A categorization of various beings that would not technically be considered 'races' by strict definition, but for the sake of simplicity will be treated as such in this guide.
There are two main conditions for one to be considered an automaton - first, they are not naturally 'born' like organic creatures, but rather built or constructed through some means by the hands of man. A typical automaton will be composed in part or whole of inorganic material, though this is not always the case. Second, though able to move and appear 'alive', their actions are driven by some means of outside control.
While the term tends to bring to mind images of machines and robots specifically in the modern world, an automaton does not need to be composed of metal or computer parts. They may be operated via scientific or mechanical means as well as arcane ones, controlled directly or remotely, or instilled with a form of 'artificial intelligence' that allows them to self-operate - however, at its core, an automaton has no natural soul and thus is not considered 'alive'. Debates continue to this day over what measures the gap between an AI and a living soul, and whether these automata are capable of developing true emotion.
