MECHANOIDS: A Robotic Origin for the Heroic Age

“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. 

MANGANI: Ape Folk of the Heroic Age

MANGANI (ORIGIN)

The Mangani (aka Alma, Squatch) are a species of higher apes that can be found around the world where they are traditionally associated with “Hairy Men” in local traditions. These creatures greatly resemble gorillas, but are completely bipedal and are as intelligent as a human. Mangani have a very physical society, appreciating muscle and endurance over intellectual pursuits. This has led them to jobs in which they can use their great strength, such as laborers, construction, soldiering, law enforcement and (unfortunately) crime.

The largest populations of Mangani live in the Congo and several “Lost World” regions, but a significant number can be found in British Columbia, New Shambhala and in Empire City. A few Mangani have moved to Caspak City on Caprona Island to act as scouts and translators for the US among the ape-like inhabitants of the Hollow Earth. Mangani are well represented in the Hero and Villain community, using their great physical power to great effect. Mangani surnames are their tribal names, and are a big deal to most Mangani. Some widespread tribal names are; Kerchak (the most numerous), Dzuteh, Malgash, Molak, Toyat, Kangamdi, Ungo, Miche, and Zutho.

Mangani is the name of a fictional species of great apes in the Tarzan novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs, and of the invented language used by these apes. In the invented language, Mangani (meaning "great-ape") is the apes' word for their own kind, although the term is also applied (with modifications) to humans. The Mangani are represented as the apes who foster and raise Tarzan (a real historic person in the setting).

Example Connections: Bouncers, Park Rangers, Street Gangs, Family Connections

Origin Skills: Athletics, Close Combat, Enigmas, Survival

Edges: Endurance (•••), Hardy (• to •••), Keen Smell (•), Superior Might (••), Tough Cookie (••)

Special (bonus): Brutish, Going Ape

• Brutish: Although you are the size of a bulky human, you are treated as a Scale 2 being. This allows you to automatically succeed on all rolls to lift, throw, or move objects or characters of Size 1 or smaller. 
• Going Ape. Whenever you are angry, surprised or otherwise excited you tend to grunt and hoot loudly, beating your chest and snarling. This draws attention and frightens people. You can resist the urge to act this way for one Scene on a successful Resolve roll.

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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. 

EMPIRE CITY: A City Of Adventure for the Heroic Age

Empire City is a booming super-city that combines New York (including the five boroughs) Jersey City and then some. The different cities have been ravaged and rebuilt so often that they all merged into an immense Urban Sprawl. A rich industrial town, Empire City is a polluted and overcrowded mess that always seems to be dark and gloomy. Mafia-style organized crime is very powerful as are corrupt businessmen and politicians. Enormous skyscrapers dominate the skyline with Art-Deco style. The super-rich often dwell here in opulent condos with suspended rail-cars connecting the huge buildings. Overall, Empire City is a larger than life world. Huge skyscrapers, vast industrial yards and deep, deep corruption. A great place for a Heroic Age game.

Super Science plays a very large part in the success of Empire City. A large number of Science Heroes live in the city and have pooled their genius to make Empire City into a veritable futurist's paradise. Several fusion power plants supply the power needs of the greater city, suspension railways connect the vast skyline, deep subway lines, and flying cars and robots for the wealthy are just a few of the high-tech innovations made possible through the power of science!
NOTE: This setting 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. 

EMPIRE ISLAND

The center of it all, Empire Island is a bustling center and home to much of the elite of Empire City.

Aeon Society- The Aeon Society is quite active in Empire City, and maintains a large clubhouse on Empire Island. Many members of the society are employed by one of several corporations found in the city such as Captain Aero of Reade Iron Works, and Don Wright of The Daily Bulletin.

Branch 9, Empire City- Branch 9 has several offices in Empire City, with its central offices located on Empire Island. There are a great many weird things happening in the city, and Branch 9 often works with local police to deal with the stranger incidents.

