“Whether we are based on carbon or on silicon makes no
fundamental difference; we should each be treated with appropriate respect.”
― Arthur C. Clarke, 2010: Odyssey Two
Mechanoids, also known as synthetics, androids or
—"artificial persons" (AP), are biomechanical humanoids. They are
essentially robots that emulate Humans in both appearance and actions.
The modern Mechanoid is a highly complex machine:
stronger, faster and better coordinated than an average human. The basic
chassis is a carbon fiber skeleton and artificial musculature. The muscles
themselves are vat-grown silicon colloids powered either by pumped
micro-hydraulics or electrical stimulation. In the Heroic Age setting,
Mechanoids are the product of Inspired Technology (Super Science). Though
initially created as laborers, soldiers and companions, they have the option of
“buying” themselves from their manufacturers. Now they are a growing minority
of non-human beings found in a wide range of jobs, Roles and Allegiances. The
vast majority of Mechanoids live and work in “Science Cities” such as Atom
City, Empire City, and Lunar City. Mechanoid characters are “humanoid” in
shape, with a decidedly “robotic” appearance. They are hairless, mechanical
persons with duraplastic and ceramic “skin” and other puppet or machine
features. Mechanoids with a high appearance (4+) can elect to have a more
organic look using specially made skin and even “hair”, or they might be proudly
robotic, but designed to gleam and shine.
Example Connections: Hacktivist friend, Pilots,
Super Scientists, Technicians (Aeon, Cerebex, etc)
Origin Skills: Aim, Enigmas, Pilot, Technology
Edges: Direction Sense (•), Photographic Memory
(•••), Lightning Calculator (••), Speed Reading (•).
Special (bonus): Self Sufficiency, Fragile Machine
- Self Sufficiency: Mechanoids are durable by design, as they are built to work in harsh conditions. Your character is completely immune to suffocation, vacuum, poisonous gases, and more severe extremes of heat or cold (typically −80° to 100° C). Mechanoids do not eat, drink or breathe, though they do have need of maintenance that costs an equivalent amount of money and time.
- Fragile Machine: While the skeletal structure of a mechanoid is sturdy, the electronics and musculature are extremely vulnerable to hydrostatic shock and explosive effects. When a mechanoid takes any damage from electricity or weapons with the explosive enhancement (pp 124), mark a second Health box as well. If this attack is a critical strike, mark four Health boxes instead of two.
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MECHANOIDS AND THE HEROIC AGE
These “synthetic persons” are a small but growing
minority in the world of the Heroic Age. Though initially seen as a “wonderful
innovation”, Mechanoids were quickly viewed as a means to steal jobs and
diminish the importance of human workers. After a few highly publicized
incidents involving berserk robots and android minions of would-be world
conquerors, Mechanoids are not as popular as they once were. Still, these
synthetic persons are highly valued in high-risk jobs, and are even known to be
heroes of renown in the Heroic Age.
CEREBEX INC: The largest manufacturer of
Mechanoids in the world is the tech giant Cerebex Inc. This huge corporation is
a leading tech giant of the world, beginning as a computer hardware and
software company and quickly entering the fields of technology, industrial
manufacturing, robotics and aerospace technology. The head offices and
manufacturing facilities in Empire City is hope to a great many Mechanoids,
with large numbers working in the cities industries, infrastructure (subway,
NYPAFR, etc) and police force.
USAF Space Command: Also known as Solar Warden,
the US-AFSC is a major employer of Mechanoids, as these “artificial persons”
are ideal candidates for space operations. Mechanoid pilots, laborers, soldiers
and super scientists are all highly regarded in the US-AFSC.
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NOTES
This material is intended for use with the Trinity Continuum Rulebook by Onyx Path Publishing. If you would like to see more of this setting, including maps, creatures, NPCs and other tidbits, swing over to my Patreon. Follow, join, comment and contribute, and I will churn out material in greater amounts.
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