Homunculus: Difference between revisions
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'''Homunculus''' (Latin | {{Infobox type | ||
|type=creature | |||
|stats={{stats|C=1|W=2|U=19|WU=1|GU=1|M=1|A=1}} | |||
{{stats|Homunculus creation|U=1|B=1|A=1|state=collapsed}} | |||
as of ''[[Murders at Karlov Manor]]'' | |||
}} | |||
{{TOCright}} | |||
'''Homunculus''' (<small>Latin:</small> "little person") is a [[blue]] [[creature type]] used for cards that depict artificially made, but sentient and living, miniature [[human]]s. | |||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
These creatures are used for menial or dangerous tasks. Many homunculi just have one cyclopic eye (<c>Oculus</c>, <c>Riddlekeeper</c>).<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/my-name-not…-2014-06-11|My name is NOT…|Bonnie Bruenderman|June 11, 2014}}</ref> | |||
The first creature to bear the type was <c>Bonded Fetch</c> in ''[[Future Sight]]'', though the <c>Sneaky Homunculus</c> from ''[[Nemesis]]'' and the <c>Hazy Homunculus</c> from ''[[Prophecy]]'' were later issued [[errata]] to become | The first creature to bear the type was <c>Bonded Fetch</c> in ''[[Future Sight]]'', though the <c>Sneaky Homunculus</c> from ''[[Nemesis]]'' and the <c>Hazy Homunculus</c> from ''[[Prophecy]]'' were later issued [[errata]] to become Homunculi in addition to their [[Illusion]] type. | ||
=== | ==Storyline== | ||
[[Esper]], one of the five [[Shard]]s of [[Alara]] | ===Alara=== | ||
Blue-skinned homunculi live on [[Esper]], one of the five [[Shard]]s of [[Alara]]. Like all living things on the plane, they are [[artifact creatures]], and in Esper's case, they are magically constructed.<ref name="AlaraGuide">[[Doug Beyer]] & [[Jenna Helland]] (2008). ''[[A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13 978-0786951246</ref> Homunculi are sentient and self-willed, but incapable of defying the demands of their creators. They are used for a myriad of purposes, but most often function as clerks, scribes, and couriers, and as decorative additions to mages' retinues. The [[mage]]s of Esper measure their wealth and status by the number of these creatures in their retinues.<ref><c>Court Homunculus</c></ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/sketches-court-homunculus-2009-03-17|Sketches: Court Homunculus|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 17, 2009}}</ref> | |||
Homunculi vaguely resemble small, "toy" versions of vedalken, which appears to make the vedalken uncomfortable around them.<ref name="AlaraGuide"/> Whether humans intend a deeper symbolism in the homunculi’s appearance {{-}} as an homage to the wise and noble vedalken, or as a hint to some sinister origin of the creatures {{-}} is not known. Though the lives of homunculi aren't considered intrinsically valuable, humans keep them well protected, probably due to the labor and expense of their creation. | |||
===Fiora=== | |||
It isn't known for certain who or what creates the cantankerous, seemingly independent homunculi that can be found around [[Fiora|Paliano]]. (<c>Jeering Homunculus</c>) | |||
===Innistrad=== | ===Innistrad=== | ||
The homunculi of [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] are based on | The homunculi of [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] are based on the hunchbacked assistants of mad scientists or [[vampire]]s in old horror movies (<c>Stitcher's Apprentice</c>). | ||
===Kylem=== | ===Kylem=== | ||
The sentient homunculi of [[Kylem]] are the caretakers of [[Valor's Reach]]. Their most visible role is on the field acting as penalty mages; no foul escapes their watch. Due to their lack of mouths, they use sign language to communicate.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/world-battlebond-2018-06-06|The World of Battlebond|[[Alison Luhrs]]|June 6, 2018}}</ref> | The sentient homunculi of [[Kylem]] are the caretakers of [[Valor's Reach]]. Their most visible role is on the field acting as penalty mages; no foul during play escapes their watch. Due to their lack of mouths, they use sign language (mutually understood by all adults on Kylem) to communicate. [[Zndrsplt]] uses a telepathic link to allow her [[cyclops]] friend [[Okaun]] to speak for her.<ref name=":0">{{DailyRef|feature/world-battlebond-2018-06-06|The World of Battlebond|[[Alison Luhrs]]|June 6, 2018}}</ref> | ||
===Ravnica=== | ===Ravnica=== | ||
The homunculi of [[Ravnica]] are less human-like, and more [[imp]]-like (<c>Doorkeeper</c>, <c>Frilled Oculus</c>). They can't speak | The homunculi of [[Ravnica]] are less human-like, and more [[imp]]-like (<c>Doorkeeper</c>, <c>Frilled Oculus</c>). They can't speak but do communicate with sign language and in written form.<ref name="Ravnica art book">[[James Wyatt]] (January 2019). "''[[The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Ravnica]]''". [[Wizards of the Coast]]</ref> Ravnican homunculi don't have vowels in their names.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=Mark Rosewater|url=https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/749225091716562944|title=May 1st will mark the beginning of my 42nd trip around the sun...|tumblr=Blogatog|date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> | ||
===In other media=== | |||
{{Non-canon}} | |||
