Homunculus

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 33.3% 33.3% 33.3% as of Murders at Karlov Manor
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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).

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. 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.

Homunculi vaguely resemble small, "toy" versions of vedalken, which appears to make the vedalken uncomfortable around them. 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.

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. Ravnican homunculi don't have vowels in their names.

In other media

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.

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		Puppet Conjurer
	Blue	Creature — Homunculus	2/2		Stitcher's Apprentice
	Colorless	Creature — Homunculus	2/2		Handy Dandy Clone Machine

Notable Homunculi

Innistrad

• Oglor, Devoted Assistant

Kylem

• Zndrsplt

Ravnica

• Fblthp

Shandalar

• Zurbit