Homunculus

A homunculus (plural homunculi) is an artificial monster, created by alchemy. Along with the Buso Renkin, it was one of the only pursuits of alchemy that ever succeded, a byproduct of research on artificial life. Homunculi often transform into humans - at least in appearance - but in reality, they are bioalchemical machines which sustain themselves almost exclusively by eating humans.

Physiology

Creation

A homunculus is created by taking cells from a living thing, and developing them through a series of complex alchemical processes into a homunculus embryo. The embryo is tiny, generally only one to five inches across and looking something like an armored shrimp. The embryo must stay in a special alchemic fluid, kept at a constant temperature in an incubator while it develops, which can take weeks. Once the embryo is fully developed, it must be introduced to a human body and be allowed to burrow into the brain. Even if introduced to the body far from the brain, it will spread toward the brain gradually (as shown with Tokiko, whose embryo took a week to enter her brain). Once the embryo enters the brain, it begins to take over, morphing the host's body into a homunculus form.

Types

There are two general types of homunculi: animal-type and humanoid. Animal-type homuculi are made from the base cells of animals. They transform between humans and biomechanical versions of the original animal, fighting instinctively with whatever weapons the form possesses. Humanoid homunculi are made from the cells of the same human who becomes the host, thus leaving the human's mind intact through the transformation. These homunuli's forms don't drastically change, but they gain incredible strength, stamina, and agility, along with a near-invincible homunculus body. In addition, because the human instinct is still intact, they are able to wield kakugane as Buso Renkin.

This particular mark actually belongs to a human, Shusui, a disciple of the homunculi.

Stamina

A homunculus's body is infused with alchemic energy, rendering it invincible to all types of mundane weaponry. Only other alchemical matter can damage it - meaning, other homunculi and Buso Renkin. Even damage these things inflict is steadily regenerated. The only way to kill a hoomuculus is to destroy its emblem mark, a small mark on the homunculus's body resembling two overlapping teardrop shapes. In animal-type homuculi, the emblem mark is generally located on the forehead, while humanoid homunculi have it on their chest.

Known Homunculi

• L.X.E.
• Homunculus Mita
• Homunculus Saruwatari
• Homunculus Washio
• Homunculus Hanafusa
• Homunculus ??? (Surinam toad)
• Papillon
• Moonface
• Homunculus Jinnai
• Homunculus Tai
• Homunculus Shi
• Homunculus Kinjo