Through joint study of magic with the Humans, the Dwarves were able to create humanoid machines powered by magic. These machines were rudimentary at first, but through study of an ancient artifact called an orb of power, they were able to introduce the crystal sphere to the blueprint, which allowed for sentient mechanical beings. The birth of each Cog is completed when the parents cast a Ritual on the body. The Ritual has been lost to all except the Cog born to it, and they are forbidden to share the knowledge with others.

The Dwarves, Humans, and other species who bought these machines initially treated the Cog as property. Even the early Cog themselves did not initially realize they were sentient beings. Several incidents occurred during the time of confusion until the Cog openly rebelled against their owners. The conflict eared them recognition as people by the other species.

Although they are mechanical, and despite the words of the ignorant, Cog are fully capable of emotions and desires. Due to their nature as a crafted being, they have no family ties. They value accomplishments and pride themselves on completed tasks. Their blunt attitudes and dry humor makes interacting with other species troublesome at first. Though, Insectfused and Dwarves have an easier time of it.

Although their bodies are individually made and diverse, they all have a roughly humanoid shape. Artisans have found that if a body is too different from a body found in nature, it will be unable to attune its central crystal sphere, known colloquially as their ‘soul sphere’.

Cog are crafted individually. And thus, cannot influence bloodlines in the manor of other species. Cog parts, however, can be used to replace lost limbs or add limbs to other species. Though not the same as bloodlines, some Cog refer to those with added limbs as half-bloods. Whether this is a compliment or insult is difficult to determine.