Cybernetics

Technology has come to offer reliable replacements for most of any race’s anatomy. This can include arms, legs, spine, torso, cranium, eyes, genitals, and internal organs. Most cybernetics are simple robotic prosthetics to replace damaged body parts. More advanced cybernetics add additional functionality such as hidden weapons, sensors, network interface, heightened coordination and reflexes, atmospheric filters, and armor. Most cybernetics are manufactured and installed by large corporate conglomerates who also install regulatory software to ensure lawful use of the items and regular service fees. Blackmarket cybernetics do not have such restrictions, but are illegal in Schema and often dangerous or unreliable to the user. Any individual whose entire body is cybernetic is considered by Schema to be a robot, and loses all rights. Instances of this are very rare, since most people experience brain death or a catastrophic malfunction long before even the majority of their body is replaced.

Cranial

Comms Implant

Allows for mental connection with the network and silent communication.

Invoke for connecting to a network remotely and silently

Value: 2

Empathy Chip

Advanced and adaptive algorithms for interpreting body language, tone, and behavior prediction to assist with social interactions

Invoke for a roll for social interactions or observations

Value: 2

Cognitive Assist

Computational hardware for assistance with data parsing and information retrieval. Normally makes the user unresponsive while running.

Invoke for a roll to analyze or retrieve data

Value: 3

Drone Familiar

Detachable remote-controlled drone with sensors, comms, and small manipulation mandibles.

Invoke for Notice or investigate, or to be able to notice or investigate remotely

Value: 3

Ocular

Advanced Sensor

Embedded sensor suite for thermals, range finder, motion tracking, topographics, material composition, and so on

Invoke for Notice or Investigate rolls

Value: 3

Beam Emitter

Miniaturized energy beam emitter used as a short range low-yield energy weapon or cutting/fusing tool

Invoke for Extraction rolls, or to make a shoot attack with Weapon:1

Value: 4

Tactical Display

Specialized Vignette TTS tactical sensors and overlay to assist with target tracking, aim assist, and situational awareness

Invoke for Shoot, Fight, or Tweaking rolls

Value: 2

Stun Burst

Combination EMP and bioelectric pulse that stuns nearby electronics and biologicals

Full zone attack, apply EMP situational aspect and Stunned situational aspect.

Value: 3

Holographic Microprojector

Can project the appearance of 3-dimensional images up to 3 meters away. These images must be unobstructed to the projector and must remain in their field-of-view.

Invoke for Deceive, Investigate, or other roll that would benefit a hologram.

Value: 4

Torso

Armored Skin

Exodermal composite armor that increases damage resistance while limiting movement when in use

Invoke, for the remainder of the scene gain Armor:3 but cannot move more than one zone each turn.

Value: 3

Recovery System

Medical smart chemical factory deployed to repair biological tissue and to combat antigens, can be used on other's

Invoke to be able to roll Medicine to remove stress or recover from consequences on self

Value: 3

Space Lungs

Built-in life support system for prolonged hibernation in low-pressure environments or filtration of toxins

Invoke to ignore any stress or consequences as a result of a lack of atmosphere, or a toxic atmosphere for the remainder of the scene

Value: 3

Appearance Modification

Collar-mounted robotic surgical cocoon that applies a disguise

Invoke to Deceive rolls made to disguise

Value: 4

Missile Launcher

Retractable clavicle missile or grenade launching platform. Single-use before needing to be reloaded

Invoke to make a whole-zone attack with Shoot.

Value: 4

Spinal

Power Plant and Conduit

Miniaturized internal power generator and conductive limbs

Invoke for Engineer rolls when touching electronics, or take 1 physical stress to supply power

Value: 3

Reaction Smart-Assist

Integrated microprocessors that interpret threats and execute pre-determined reflexive reactions

Invoke for for defensive rolls or for determining turn order

Value: 3

Tecton Planking System

Full-body length structural reinforcement, activated to withstand immense crushing force.

Invoke for defense against Fight, or Physique to resist immense force.

Value: 3

Arm

Enhanced Strength

Assisted skeletal structure for lifting, unarmed strikes, and endurance

Invoke for attack with Fight, or Physique to lift, drag, or throw

Value: 2

Arm Hardpoint

Retractable weapon or tool mounted inside the forearm. Includes tools, firearms, and flipknives.

