Simulacrums are monsters made from other people’s or creatures’ body parts. A scientist or spellcaster will assemble them, then use science or magick to bring them to life. Frankenstein’s monster would be a perfect example. Get more after the jump.

How Simulacrums Are Made

These guys (girls or something in-between) can appear in a gruesome way. They’re re-animated parts. Those parts could be body parts, monster parts or cyborg parts. The creator grabs different parts, assembles them, and uses science, technology or magick to bring them to life.

But it comes with a catch.

You’d think the head would be the part in charge of its conscience. It’s not. The reasoning and feelings that made the original so unique or lovable is gone. When it’s re-animated, the brain may have turned on, but the monster operates from instinct. That’s if it’s made with science and technology.

It’s a bit different with magick as we’ll find out below.

Science & Technology

Simulacrums made through science resemble Frankenstein’s monster. The scientist tests the different body parts to see if they match, like an organ transplant. Then, they’ll use different biochemicals and immune suppressants to make sure the creation doesn’t reject its other bits.

Sometimes, the scientist will use cybernetic parts. These lower the risks of rejection and improves the functioning from the brain and nervous system. It takes a bit more programming to work, but technology helps speed the creation process.

Once the simulacrum’s assembled, a power source is needed to bring it to life. Life is subjective here. That power source could be a massive electrical surge that kickstarts the heart and gets the blood flowing. It could be a small nuclear device.

Whatever the power source, it has to be big: It takes a lot to revive separate parts and keep the creation going. Many simulacrum experiments have ended with an explosion.

Magick

Magick creates some nasty simulacrums. First, the spellcaster needs a ritual and sacrifice to start the creature. And I do use the term creature because the monster that comes from black magick will be up to no good.

Essentially, the spell pulls in an entity from the dark side of the cosmos. It’s not from our plane whatsoever. This spirit enters the body parts to power it. That gives it all sorts of different abilities than the parts suggest. For example, the magick-infused simulacrum may be able to re-assemble itself if blown apart.

Most magick-based simulacrums are created as shock troops for the spellcaster. They’re not meant to last long. It’s find someone, kill someone, and die.

Abilities And Weaknesses

Due to the variety of simulacrums, the list of powers and abilities will vary. Here are some special abilities that most share:

• Endurance (they can go all day without rest)
• Strength (most can lift cars or bend jail cell bars)
• Tough body (they can withstand hand gun fire or more)
• Retain former abilities from parts (so a lion-like paw will have its claws)

Every simulacrum has similar weaknesses, too. Magickal ones may not have everyone, but they’re the oddities for simulacrums. You can expect most to share these weaknesses:

• Not all parts work as well as the original’s
• Some parts may turn on the creature and it attacks itself
• They can run out of power
• It may not re-assemble if blown apart
• They’re dim-witted creatures unless they have a computer brain
• Simulacrums are loyal to their creators, no matter how mean the creator is
• Sometimes, they just explode from an imbalance in their energy source

What To Do If You Meet A Simulacrum

If it’s a magick-based simulacrum, skidaddle as fast as possible. They won’t stop until they catch and kill you.

For a science- or technology-created simulcarum, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. Unless you are trying to hurt it or its creator. If the creature fears you, then it may attack. These monsters are about as smart as a German Shepherd Dog, so it only understands primitive commands.

As for one with a computer brain, it can outsmart you. If you’re not the target, it may only attack if you get in its way.

Whatever, I’d head to the hills and get far away.

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Trivia: You can use either simulacrums or simulacra as the plural form.

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