of the dead, and re-bind them former bodies. An army of spiritually bound skeletons is substantially more dangerous than an army of reanimated skeletons as each fighter regains some sapience from its former self. But it is not just ghosts that can be spiritually bound false physiologies. With the right magic, the soul of any living being can be bound to an object and cause that object to become animated. Just as was the case with possessed objects, a user who is spiritually bound to an object is able to leverage powers and abilities of the object.

Spiritually Bound Illusions are the result of Soul Sealing and Illusion Sealing, causing a spirit to be bound to an illusion. When this false physiology is visible only to one person, it may be imaginary.