Invoke to produce and equip an extra. This extra cannot be disarmed from you. Free invoke to unequip and store.

Value: 3

Data Interface

Splicing tool with a data jack extruded for direct interface with electronic and data systems

Invoke for Tweaking when physically touching the target

Value: 2

Auxiliary Manipulators

An extra set of smaller arms mounted below the first to assist in multitasking.

Invoke for an extra action.

Value: 3

Leg

Impact Absorption

Suspension system to reduce likelihood of falling from a significant distance

+1 to Athletics when falling or jumping, or Stealth when sneaking

Value: 3

Femoral Accelerator

Gyro-assisted hyper servos for increased locomotive speed

+1 to Athletics when running

Value: 3

Concealed Compartment

Hollowed thigh container for sensor-masked equipment storage

+1 to Stealth or Deceive to hide an object on one's person

Value: 4

Magnetic Feet

Built-in alternative to magnetic boots. Adjustable heel for aesthetic preference

Invoke to ignore any penalties for zero gravity, or to ignore a push or pull effect

Value: 2

Simxodian Biotics

Cybernetics designed by the Simxodian Biotics corporation are smooth and aesthetic, made to look like the body-parts they would replace. They are manufactured in a variety of natural skin tones and some even have a layer of flexible synthetic skin. At the higher-end, they may be nearly indistinguishable from biological limbs except for subtle seams or the occasional glow of subdermal lights.

Copperbone Technologies

Copperbone Technologies designs their cybernetics for pure functionality with large durable shapes and powerful motor joints. While they are often the most affordable due to their industrial appearance, they are frequently favored by laborers, particularly since they can be more easily modified to a user's needs.

Diamondtusk

Sleak and dangerous, Diamondtusk cybernetics favor high-tech mechanisms such as pneumatic musculature, but prefer to showcase their technology by keeping the components exposed and underscored by subtle glossy or matte finish. These are favored by people who want to look like they mean business, or by people who actually do.

Sanctity of Flesh

It is unclear whether the belief arises from ancient philosophy or contemporary superstition, but many elves or members of The Family believe in a spiritual consequence for the modification of ones body with cybernetic technology. The exact consequences differ from believers, however the most common expectations are that the more of your body is technological, the less connection you have with the spiritual elements. Others claim that any cybernetics at all will force a complete disconnect to spirit. Others claim that voluntary modifications have consequences, whereas prosthetic replacements for damaged limbs do not. The most outrageous claim seems to be that cybernetics diminish the ability of a person to perform magic. While each exodian is entitled to their beliefs and lifestyle, it is important to note that none of these notions have any scientific backing, particularly the claim regarding magic.

The only verifiable support for this notion is the tendency for bodies to experience sudden and widespread organ failure should enough of their function be replaced with cybernetics. Manufacturers insist that users keep their cybernetics data-collection settings on and firmware up-to-date so that any anomalies are immediately reported to support representatives, and logged to help improve products.

Robotics

Anthrobot

Space is full of dull, repetitive work. With slavery illegal in SCO space, and skilled crew in high demand, there is an industry for robots capable of performing menial tasks.

Robots come in a variety of forms, some with more specific utility, others given anthropoid features to set their owners at ease.

Enthusiasm for the industry declined soon after a number of proposed features were proven impractical. Among the limitations of modern anthrobots are the need to return regularly to a charging station, relatively small computational power next to a dedicated computer, lack of strength, dexterity, and durability, and most of all the stilted and awkward voice-synthesis and social AI. Even after a number of artists and entertainers bought up older models to dress them in clothing to take dramatic image captures, the technology was largely abandoned.

Anthrobots are still found as clerks, warehouse workers, butlers, and custodial staff. It is not uncommon to find them patrolling abandoned facilities, carrying out their benign programming.

In recent years there have been complaints from activist groups that the treatment of anthrobots could be akin to slavery should sentience arise. Manufacturers insist they have no reason to believe that any anthrobot AI has achieved anything close to self-awareness.

