you could, I suppose, borrow the Hebraic golem, an artificially created human supernaturally endowed with life.

Composed of dust and once, at least, one was made to protect his people.

It's my understanding that a golem can take on a life separate from it's "creator's" intention and is often an ugly spirit which can and usually does great harm and the "creator" is not immune.

The Maharal's was only sad. It has been said, if not recently then not too long ago, that *that* golem is a heap of dust in a box in the attic of the Great Synagogue in Prague.