Waite National Bank- A major financial institute located on Empire Island. This huge bank is an ancient gothic structure resembles a fortress. The science hero known as Magno the Magnetic Man is known to be in the employ of the Bank, whose exploits as a bounty hunter are highly publicized.

KINGSBURG

The most densely populated borough of Empire City, the ultra-modern Kingsburg is covered in huge skyscrapers, housing developments and high-tech industry. The can-do attitude and innovation of Empire City can really be felt here, as industry and home neighborhoods blend seamlessly into an impressive whole.

Cerebex Inc. (Home of the Super Brain)- Cerebex 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. Dr. William R, Jackson founder, CEO, and chief engineer/designer of the company is a reclusive super scientist and polymath.  Cerebex Inc also maintains manufacturing facilities in Iron City and on South Island.

New York Power Authority Fusion Reactor- This massive tokamak nuclear fusion reactor came on lime five years ago and is quickly taking over the power requirements of the city. The mutants that occasionally turn up in the city sewers are mere coincidence.

QUEENSBURG

Queensburg is the largest borough geographically and is adjacent to the borough of Kingsburg at the western end of Long Island. Queensburg also shares water borders with the boroughs of Empire Island and the East End. Queensburg is densely populated but considered more “homey” than other boroughs.

Danner Industrial Technology (DIT)- A biotech corporation that specializes in super-crops and medical tech. This facility has a massive hydroponics plant that supplies much of the city’s food supply. DIT also maintains a huge botanical garden in East Side which is the highest ranked botanical garden in the US.

Dinosaur Circus (Zoo)- This massive zoo and science facility hosts living displays of numerous dinosaur species taken from several Lost World locales and from the Hollow World. The structure housing the dinosaurs is state of the art and capable of housing many more dinosaur species.

Global Cartography Initiative, Empire City Branch- The Global Cartography Initiative has large offices in Queensburg in cooperation with the Dinosaur Circus. The facility has a large database and small museum dedicated to exploration and mapping of the wider world and its marvels.

EAST SIDE

East Side is a borough of Empire City. It is a bustling place full of entertainment facilities, cultural centers and a vibrant arts scene. 

East Side Botanical Gardens- These huge botanical gardens house plants from around the world and beyond, including Lost World, Hollow Earth and even some from Mars and Venus.

Marstown (Alien Ghetto)- A neighborhood and home to Alien asylum seekers of several species and origins. They keep mostly to themselves and are generally considered to be far less interesting than people thought they would be.

Yankee Megaplex- This huge facility is a veritable city in its own right. A huge stadium, shops, restaurants, high end hotel and permanent housing for the elite.

WEST SIDE

West side is a borough of Empire City and home for a larger portion of the cities shipping and manufacturing. It is a proud, blue collar town and full of the tough can-do attitude that Empire City is widely known for.

Lonely Street- A rough and tumble street in the West Side. Lonely street is home to an energetic criminal culture.

Underbridge- Large underground housing located under the old West End Bridge and connecting with several major Subway lines. Underbridge has fallen into disrepair and is now under the control of gangs and the homeless.

Zombie Outbreak Response Association (ZORA)- The zombie issue of many back-street areas of Empire City is a problem that almost nobody wants to deal with. Though this issue can be found in many sewer and waterfront areas, the West Side has the most energetic presence of the Zombie Outbreak Response Association in Empire City. ZORA is particularly active fighting zombie outbreaks in Iron City, Orange City and Queensburg.

READESBURG

A borough of Empire City built around the industrial manufacturing plants of Reade Iron Works. The borough is home to many low rent apartment buildings.

Borden Industries- A massive industrial transport and shipping corporation in Readesburg. Owned by the brilliant and ferocious Ann Borden who is known to socialize with costumed heroes.

Reade Iron Works- A vehicle and technology manufacturing company founded by Frank Reade in the late 19th century.

