Crafting a Champion

For most, the Afterlife is a one way trip; once you set foot there, you can never return. This is true of all living things, but clever Alchemists have found a way to exert their control without the hassle of death. Zosimos himself was the first to learn how to craft a homunculus, but he is most certainly not the last. As creatures neither living nor dead, homunculi are able to carry out any commands given to them. This makes them invaluable tools in the struggle to claim the Afterlife.

A homunculus is formed of three core Essences: Alchemist, Ego, and Elemental. Once each of these components has been chosen, they are combined in a mold to create the fully functional homunculus. These molds can grant a variety of shapes, but most often resemble humans for the versatility such a form grants.
[caption id="attachment_180" align="alignnone" width="1280"] First given to Zosimos of Panopolis, the art of homunculus creation has been passed down ever since.[/caption]
Elemental Essences form the core body material of a homunculus, and serve as the medium to which the other two Essences are bound; as such they primarily grant Body Dice. Most homunculi are formed of elemental matter, and it is these Essences that new students first learn to wield. It is rumored that Zosimos could use Elemental Essences formed of more than one element or even the essence of an entire Realm, but this knowledge has since been forgotten.

Alchemist Essences are required to grant sufficient intelligence to a homunculus to perform complex tasks, thus being the largest source of Mind Dice. They are imprints of the minds of great Alchemists past[link to Albertus Magnus post], which grants the homunculus the necessary knowledge to summon Minions, create Ambushes, and cast Spells- all necessary skills in the struggle for the Afterlife.
[caption id="attachment_182" align="alignnone" width="1365"] With an Alchemy Lab, it is a simple task to assemble whatever type of homunculus you require.[/caption]
Ego Essences bind the other two together, and grant the power needed for the homunculus to cast Spells and exert control over their Minions. Being the binding energy, they also provide Soul Dice. They are formed by channeling specific aspects of the souls of powerful individuals throughout history. They can even grant homunculi the semblance of a personality, but it is important to note that these Essences are mere echoes, and not true sentience. Depending on which aspect is being used, the effects on the homunculus can change dramatically, even when using the same soul’s energy.

With these three Essences properly combined, a homunculus is formed. As you can imagine, the capabilities of this homunculus vary considerably depending on which Essence is used. It is for this reason that Alchemists must choose their Essences with care, as the strategy their homunculus allows can be the difference between victory and defeat.