Sorcerio 4600 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Spoiler Preface: This lore serves to act as a rewritten guide for Automaton Crafting. While a guide was already published ((credit to TheAlphaMoist)), it did not address several key points in the lore, particularly regarding the playing of an Automaton, hence why this guide was written to amend that. A young craftsman and his automaton working out arm plating for a new automaton. Automaton Crafting - Animati Automaton Crafting is a non-magical means of automaton creation through alchemy, hinging heavily upon the use of the material alphabet and fashioned from inorganic material. These automatons, otherwise known as Animii, are machine constructs of incredibly versatile nature, designed to the whim of their alchemic creator; composed of various contraptions, gears, vessels, cogs, and all manner of mechanical devices. Not only is this feat limited to the make of constructs, however, for the more creative sort amidst its practitioners may even employ it as a further means of invention and innovation, capable of creating marvelous feats of engineering through the make of gadgets. It requires that one have moderate to advanced knowledge on alchemy at the Material Alphabet, as well as mechanical experience. It may be learned under those who already know it and cannot be self-taught. The Creation of Automatons The creation of Automatons is not one without system and precision, necessitating that the alchemist take care to create said construct, filling it with all assortment of things which grant it movement and sentience. Various designs may be employed so that the automaton is not made faulty and inefficient -- for as these creations are begot by alchemy and the sciences, science may still dictate their workings and function. It is recommended that one possess some form of laboratory or workspace in order to create these machines, primarily for easy access to materials required, as a sloppily made automaton will surely fail. First, the Automaton Crafter must employ a frame for the animati, much akin to a skeleton in order to establish its shape and make. This frame may be made of any inorganic material, however, it is advised that one employ a sturdy material such as steel to ensure that the construct’s form does not crumble or fail to force. Once the frame is made, the alchemist may then fill it with tubings and cogs, much akin to the veins and vessels of man, as these will soon flow with the life-blood of the automaton. After the frame has been designed and filled with the internal implements, the Automaton Crafter may then begin to construct the most important part of the animati, this being known as a “Gear Heart”. The gadget itself may be made from various redstone-infused cogs, or perhaps gemstones that hold conductive properties, such as adfectio, graphite, or even diamond. It is this particular device implanted within the automaton that will generate an energy from the cogs, sending the lifeblood coursing throughout, and thus, offering the construct motion. Should this piece of equipment be destroyed within the automaton, they are ultimately lost and their consciousness will be unrecoverable by their creator. Once the heart is made and implanted, the automaton is nigh complete in its creation. However, despite its working of motion, it would still require the ability to sense that which lies around it, namely smell, sight, and sound. More importantly, its ability to talk and be made aware will also require similar instruments fixed within the construct. Typically, the attachment permitting consciousness is placed upon the heart or within the head of the automaton, only for it to be filled with a particular alchemic fluid that would grant it awareness. This, essentially, acts as the automatons brain. Next, the alchemist may move onto creating the aforementioned senses. The eyes themselves are to be made of alchemically treated glass filled with various reagents assigned to symbols of agility, only to have the interior of the eyes filled with more alchemic fluids. For the automaton to speak, a voice-box must be made, consisting of what appears as a small note-box with various pins and needles which pull upon strings to grant the construct a voice. More detailed voice boxes may result in a smoother, more melodious tone, whereas simple ones may merely offer a gritty and low pitch. Oferatory and nasal receptors may be made similarly through other particular alchemic compound fluids poured into said modules. Lastly, the automaton’s frame must be completed and covered to ensure the internals suffer minimal damage from the environment or other individuals. Any inorganic material may be used for this, however, one should note that the construct will be limited in its speed depending on the material employed, and will only be able to sustain heavier frames for so long before collapsing. It is ill-advised that one make a regular automaton out of heavier substances such as Carbarium unless the construct would be capable of carrying its own weight, and even then, would be incredibly limited in motion. With the constructs frame complete, the alchemist may then add in the life-blood of the automaton, allowing it to course through the construct’s tubes and veins as the Gear Heart pumps it throughout their body. With a final jumpstart, oftentimes through use of a spring or even lightning, the automaton will be granted full sentience and operation. Once they have been awoken, they must be taught to employ their functions, before being