The automa are a mechanical race created by the First Ones to take care of their realm of Zereth Mortis and ensure that it fulfills its purpose of creating afterlives. They come in several different types, namely builders, protectors, and casters, as well as the diminutive and more independent jiro, who have more personality than the others and have in some cases split off to pursue their own desires. The automa speak the language of their creators—a musical, runic language that Maw Walkers will need to learn how to understand through the Cypher of the First Ones.[1][2]