In ''[[Magic SpellSlingers]]'', a homunculus announcer and 14-time champion of [[Valor's Reach]] named Vin speaks to the player and the crowd, though he doesn't appear to have a mouth. His communication may be telepathic.<ref>[[Magic SpellSlingers|''Magic SpellSlingers'']] (2022). Wizards of the Coast. Accessed 21 Aug 2022.</ref><ref name=":0" /> | |||
== | ==Tokens== | ||
Tokens marked with {{A}} are created by [[Acorn]] cards. | |||
{{Homunculus tokens|header=y}} | {{Homunculus tokens|header=y}} | ||
==Notable Homunculi== | ==Notable Homunculi== | ||
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em| | |||
;[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] | |||
*<c>Oglor, Devoted Assistant</c> | |||
;[[Kylem]] | |||
*[[Zndrsplt]] | |||
;[[Ravnica]] | |||
*[[Fblthp]] | *[[Fblthp]] | ||
*[[ | |||
;[[Shandalar]] | |||
*[[Zurbit]] | |||
}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{Creature types}} | {{Creature types|Races|Homunculi}} | ||
Latest revision as of 16:56, 24 June 2024
| Homunculus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creature Type | |
| (Subtype for creature/kindred cards) | |
| Statistics |
26 cards
 3.8%  7.7%  73.1%  3.8%  3.8%  3.8%  3.8% 3 Homunculus creation cards
as of Murders at Karlov Manor 33.3%  33.3% 33.3% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| type:"Homunculus" | |
Homunculus (Latin: "little person") is a blue creature type used for cards that depict artificially made, but sentient and living, miniature humans.
Description
These creatures are used for menial or dangerous tasks. Many homunculi just have one cyclopic eye (Oculus, Riddlekeeper).[1]
The first creature to bear the type was Bonded Fetch in Future Sight, though the Sneaky Homunculus from Nemesis and the Hazy Homunculus from Prophecy were later issued errata to become Homunculi in addition to their Illusion type.
Storyline
Alara
Blue-skinned homunculi live on Esper, one of the five Shards of Alara. Like all living things on the plane, they are artifact creatures, and in Esper's case, they are magically constructed.[2] Homunculi are sentient and self-willed, but incapable of defying the demands of their creators. They are used for a myriad of purposes, but most often function as clerks, scribes, and couriers, and as decorative additions to mages' retinues. The mages of Esper measure their wealth and status by the number of these creatures in their retinues.[3][4]
Homunculi vaguely resemble small, "toy" versions of vedalken, which appears to make the vedalken uncomfortable around them.[2] Whether humans intend a deeper symbolism in the homunculi’s appearance — as an homage to the wise and noble vedalken, or as a hint to some sinister origin of the creatures — is not known. Though the lives of homunculi aren't considered intrinsically valuable, humans keep them well protected, probably due to the labor and expense of their creation.
Fiora
It isn't known for certain who or what creates the cantankerous, seemingly independent homunculi that can be found around Paliano. (Jeering Homunculus)
Innistrad
The homunculi of Innistrad are based on the hunchbacked assistants of mad scientists or vampires in old horror movies (Stitcher's Apprentice).
Kylem
The sentient homunculi of Kylem are the caretakers of Valor's Reach. Their most visible role is on the field acting as penalty mages; no foul during play escapes their watch. Due to their lack of mouths, they use sign language (mutually understood by all adults on Kylem) to communicate. Zndrsplt uses a telepathic link to allow her cyclops friend Okaun to speak for her.[5]
Ravnica
The homunculi of Ravnica are less human-like, and more imp-like (Doorkeeper, Frilled Oculus). They can't speak but do communicate with sign language and in written form.[6] Ravnican homunculi don't have vowels in their names.[7]
In other media
 | This article or section discusses story elements that are not canonical. |
In Magic SpellSlingers, a homunculus announcer and 14-time champion of Valor's Reach named Vin speaks to the player and the crowd, though he doesn't appear to have a mouth. His communication may be telepathic.[8][5]
Tokens
Tokens marked with 
are created by Acorn cards.
| Token Name | Color | Type Line | P/T | Text Box | Source | Printings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homunculus | Blue | Artifact Creature — Homunculus | 0/1 | |||
| Blue | Creature — Homunculus | 2/2 | ||||
| Colorless | Creature — Homunculus | 2/2 |
Notable Homunculi
References
- ↑ Bonnie Bruenderman (June 11, 2014). "My name is NOT…". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Doug Beyer & Jenna Helland (2008). A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786951246
- ↑ Court Homunculus
- ↑ Magic Arcana (March 17, 2009). "Sketches: Court Homunculus". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Alison Luhrs (June 6, 2018). "The World of Battlebond". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ James Wyatt (January 2019). "The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Ravnica". Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 30, 2024). "May 1st will mark the beginning of my 42nd trip around the sun...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Magic SpellSlingers (2022). Wizards of the Coast. Accessed 21 Aug 2022.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (October 02, 2008). "Tokens in Action!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
