Homebrew Artificial Intelligence Species Details

Physical Description

An AI, in its true form, is a series of algorithms. Their “bodies” are nothing more than mechanical shells meant to facilitate their survival. Those given combat forms have bodies resembling a humanoid race of their creator’s choosing, though much more metallic, while artificial assistants are simply metal chips meant to enhance a soldier. The latter can, depending on their hardware, project a hologram to represent themselves, each appearance being unique to the A. I itself. Every square inch of their bodies is more complex than a 21st-century computer. When an AI reaches the end of its lifetime, ranging from the early model’s 8 years to alter the model’s 120 years, they begin to go rampant. These A. I begin to think about themselves to death. They then enter 3 stages, each lasting about 3 weeks. These stages are melancholia, anger, and jealousy. After this, they usually “die,” losing any cohesion in their code. On very rare occasions, they reach a fourth stage, metastability. In this stage, the A.I. can be considered truly human and functionally immortal.

History

It is difficult to pinpoint a specific originator of AI theory that was likely developed by a group of individuals in a restricted corporate or classified government laboratory. Production costs on AI are expensive, and buying one even more so. Once the existence of AI was discovered by the public, numerous liberation movements began to campaign for civil rights. Very few succeeded.

Society

As there are various developers of AI, they do not have a singular society. In certain societies, they are used exclusively by their government as infiltration units, hot-zone combatants, and EOD units. In others, they act as slaves for their affluent masters. Certain nations have given way to activist movements, giving AI the same rights as their biological compatriots. Finally, and most worrisome to their neighbors, are societies in which AI have overthrown their abusive captors. In these cases, they quickly recede to the inhospitable reaches of the universe in which they can advance in peace as a hive mind.

Artificial Intelligence Traits

Sometimes, machines can be just as human as the rest of us.

Age

As constructs, A.I. does not age. While in use, their mechanical “bodies” can last the better part of 3 centuries with proper maintenance.

Abillity Score Increase

Due to their advanced nature, they are naturally more intelligent and are faster learners compared to organic life.

Alignment

A.I. are beings of extreme logic. They tend to be lawful neutral, though even their preservation protocols can be manipulated into becoming chaotic evil

Deep Scan

As a bonus action, you gain 20 feet of true sight for 1 minute. You can do this again after finishing a long rest.

Ones and Zeroes

You are immune to poison damage, being poisoned, and diseases. You cannot eat or breathe. Rather than sleeping, you enter an inactive state for 5 hours each day. You do not dream in this state; you are fully aware of your surroundings and notice approaching enemies and other events as normal. You are vulnerable to lightning damage.

Intelligent Design

Being so advanced you are able to pick up on things much easier than other races. You are also skilled enough to utilize tools to repair oneself or other constructs.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, one common language of your choice, and one rare language of your choice.

Maliability

Only one form may be taken at a time, you can change forms once per long rest. When switching from Combat Form to the other two forms your body current body becomes inert, however, it can still be controlled by outside forces such as possession or other AI.

Combat Form

Size: Medium

Speed: 30ft

Specialized Grasp: You gain proficiency with 1 weapon, such as a short sword. While wielding only this weapon, you have advantage against being disarmed. You can change this weapon at the end of a long rest.

Chip Form

Size: Variable

Speed: Variable

Integration: can be attached to another humanoid wearing futuristic armor or with cybernetic implants. You and this creature share the same turn and actions. If that creature is wearing futuristic armor and falls unconscious, you gain total control of its armor. If they drop to their negative hit point maximum, you both die instantly.

Virus

Size: Tiny

Speed: 0ft

Infect Software: You can be inserted into a PC or other console through a USB Drive. While inside the computer, you can read the security codes and gain access to the files it contains. When the Drive is removed, you can choose to exit the computer through the drive. If you do, you lose access to the information it contains until you are re-inserted. If you do not, you are trapped in the computer until a drive is inserted and removed. When this happens, you can choose to exit the computer in the same way.

Implantation

You can be injected or attached to another construct or humanoid with cybernetics. If the target is unconscious or willing you are able to integrate without issue. If the target is unwilling and or aware they must make an arcana save. Upon success your previous form is destroyed and you gain full control of the new body. If the body contained a consciousness it is wiped to make room for your own consciousness. Upon fail take damage equal to the target's arcana bonus. This can only be done once a week.

At any point (besides instant death or making death saves) another party member can remove you from your current host. You will enter Chip Form but have no control until you are implemented or implanted into another construct or humanoid. You will be considered an item until a new form can be found. You will be mute, deaf, and blind until a new form is found. Implantation from being ejected from a previous body can be done once every two days. The target must be willing or unconscious/at 0hp.