soulKIN

Soulkin are a much-debated Kindred in Raimdelle's taxonomy. Where Forgekin are given the semblance of life by mechanical means, but not true life, and Elementals are creatures whose nature is pure aether, Soulkin occupy the middle ground: beings of aetheric life (or a reasonable facsimile) bounden to a mechanical or otherwise constructed form.

In most estimations, "Soulkin" boils down to one core trait: animation of a corporeal form by aetheric, rather than biological or mechanical means. Thus, it encompasses not just the majestic marble golems of Amdapor and mammets of Sharlayan and Ul'dah, but also such creatures as coblyns and spriggans. (1)

In other estimations, however, "Soulkin" boils down to a poorly-defined category into which creatures were sorted without too much inspection. It remains to be seen whose assumptions about soulkin are correct, and whether the Kindred must be re-evaluated and replaced with something more accurate. (2)

(1) Encyclopaedia Eorzea Vol. 3, p. 269
(2) Encyclopaedia Eorzea Vol. 1, p. 293

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phoebad

living rock

coblyn

spriggan