Homebrew Automata Species Details

 

Alchemy.

The dangerous and untrodden border of Science and magic. Here a brave few strike out to seek enlightenment and find the very pillars in which the natural and supernatural are built on. At the glowing heart of this mysterious field is the mystery of life and the philosopher's stone.

The dream of the alchemist to discover the secret to the creation of life is held within the confines of the philosopher's stone, and often this secret is breathed into the Mythril and gold frames of the mysterious and powerful Automata. Born of the steel of the Gods and Set with that magical stone, the automata are the culmination of an alchemist's life work, true children of the toils of genius and innovation

Beings of Steel

If you were to encounter an automaton in person, you'd simply think them an unnaturally pale humanoid. Beneath their conjured skin, however, rests a set of extremely durable (but not invincible) set of Mechanical 'guts', complex and unique to the engineering tastes of their creator.

Since they are made of metal. An automaton can live for many many hundreds of thousands of years, the oldest of them have ascended or descended from this mortal plane to take residence amongst the Assimar of Teiflings of the forgotten realms. As such are strikingly rare amongst mortals in the realms of men, their numbers in some eras being able to be counted on 10 fingers.

 

As Malleable as Iron

Young Automata are wide-eyed and idealistic. With their ideals untainted, they strike at the world with curious and childlike hearts. If they are under the kind and just watch, they excel at the roles of paladins or mages with their strong sense of Justice and love of Knowledge.

However, if they are met with a cruel and thorny world, they may turn to evil, adopting the life of a warlord. Many a terror was born of the cruel treatment of a young automaton.

 

Children of scholars

If you were to look for an automaton, your best bet would be in the halls of a monastery, or in a place of learning. You would find them under the tutelage of their scholarly fathers or mothers, eagerly learning all they can before striking out on their own on a journey of enlightenment.

AUTOMATA BACKGROUNDS

Automata are often modeled after their creators, and may look like any number of species in appearance. This of course means that their size is usually different and may vary heavily. ONe thing is shared amongst these children of science; that is a love of their father.

 

Almost all automata Have Scholarly backgrounds, though those that are orphaned by elderly mages and shunned by society may be Herments or Outlanders.

Automata Names

Automata use the naming conventions of their creator's culture. They might later assume distinctive names That they choose themselves should they see fit.

 

Automata Traits

Your Automaton character will have some traits in common with other automata.

Languages

As a rule, an automaton can speak Common and the language of their creator.

Weakness

Your metal body is, unfortunately, an excellent conductor. You are weaker to Lightning based magic and weapons.

Blink

Fleet-footed and faster than normal, you are Able to, once per short rest, expend a burst of energy to move a distance of up to 70 feet in an instant.

Action Surge

Starting at level 3, by expending a burst of energy from your core, your metallic joints move at blinding speed allowing you a second action. (Once per short rest)

Ability Score Decrease

Being rather naive and new to the world, your constitution and wisdom are lowered.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and Dexterity increase by 2 and 3 respectively

Age

Automaton do not age. If allowed to repair themselves, their lifespans are as indefinite as the setting and rising of the sun.

Alignment

Generally curious and new to the world, a Young Automaton is usually Good. But past their infancy, Automata can be anywhere from good to evil.

Size

Automata vary in size greatly, as their form greatly relies on their creator's ability to sculpt at different sizes. While automaton the size of pixies have been told of, and mechanical giants the size of Goliath have been passed down through legend, most automata are roughly humanoid, therefore medium. But size varies from small to large.

Speed

Made of Steel and magic, your joints move like lightning. Your base walking speed is 60 feet.