Homebrew Exo-Mind Species Details

The Exos were built during humanity's Golden Age for a long forgotten struggle, possibly against the Vex, with the purpose of protecting their creators. Rasputin was once involved in their command, a fact that some Exos dimly remember. The conflict itself has long been forgotten and the Exo remain ciphers, even to themselves, for their purpose has been forgotten as well. But there is one clue to their origins; many Exos experience a dream they call Deep Stone Crypt, or the "place where they were born." It is described as "the infamous subroutine which seeded the first Exo consciousness." Cayde-6's memories stretch further, where he recalls being a human before traveling to Enceladus, an icy moon of Saturn, to become an Exo, as he "came there in flesh and bone. Gave everything to the ice. Started over. Rebooted."

The Exo is a robotic body with an uploaded human consciousness. The technology to encode the latter into the former was developed by Clovis Bray. This existence is not naturally sustainable; early Exos suffered from a condition known as Dissociative Exomind Rejection (DER), a serious and ultimately fatal cognitive disorder caused by the human mind rejecting its new body.

Clovis Bray discovered that DER could be staved off by two particular methods. The first was the "reboot", erasing the mind's memories post-transfer so that it would not remember its old body and so better accept the new one. While effective, it was not a cure, and the reboot procedure would often be repeated several times over the Exo's life. It would also be used for functional purposes, such as restoring Exos whose minds had become "compromised". Successive reboots cumulatively eroded an Exo's mind and their ability to retain any memories at all. Clovis Bray estimated that the maximum number of times an Exo could be rebooted was around 20. Every Exo has a number appended to their name that signifies the number of reboots they have experienced.

The second method Clovis Bray used to prevent DER was to introduce familiar organic conceits into the Exo's mechanical body, such as the drive to eat or reproduce. While these "humanisms" were not functionally necessary, they nevertheless reduced the chances of DER developing.

Exos appear unyielding and tireless. Mechanically, they are so advanced that no one can comprehend their inner workings. In many ways, Exos like to think of themselves as human, or having human minds in machine bodies.

Exo-Mind Traits

As an Exo you gain the following traits.

Exo Sleep

When sleeping Exo's dream of their previous Iterations. while sleeping an Exo is counted the same as any other sleeping creature but typically don't sleep longer than 6 hours. An Exo that refrains from sleeping can develop DER and lose their humanity.

Ability Score Increase

Your Machine body is Tough, and depending on construction Strong or Nimble. Your Constitution score is increased by 2, and your Strength, or Dexterity score are increased by 2

Age

Exos do not age, but are made from adult humans.

Size

Exos are the same size as humans but weight anywhere from 250 to 500 Lb depending on build. Your size is medium.

Speed

Exos have the same base speed as humans at 30 feet.

Languages

You speak, read, and write common and one other Language.

Machine Eyes

Exo's have Mechanical eyes that can perceive infrared Light allowing you to see 120 feet in complete darkness.

Tireless Machine Body

You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage. You are immune to disease.  You don’t need to sleep and don’t suffer the effects of exhaustion due to lack of rest, and magic can’t put you to sleep. you can't get drunk and you don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe, however you do have the desire to eat drink breath and sleep.

Armored Body

Your machine construction gives you "natural" protection. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.