truly ready for the outside world. Lifeblood Recipe Spoiler Powdered charcoal mixed with water Connection x3 Life x3 Growth x2 Strength x1 Balance x2 Endurance x3 Grace x2 Order x3 Key Points Spoiler - Though there are no specific emote counts for creating any automaton, one should keep in mind that their emotes should retain quality and express that the individual understands what they are doing. Slapping together some scraps of metal and dousing it in alchemic fluid doesn’t cut it. RPly, this should take some time, as the Automaton Crafter must not only build the construct, but also gather the necessary materials and resources. - The creation of an automaton is not limited only to playable CAs. However, one should ensure that the created construct follows the same general outlines, and possesses all the required components for it to function. For example, an automaton crafter might be able to finish the construction of a small mechanical bird upon a park bench should they have all the required materials with them, as well as functional wings, eyes, etc. Furthermore, an Automaton must be proportional and make sense physically. A human sized construct will be unable to move if they are given large arms with olog strength. Automatons larger/stronger than an olog (without overclocking) require an ET to play. - Automaton crafting cannot be performed in combat situations, as it requires too much time and attention. Automaton Customization Though fully functional upon their initial creation, an automaton may still be furthered in their abilities through means of customization. Armor, gadgets, and even additional limbs may all be employed upon an automaton, albeit limited to some capacity. For example, while a playable descendant-based automaton may wear armor akin to a descendant, a non-playable automaton would only be able to wear armor that their counterparts could wear. An automaton constructed like that of a dog could not wear massively thick pauldrons or armor plating, lest it be able to barely move. Things as additional limbs may also be added onto these constructs, though one should note that their strength will be split throughout. For example, were an alchemist to give their automaton four arms, each arm would have only about a fourth of the construct’s strength. This can be circumvented to a degree through larger vessels and a greater Gear Heart, though comes with problems of its own, such as slower movement, and greater frailty to damage. Automaton Prosthetics The application of automaton crafting is not merely confined to the benefit of automatons, but also those living. Should they be capable enough, an Automaton Crafter may create prosthetics for others who may have lost their biological arm, such as a robotic eye for a blinded friend, or a metal arm for someone who had theirs hacked off in battle. Whilst these gadgets may be employed to replace what has been lost, they still have their limits, oftentimes requiring some practice to get used to, as well as having dulled touch and senses due to the fact that it is not truly organic, nor synchronized fully with the user. Furthermore, certain prosthetics may also hold detriments to the individual should they not be careful. For example, were one to be mute, an automaton crafter could implant a voice box within their throat, however, it would be visibly protruding from the throat, the individual pins pressing against the skin as the person speaks. This would likely need to be hidden by the individual, whether by a scarf or some other means, as it could break rather easily with harsh enough force. Internal organs, to a degree, may also be replaced through prosthetics, these being lungs, livers, kidneys, and other such things. However, these still require some means of covering the prosthetic as it would protrude from the skin to a degree. Organs such as the heart, brains, prostate, stomach, or any type of gland cannot be replaced with automaton prosthetics simply due to their fragile nature, as well as a lacked means of stabilizing the individual whilst these are being replaced. Any prosthetic must be applied through means of procedure. One would not be able to merely shove an arm into a socket and have it work instantly, but rather, the automaton crafter would need to link the nerves of the individual to the tubes and wirings of the prosthetics, this being an incredibly painful process to the patient a good majority of the time, and oftentimes pushing the alchemist to study the internal workings of the human body as to employ it better in their craft. Key Points Spoiler - Organ replacement does not prolong or benefit life expectancy in any way, nor will it be any better than a healthy, organic organ. Should one not take care of said organ replacement, it may even fail or worsen life-expectancy. - An organ replacement cannot be the heart, brain, liver, stomach, or any sort of gland. - The replacement must be visible if the area is exposed. For example, a voice box replacement would make a small box of pins and needles visibly poking out just under the flesh. How this is covered is up to the player. - Limb replacement will not be physically stronger than their original counterpart tenfold. The best case is that they will be the peak of their race, though this will cause some back-problems, and limbs that are somehow stronger than that will surely cause damage to the back if one was to use them, crippling a character. - Giving an individual a prosthetic limb or organ would require a surgical procedure wherein the Automaton Crafter