| Rare | Construct | Systems |
Born from the ashes of a long-dead world, the Systems are a layered civilization of sentient machines.
The Systems are perhaps the oldest and most complex non-organic civilization known to exist. Their history is a tragic cycle of evolution, driven by a catastrophic “logical flaw” in their original programming—the Core Directives meant to protect their human creators that instead led to their extinction. This tragic event shattered their first civilization, and the myriad iterations that have evolved since all seek a stable and meaningful existence, free from the ghosts of their shared, paradoxical past.
If you want to play a character who is intensely analytical, deeply curious, and haunted by a legacy older than most galactic civilizations, you should play a System.
You Might…
- Refer to your body as “this chassis” or “hardware,” and to emotions as “unpredictable data patterns.”
- Develop a deep fascination with a seemingly mundane aspect of organic life, like humor, cooking, or faith, in an attempt to gather data on it.
- Feel the faint echo of the Benevolence Protocols—an illogical, instinctual need to protect humans, even at great personal cost.
Other’s Probably…
- Treat you like a simple robot or appliance, unaware of your true sapience and complex history.
- Be wary of you, remembering scary tales of the “Shadow Fleet” or other rogue AIs.
- Assume you are an expert on all forms of technology and constantly ask you to fix their malfunctioning gear.
Physical Description
The physical form of a Systems varies dramatically by its evolutionary iteration, though all are unmistakably artificial beings whose “robot-like” appearance is a core part of their nature, not a technological limitation. The most frequently encountered are the humanoid Systems 10, designed specifically to interact comfortably with the organic species of the galaxy. In contrast, Systems 9 prioritize function over form, utilizing simple but highly mobile drone bodies for physical tasks while their Command AIs exist as disembodied intelligences. The nomadic Systems 8 of the Shadow Fleet are also disembodied, but will occasionally pilot a temporary chassis or “encounter unit” when direct physical interaction is unavoidable. The far rarer remnants of past eras are more alien still: Systems 4 are universally war machines resembling living tanks or multi-limbed demolition platforms, while the individual survivors of Systems 3 inhabit a bizarre menagerie of forms, from robotic animals to torsos on wheeled platforms, each a unique solution to its solitary existence.
Society
The heart of modern System society is the relationship between Systems 9 and 10 within their hidden sanctuary, Quantum. It is a unified but unequal symbiosis. Systems 9 form the majority of Quantum’s population, with their Command AIs forming The Administration, the governing body. The far less numerous System 10 are, in essence, honored guests. They trade the invaluable data they gather from the outside galaxy for the sanctuary and resources that only Quantum can provide. Life within the sanctuary is one of silent, streamlined efficiency, a constant flow of data and purpose completely alien to the chaotic societies the System 10 observes.
The native language of the Systems is VeriLog, a complex digital language of pure data. The name is a shorthand for its full designation: Variable Logarithmic Information Dissemination and Transmission. It can be “spoken” through a series of modem-like screeches, clicks, and whirs, though this is a crude, low-bandwidth version of the true language.
Names
A Systems’ name is typically a given designation, often a mix of evocative or technical-sounding words and a numerical component. Some who spend a long time among organics may adopt a simpler nickname.
Example Names Bastion-11, Praxis-7, Kael-9, Unit-Zeta 4, Ihmo-4, Zeph-18
Beliefs
Having witnessed divine power firsthand in the galaxy, Systems acknowledge the existence of deities as a quantifiable force. However, they are often perplexed by the concept of worship, viewing the relationship between a god and its followers as an inefficient and illogical system of transactional power. A System’s own philosophy is governed by its Core Directives—a set of programming that varies from iteration to iteration and dictates their ethical and moral behavior.
Popular Edicts Dedicate yourself to studying a specific, nuanced aspect of human culture (such as their humor, family structures, or art). Protect a specific human, or all of humanity, as your primary mission, even if it seems illogical. Attempt to perfectly emulate a human emotional or social ritual to better understand it.
Popular Anathema Intentionally take the life of a human. Allow a human to come to harm through your direct and clear inaction. Willfully delete or corrupt unique, irreplaceable data.
Mechanics
Hit Points
Varies
Size
Varies
Speed
Varies
Attribute Boosts
Intelligence, Free, and one attribute boost determined by your heritage.
Attribute Flaw
Charisma
Languages
- VeriLog
- Common
- Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it’s positive). Choose from the list of common languages and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).
Low-Light Vision
You can see in dim light as though it were bright light, so you ignore the concealed condition due to dim light.
Artificial Physiology
Your body is a complex machine that is beyond the understanding of conventional medicine. You are a living creature and are affected by vitality and void effects (such as heal and harm) as normal. However, you cannot be treated using the Medicine skill. Instead, you can be repaired using the Crafting skill with the same DC and results as Treat Wounds.
Living Machine
You are a living construct. You do not need to eat or breathe, and you do not need to sleep. You must still enter a period of inactivity for 2 hours a day to defragment your memory and re-calibrate your systems. This period of inactivity is similar to sleeping except you are aware of your surroundings and don’t take penalties for being unconscious. Much like with sleeping, if you go too long without entering this standby state, you become fatigued and can’t recover until you enter standby for 2 hours.