IRON TOWN

Iron Town is a manufacturing town, and home to many semi-skilled and skilled laborers.

Cerebex Manufacturing- Cerebex Inc has a large factory here. Robotic manufacturing is the norm, but there is a need for human technicians to keep the robots running well.

Farr Military Academy- Elite military academy that trains agents in the use of NexGen technology.

ORANGE CITY

Orange City is a well to do town with a manufacturing beginning.

New Samarkand- A large number of people from the nation of Samarkand has a neighborhood here. Their links to Moon Girl and the Lunar society are considerable.

Triton Foundation, Empire City- The charity branch of the Aeon Society has a large facility in Orange City. The Triton Foundation building is connected to many hospitals, soup kitchens and churches and other groups across Empire City.

SOUTH ISLAND

South Island is a largely residential borough of Empire City. Many who live here work in Kingsburg and Empire Island.

Demon Ministry Headquarters- The Demon Ministry is a branch of the government tasked with keeping humans safe from demons by either killing them or putting them under protection as informants.

HEROIC AGE: Modern Pulp Adventure in the Trinity Continuum

The Trinity Continuum roleplaying game by Onyx Path Publishing is excellent for creating pulpy, proto-superhero type characters. I love such extraordinary but relatable characters over super-powered ones, focusing on Action, Science and Guile Heroes fells more substantial to me. That said I like the thought of a world shaped by mad science and full of all of the weirdness of the pulps and strange fiction.

Though I will be using elements of the Aeon Continuum of games, I will be focusing a on Talents. Psiads, Psions, Novas and Aberrants will be replaced Anomalies. Aliens, mutants, urban legends and eldritch abominations. Psychics in this setting will be cold readers, hypnotists and users of weird gadgets and drugs. But don’t worry, things will get pretty weird as is.

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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OVERALL HEROIC AGE SETTING

Heroic Age takes place in a modern(ish) setting of 2033. A world where ghosts, UFO’s, demons, mutant monsters, urban legends, magic and weird science are all real and have influenced the world in many wonderful ways. Everyday folks mostly ignore these strange entities and occurrences until they are directly troubled. Many times, people are more embarrassed by alien abductions, demonic possession or abuse of super science by their kids than horrified. Most people are trying to get on with their lives, with strangeness being another thing on the news.

Furthermore, costumed heroes are a presence. Some, such as public “Science Heroes” and other themed "Two-Fisted" adventurers. Such heroes are vigilantes who work as bounty hunters bail-bondsmen and semi-criminals are more-or-less legal. The more popular are seen shaking the hands of politicians and opening supermarkets, thanks to their publicists.

The setting is a “retro now” version of our reality, being an ultramodern version of the near future — live prime-time TV and soda fountains in drugstores coexist with orbital space stations and interplanetary flight. Alien invasions, mad scientists, zombie uprisings, Atlantis and cosmic monsters have changed the course of human history.

Excellent inspirational reading: Airboy (the Image reboot), Archie Comics (2015 reboot), Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot, Dick Tracy (strip), SCP Foundation, Two Fisted Tales, The Goon, The Onion, The Weekly World News, Hellboy and Tom Strong. Podcasts of relatable content are the Drabblecast, Coast to Coast AM, The Weird Tales Podcast, and the Stranger Than Fiction Podcast.

WEIRD HISTORY

As a general rule of the Heroic Age, a great many pulpy and over the top events in pulps, B-Movies, comics and cartoons are in-fact Historic Documents. Player characters will have grown up watching atomic horror flicks in school as documentaries and vampire films in health class. Some movie examples are: The Blob, Conga, Dracula (book and movie versions), Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, Gwangi, Night of the Living Dead, Gorgo, Them!, The Deadly Mantis, The Giant Claw, Galaxy of Terror, The Land that Time Forgot, War of the Worlds (all versions) and Zarkorr!, the Invader (to name a few).

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NEXT! Locations of Note. Origins. Factions. Anomalies and More!