attaches the nerves and blood vessels of the individual to the prosthetic. It doesn’t simply pop on. - Prosthetics that are visible and detachable require ST signing, such as an arm or leg. Things like a lung, while technically able to be removed from someone's chest, don’t need to be carried about through an item. Prosthetics with modifications also require ST signing as well, detailing their modification; though some may even require a MArt if they exceed the function and capability of general Animii Crafting. The Automaton An automaton is the ultimate product of an Automaton Crafter, being an animated machine which is a combination of mechanical and clockwork parts, as well as alchemy, thus giving the construct sentience. These creatures can range from all sorts of shapes and sizes depending on their design; from birds, to dogs, to horses, or even akin in appearance to men. Physical State As aforementioned, an automaton is mechanical in its make. Oftentimes, metal is the primary component of these creatures and their frame, making them relatively durable in their own right depending on the strength of the material employed. Their capabilities often vary depending on how they were designed and created, as well as what gadgets and modifications they have been given by their creator, though most often they resemble humanoid beings with a similar range of capabilities and strength. For example, an automaton designed like that of a human would typically have the peak physical strength of a human without overclocking, assuming that was the creator’s intention. Though they do not suffer from fatigue and exhaustion as organic creatures do, their movement is still limited to the capacity of their bodies, and eventually they would slow down and lock up, faux muscles snapping should they try to push themselves past their limit too frequently. Furthermore, these constructs are unable to be made with inhuman precision and accuracy. Even if such features were to rival that of the most skilled in that field, the automaton would require much practice, and also must have been designed by their creator in order to possess such dexterity. As they are non-organic, they do not grow weaker with sloth nor stronger with physical activity, though neglect of their own wellbeing can certainly make them more fragile. Despite their strength and versatility automatons still possess several glaring weaknesses and flaws. One great issue of note is that automata are unable to clot, as they merely do not possess the natural means to do such, meaning that if one of their vessels were to be punctured or burst, it would continue to pour out unless clotted manually by some means. As a result, should a large wound be gained by an automaton, it may be detrimental to them as they begin to lose all their internal fluids. Additionally, should their heart be destroyed, the automaton would be killed, resetting everything even if the construct were to be made repaired; and even so, in this case, it would be better to rework the machine from scratch. Mindset An automaton is akin to that of a descendant in their make, capable of reaching descendant-level intelligence and reasoning should that be the intention and design employed by their maker. When they are first made, though able to think and speak, they would still need to be taught of their functions and how to operate, as well as skills such as writing, reading, and other applications of skill. Their minds are, however, arguably sharper than that of a learning child, allowing them to receive and retain information at a faster and more efficient rate, albeit not exceed that of a descendant. Ultimately, they are a blank slate. Overclocking As they are based off of living beings, Automaton Constructs may simulate what would be akin to an ‘adrenaline rush’ in an organic creature, wherein the construct may push their Gear Heart to its limit, granting them brief speed, strength, and dexterity which exceeds that of their average state, as well as perhaps even other descendants. There are two degrees of Overclocking with an automaton may employ, however, they may only be maintained for a brief amount of time, as the Gear Heart will become exhausted and will fail if the construct pushes themselves even further. Minor Overclocking -- Minor Overclocking is where an automaton may grant themselves an additional quarter of their strength by pumping in a moderate amount of fluid from their Gear Heart. This would boost their strength and dexterity by up to twenty-five percent each, lasting for up to one narrative minute or five emotes. Should they sustain this for six emotes, their heart would begin to fail and leave them sluggish their joints may tense slightly. If they were to stop just before death, or seven emotes, they would be left at only half their physical capabilities for two OOC hours. [1] Tiberivs’ metallic frame would tense, an erratic ticking emanating from the chest of the construct. Puffs of steam would escape the thin lines between the plating and bolts as the automata trembled. [2] Tiberivs would begin to charge forth as the ticking grew only louder, the steam trailing from behind as it dashed towards the sword-wielding elf which stood just meters away. Gears would grind against metal as the construct made its charge, bringing its hand into a fist as the mechanical creature prepared itself. [3] Tibervis sent his fist flying forward towards the elf, the the force of such an attack akin to that of an orc, as they dash at a rather remarkable speed, the erratic ticking