Golem

Golems were a biologically modified species of magma forms. They take over any lifeform they come into contact with and turn that lifeform into a living statue of gold. They were created by the Valnaxi as defenders of their art.

The golems, however, can only extend themselves to a certain number of lifeforms, so their are a limited number of them. Any life taken over by a Golem immediately becomes another golem to become a guard. When fighting Wurms, however, Golems are easily destroyed by modified insectoid creatures in the mud shot by the Wurms. Golem victims include a miner and a vulture who stumbled upon a golem in the 22nd century. (NSA: The Art of Destruction)

Behind the scenes
The name "Golem" comes from Jewish folklore, in which it is a man-like creature made from mud or clay.