DJN

The Domestic Job Nurse is one of the few models of robot that are still used in customer-service roles. Its popularity and longevity is largely due to its design significantly departing from the humanoid models that preceded it. The DJN travels on a single spherical omniwheel at its base supplemented by secondary wheels to help it climb stairs or right itself. Its cylindrical body is mounted with four articulating arms that can be switched out for more industry-specific tools, allowing it to multitask or complete more complex work. Mounted atop the unit is an omni-directional sensor bank and antenna, allowing the DJIN to maintain full perception of its surroundings and reliable connection to its network. This combined efficiency and awareness makes it an exceedingly useful assistant, server, or even security monitor, and has even earned it a reputation for having an uncanny ability to anticipate user's needs and appear at a moment's notice.

Brownie

One of the oldest and most reliably unchanged robots in common use is the Brownie. This machine is a fully automatic cleaning robot that sits on a low frame for removing rubbish, liquids, and stains beneath it, while utilizing a long robotic arm for cleaning high places, corners, or other spots that it couldn't otherwise reach. Its interior houses a self-contained incinerator allowing it render detritus down into dense blocks of ash that it can deposit into garbage receptacles. The simple and functional design has not been improved much since it became commercially available, however its AI is much better at scheduled routines as well as not destroying valuable objects such as data chips, cash bits, or small pets.

LAMA

The LAMA Load-Assisting Mechanical Automaton, alternately known as the ALPackA Assisted Load Pack Automaton, is a robotic supply vehicle. The LAMA was developed to assist planetary expedition teams who were venturing into difficult terrain where normal transports or hoglium bikes could not. The added feature of artificial intelligence and simple navigational sensors allowed for its design to specialize in cargo transportation. In rural communities they may transport people, although the constant bouncing and lurching of the legs and balance system make for a discomforting ride.

PXE

The PXE Pilot-able Xenological Explorer survey drones are remotely-operated robotic aircraft with sophisticate sensor equipment. They are often used by surface crew for survey, reconnaissance, or even racing. Military operations have experimented with replacing the sensor equipment with weapons.

PXE-Bow

The PXE-Bow is a modified PXE designed for combat, it sports an underslung Pikeman turret as well as armor plating.

Drone Familiar

Drone familiars are small robotic aircraft launched by cybernetics installed in the skull of a person. They allow a user remote control and direct sensory input, as well as limited physical manipulation, interface with data systems, and audio output. Familiar drones are capable of operating independently of their user with limited AI for short periods of time, however it is important to note that if destroyed, the user will lose a certain degree of sensory and data processing until the drone is replaced.

Quartermaster

Originally designed to shelve books in gnomish archives, the quartermaster was soon adapted for use in warehouses, cargo vessels, industrial facilities, and anywhere goods must be transported through tight corridors or be placed on high shelves. The quartermaster is constructed of several independently articulating wheels for use on flat surfaces and a structural framework. Mounted to this framework are a forked scoop designed to lift heavy objects off of the ground and keep them stable and low during transportation. Additionally, the device has a heavy-duty manipulator claw capable of gripping objects and lifting them up to 4 meters off the ground. The quartermaster is driven primarily by standard industrial artificial intelligence, however due to its extreme strength and power, it is normally operated or supervised by a pilot with a utility vehicle certificate. For more information on quartermasters, see their page on the vehicle database.

Value:

STRA

The Solo and Tactical Reconnaissance Automaton is a multipedal robot designed as a semi-autonomous scout drone capable of navigating difficult terrain with a much greater operational range than airborne drones. Their torso houses solar panels which allow it to operate nearly indefinitely in direct sunlight. They are equipped with dual audio and radio transceivers, dual lateral omnidirectional optical sensors, and a compact forward sensor suite concealed behind a slanted resnal screen that serves as digital display and user-input device. Due to their surprising popularity as domestic companions, later models have been programmed with social features such as preprogrammed dances, fetch routines, and an array of noise samples meant to imitate animals. Some of these robots have even been repurposed as assistants to individuals with disabilities. Their powerful sensor equipment and navigational software has lead to a number of documented cases of STRAs traveling thousands of kilometers to return to their assigned users.

Value: 3

When a STRA-operator needs to perform maintanence or alter settings, the unit will "sit" and present its resnal touchscreen for user input. If a user does not touch this screen within a certain length of time, the STRA resumes its normal programming, leading to the misconception that they behave better if regularly touched.

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