In the modern age, the mannikins are by far the most numerous of all the surviving inanimate phyla. Even by the most conservative Glass Circle estimates, there are several thousand wakeful mannikins in Concordia alone, and perhaps up to 10 times that number in Europa. Less careful investigators put the population figures much higher, with some paranoid types claiming that the plastic people nearly outnumber the living by this point.
Regardless of their exact numbers, the mannikins have managed to infiltrate nearly every aspect of the mundane world. Their exact goals and motivations are unknown, however. The mannikins are firmly on the side of the Kroft and seek to sway the other Inanimae to their way of thinking, that much is known. There are many theories as to their intentions toward the meat world, but they are just that — theories.
Unlike the other Inanimae, mannikins are difficult to stereotype. In many ways they are the most "human" of the phyla, though there is always a noticeable difference. Many mannikins devote much of their time exploring this difference. No matter how hard a mannikin tries, there is always something slightly alien about his appearance and demeanor. This alieness is usually only detectable by mortals on a subconscious level, but it is enough to keep the mannikins from really fitting in, which is what they seem to desire the most.
Appearance: Until recently, mannikin Husks were molded without exception to fit a blandly pleasant scale of human beauty. Typical models are taller than the human average, with both male and female versions tending toward six feet, and are always slim and angular in build. Facial features tend toward an elegant blankness that can be confused with beauty by the naive, but there is still something fascinating about the sight of a mannikin in its natural state. Though the majority of the mannikins do, in fact, take the form of store mannequins, many of their kind inhabit toys and other things with human-like form.
Lifestyle: The sheer numbers of the mannikins have allowed them to spread beyond their original department store dominions, and exist productively among the meat as shopkeepers, scholars, professional escorts, and members of a hundred other occupations.
Affinity: None
Outlook
Glomes — They are too slow… They are best left behind.
Kuberas — These folk show some promise. They have a zest for life unmatched by the rest of the Inanimae.
Ondines — They were not meant to walk on dry ground. Why are they here?
Parosemes — Irresponsible and unreliable.
Solimonds — They are the destroyers, yet they are the makers as well. From fire and destruction come new life.
Kithain — We keep ourselves separate from them for they fear that which they do not understand. They are lost in their medieval paradigm and, therefore, can never understand us.
Birthrights & Frailties
Enigmas of the Inanimae, who are enigmatic to even the strange Kithain, mannikins inhabit things that resemble the form of man. Among the most outgoing Inanimae, the mannikins are the ones most to be found trying to fit in among the meat changelings and mortals, but never quite being able to. Mannikins are almost entirely Krofted, except for some rare ones that inhabit natural formations in human shape. Alone among the Inanimae, mannikins may learn the Arts of the Kithain in addition to the Slivers of the Inanimae. They also understand all of the elemental tongues of the other Inanimae, though they speak none. Mannikins have no Sliver of their own though, and may never completely master any Art or Sliver.
Gender
As with most doll Husks, mannikin bodies are unusual in the Inanimaic world for being naturally predisposed toward mimicking one of the meat genders. These Husks can mimic either of the meat genders, although female models are a substantial majority and a small but increasing number of Husks are being created which mannikin Husks are universally molded to be physically attractive in a blandly generic way.
Quote: Why do you look at me like that? I am a creature of the Dream just like you.