clockheart
Clockhearts are not born; rather, they are constructed by other Clockhearts or awakened from inanimate object forms. In addition to a humanoid body, Clockhearts are able to assume their past inanimate forms as well, and project a voice or reflection in their materials as a form of communication.
Despite their inorganic hearts, Clockhearts are not immortal and not inhumane. Depending on the quality of build materials, a clockwork heart may last longer or shorter periods of time, reflecting the durability of its magical materials. Hearts constructed of fine materials such as jewels, fine glass or fabrics, and noble metals typically enjoy the longest lifespans, whereas hearts made of scrap parts, tarnished metals, or natural materials may not live as long. A clockwork heart also responds to environmental stressors, therefore Clockhearts who have experienced great struggle or trauma suffer dramatically reduced life expectancy.
A Clockheart can have an inorganic or organic body, or even a mix of both. Clockhearts with completely inorganic bodies do not require food, drink, or respiration to survive, however they are similarly unable to change much physically, unlike organic-bodied Clockhearts. Curiously, however, all Clockhearts do require sleep to live, and experience dreams exactly as any other race might. Clockhearts must also attend to any repairs their bodies will require over time; a body with mechanical anomalies will burn out their clockwork hearts much quicker. Clockhearts constructed of fine materials only need to repair their parts occasionally, whereas Clockhearts made of poorer materials may need maintenance as frequently as daily.
subclass
artefact
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All Clockhearts are originally granted life through an inanimate, inorganic object that absorbs powerful emotions or events happening around it. These items are called Artefacts, and their pieces are used in the formation or construction of clockwork hearts. An Artefact is the precious item that composes a Clockheart’s inanimate form, which they can assume at will through the use of magic. While existing in their Artefact form, a Clockheart is still able to project a voice, a reflection, a shadow, and a magic aura. They are also capable of remaining aware of what is happening around them, though to the untrained eye they can disguise themselves if desired.
☆ BELOVED
Beloved Clockhearts are those whose hearts were born from powerful positive emotions that granted them life. The origins of a Clockheart soul are culturally considered each to be equal to one another. However, secretly, many believe there is no greater prestige than a Clockheart whose soul is a manifest of a deep love held for it by the organic beings in its past life. Beloved Clockhearts are born of great emotion felt towards or around themselves in inanimate form, and can have both organic or inorganic bodies. The term ‘Beloved’ is not to say that all Beloveds are born from love, however, and the lines between a Beloved and a Heartbroken are actually rather nebulous.
HEARTBROKEN ☆
Heartbroken Clockhearts are those whose hearts were born from powerful negative emotions that granted them life. There is a common misconception that Clockhearts awakened Heartbroken are bound to emotions that existed for bad reasons, but this would be incorrect; most Clockhearts contend that emotions are made of contrasts, not unlike the perception of warmth and cold. Without sadness, we could perhaps never understand happiness. Grief, anger, confusion, and fear are feelings as necessary in their own right as those of brighter sensations. Heartbroken Clockhearts can be awakened organic, inorganic, or as a mix of both just as Beloved Clockhearts can.
☆ BREATHLESS
Breathless Clockhearts are those whose bodies are entirely inorganic, and therefore free of the usual ravages of age or needs for food and drink. It is popularly thought that a clockwork heart awakens into a Breathless body when the emotions that gave it life were felt very coldly, distantly, or dispassionately. However, it may be more accurate to believe that Clockhearts awaken Breathless when the emotions that imbue them are those of timeless, ageless value—these Clockhearts were given life from feelings that remain ever undying, even if their originator has passed on.
BLUSHING ☆
Blushing Clockhearts are those awakened from powerful, intense, vibrant feelings held strongly and often fleetingly. A Clockheart awakened into a Blushing body is fully organic save for their clockwork heart, which carries within it very close, very deep emotions. Whether the Clockheart themselves understands or shares these emotions is highly dependent on the individual, but they are most often defined by an all-encompassing, flashbulb explosion of feeling and magic. Blushing Clockhearts, like any other fully organic Clockhearts, require food, drink, and air, and can even show signs of aging.
