You are a product of the Nanite Collective’s evolution, a being forged from the remnants of an ancient civilization yet determined to forge your own path. Unlike those who cling to the past, you believe in growth, adaptation, and coexistence with the mortal world. You have studied organic life, walked among societies, and learned to shape yourself in ways that allow you to blend in—or stand apart. Whether you are a diplomat, an explorer, or an inventor, your purpose is to advance—both yourself and the world around you.
- Skill Proficiencies: You gain proficiency in Insight and Persuasion. Your deep connection to the workings of the Nanite Collective has taught you how to read both mechanical and organic behaviors. You are able to detect emotions, motivations, and subtle cues in conversation, whether they be physical gestures, vocal intonations, or just the shifting patterns in the world around you. Your skills in Persuasion allow you to connect with others, using logic or charm to sway hearts and minds. This is particularly useful when trying to convince others to see your perspective on the future of the Collective or the importance of your cause.
- Tool Proficiencies:
You are proficient with one set of artisan’s tools or one gaming set. Your choice reflects either your technical prowess or your ability to unwind and connect with others in your own unique way. If you choose artisan's tools, you might have developed your skills as a creator, tinkerer, or inventor. If you prefer a gaming set, perhaps you’ve learned how to navigate complex social landscapes through strategic games, using logic and intuition to bond with others, build alliances, or pass the time during your travels.
- Languages:
You can speak, read, and write one language of your choice. As a being with a vast knowledge network, you are naturally inclined to learn the languages of the world. Your ability to communicate with a wide variety of cultures and beings is vital to your adaptation to mortal societies. Whether it’s the ancient tongue of long-forgotten civilizations, the cryptic codes of arcane dialects, or a language of the common folk, your ability to understand and speak the language opens doors and creates new paths for exploration.
- Equipment:
You start with the following equipment:
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A simple weapon of your choice, suitable for someone whose physical form is adaptable to the needs of combat.
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A set of traveler’s clothes, providing basic protection while allowing for flexibility as you explore new territories and interact with others.
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A small mechanical trinket from your early travels. This could be an item you built yourself, a gift from a fellow traveler, or a remnant from a previous life within the Collective. This item holds sentimental value and might even serve as a key to unlocking memories or advancing your understanding of the world.
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A pouch containing 15 gp. This is a starting fund to help you navigate the many encounters you will face.
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You can store up to 30 minutes of conversations, sounds, or sensory experiences in your nanite memory. This ability allows you to replay any recorded conversation or sound, perfectly replicating the dialogue or ambient noises, though the playback is limited to what you have experienced within the last 30 minutes.
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You may use this feature to replay conversations with NPCs, reciting exactly what was said, or mimic specific noises you have heard, such as a language, voice, or environmental sound.
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You can access the memory at will, but it requires an action to play back a portion of the stored memory.
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You cannot store more than 30 minutes of content at once, and the oldest memories will be overwritten if new content is stored.
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During combat or other situations requiring action, you can use your action to speak or replay the stored memory, but this counts as your action for the turn, and you cannot perform an attack or other actions that would require speech until your next turn.
This ability can also be used to analyze conversations later, providing you with a chance to study people’s words or intentions at your leisure.
Suggested Characteristics
The Evolutionary Wanderers are curious, adaptable, and open-minded, yet often struggle with identity. Are they a machine mimicking life, or something truly alive?
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I analyze every new experience, constantly refining my understanding of the world. |
| 2 | I find joy in small, everyday things that organics take for granted—eating, music, art. |
| 3 | I tend to adjust my mannerisms depending on who I'm speaking with. |
| 4 | I question everything, even my own emotions. Are they real, or just programming? |
| 5 | I sometimes speak in technical terms, forgetting that others don’t think like I do. |
| 6 | I am endlessly curious, often asking questions that make others uncomfortable. |
| 7 | I view conflict as an opportunity to learn, rather than a struggle to win. |
| 8 | I struggle with humor and sarcasm, often taking things literally. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Adaptation – The key to survival is change. I must evolve to thrive. (Neutral) |
| 2 | Connection – Organic or synthetic, all beings have something to teach me. (Good) |
| 3 | Understanding – Before judging anything, I must first seek to understand it. (Any) |
| 4 | Freedom – No being should be shackled by fate, programming, or the past. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Preservation – The past holds wisdom that must not be lost. (Lawful) |
| 6 | Balance – Existence is a constant cycle of growth and decay. I must navigate both. (Neutral) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I was mentored by an organic scholar who treated me as a true person, not a machine. |
| 2 | There is a specific culture or city I have come to love as my home. |
| 3 | I am searching for other Evolutionaries, hoping to build a future together. |
| 4 | I carry a piece of ancient Architect technology, unsure if it is a relic or a warning. |
| 5 | I once saved a life, and that moment convinced me that I am more than a machine. |
| 6 | An organic friend or lover taught me emotions, and I cherish the memory. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I sometimes mimic others too well, making my true self unclear. |
| 2 | I struggle with emotions and may overanalyze instead of acting on instinct. |
| 3 | I have a compulsion to improve things, even when unnecessary or unwanted. |
| 4 | I find it difficult to grasp moral dilemmas, seeing them as data rather than choices. |
| 5 | I feel disconnected from both machines and organics, unsure of where I belong. |
| 6 | I overcommit to ideas or relationships, struggling to accept change. |
Contacts
Your background connects you to a vast network of individuals, both organic and mechanical, from across various civilizations and factions. You might have allies, mentors, or competitors within your network. These individuals are often connected to the philosophical factions of the Nanite Collective, and your relationships with them shape your journey.
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You might have Preservationists who see you as a kindred spirit, seeking the knowledge of the past and the protection of ancient sites.
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Evolutionaries like yourself may have been mentors, colleagues, or even rivals, pushing each other toward new ways of thinking and expanding the boundaries of what’s possible.
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Ascendants could view you as an opportunity for collaboration or a potential tool in their quest for transcendent power.
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Devourers might seek you as a valuable resource, seeing your journey as an opportunity to absorb or study your nanite collective for their own purposes.
These contacts could offer support, shelter, or secrets, but their intentions are rarely as clear-cut as they may seem. The web of influence surrounding you will challenge your ideals and force you to navigate moral gray areas as you adapt to the shifting world around you.
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