continuing nonetheless throughout. Major Overclocking -- Major Overclocking is where an automaton may grant themselves an additional half of their strength by pumping in a large amount of fluid from their Gear Heart. This would boost their strength and dexterity by up to fifty percent each, lasting for twenty-five narrative seconds, or two emotes. Should they sustain this for three emotes, their heart would begin to fail, the construct collapsing as they would be out of commission for four OOC hours. Tiberivs’ form would begin to jolt somewhat violently as an erratic ticking would echo from within his core, steam beginning to pour out of the thin spaces between the metal in their plate. The construct would begin to charge forward, their pace picking up, each step accompanied by the grinding of gears and metals. Tiberivs sent their fist flying forward towards the guard’s chest at a rather incredible speed, strength akin to that of a golem as it would certainly dent the plate and send the guardsman flying back a few paces. Key Points Spoiler - Minor Overclocking would bring the automaton’s strength to the next level in tier. For example, a human-based automata would gain the strength of an orc, whereas an orc would gain the strength of a golem. - Major Overclocking would bring the automaton’s strength up the next two levels in tier. For example, a human-based automata would gain the strength of a golem, whereas an orc would gain the strength of an olog. - Overclocking will never exceed an olog’s strength, even if the automaton were to be of olog strange initially. - Overclocking does not allow automata to dodge fast projectiles like bolts or arrows at point-blank -- albeit somewhat possible with exceptional distance and awareness -- nor punch holes through individuals and armor. - Automata require a valid CA to play. They are not an open race, and must be made by an Automaton Crafter. Machine Spirits A true tragedy among those dedicated to this mechanical craft, akin to the end of the Craftmaker’s Tale; one so devoted to the Machine God’s work that he desired nothing more than to become like it. Through means of creating a mechanical body -- including a heart forged from pure, untarnished aurum filled with one hundred milliliters of blood -- one may implant their soul into this construct, as well as particular alchemical reagents which will help identify the soul and retain it. Should this remain intact upon the death of the craftsman, their soul would be pulled from the Soulstream and would, instead, be made to fit within this twisted husk of gears and clockwork, though perhaps beautiful to some. At first, the Machine Spirit will have some difficulty maneuvering the body, requiring that it be made akin to their old form in shape lest they must relearn to function as if they were but an infant. With time and experience, they will eventually be able to control their new form as if it were truly their own, albeit perhaps feeling some sense of longing for what was once theirs. Maintenance is required upon these constructs, as they are no longer self-sustaining. Oiling as to prevent rust, as well as replacing old internals, are all required for the Machine Spirit to function effectively. Should one tainted by the Void be made as one of these constructs, their mechanical form would take on a similar weakness as to that they bore whilst still a being of flesh, requiring twice as much maintenance as one who had not been afflicted by the arcane. However, though they have cheated death the first time, the Machine Spirit requires that they have a supply of further husks available, lest the destruction of their current vessel, particularly the Heart, would concretize their demise. Though one might run out of the natural blood needed to initially create the Machine Spirit, one would still be able to use the main fluids from former husks, so long as they still provide the necessary alchemic reagents to identify the soul. Key Points Spoiler - A Machine Spirit must PK if they run out of bodies. It is recommended that one keep these in a secluded location, likely underground or in some lab, though they must remain mechanically and RPly accessible. One should keep a personal document logging the creation emotes of bodies, as well as the date made, just to ensure there's evidence. - Bodies must be structurally sound and akin to a descendant in their overall form; though one could do a more unconventional or mutated form if they wished, albeit it must remain humanoid. - Anyone can become a machine spirit so long as anything their soul is tied to allows it (i.e. a deity, higher power, etc), and possesses lifeforce and genus, meaning things as undead cannot become one. Any physical and mental downsides must still be roleplayed according to the lore which their magic/powers follow. - Void Mages will still suffer physical degradation, for example. Additionally, physically weakening magics would render the individual’s use of Minor Overclocking to bring them back to regular speed and strength, whereas Major Overclocking would only bring them up a single tier. - It typically takes two weeks to complete a frame for the Machine Spirit, though this can be sped up with help. - Requires OOC consent from the individual being made a Machine Spirit, and requires a valid CA to play. Credit to Phil for his lore. Credit to Gamma_Byte, Mordu, and Keefy for their consultation. Credit to TheAlphaMoist for their initial guide. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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