Homebrew Automaton Species Details

Created not by a god, not by magic, but by pure science, an automaton is a construct designed to emulate life. Gears and cogs turn within their carapaces. Thinking, processing, learning. Depending on the creator, an automaton may have a very life-like face or a single curved surface with holes where the optical sensors reside. Automatons can be modelled after any of the races, usually human or elf is the standard choice. However, if the creator wants a strong servant, they may be modelled after an orc or a half-orc. If they want a nimble spy, the automaton may be modelled after a halfling.

Created in Their Image

As stated before, every automaton is created by a person or even a team of people. Usually, the body and general appearance of the automaton is based on the race of the creator(s). This is not the case if the automaton is made for a specific purpose, of course. If an automaton designed for infiltration, assassination or quick escapes, they will sport an agile, athletic body; Akin to that of an Elf, or Halfling. Alternatively, an automaton may be made with protection, defence or offence as the main priority. automatons built this way have thick-built muscular bodies, modelled in the way of half-orcs, dwarves or brawny humans. In rare cases, automatons are constructed for personal purposes, such as a friend, companion or even an intimate partner, these Automatons are crafted to embody the most appealing physical appearance of either gender of any race desired. More often than not, automatons built for intimate relations have over-exaggerated body parts, large genitalia, oversized breasts and buttocks, these automatons are the most frowned upon. Most often, automatons have a thin outer layer of metal sheets that hide the inner-workings of the machine. Designed to imitate skin as well as protecting the automaton's insides. This outer layer, or "metal skin", will emulate that of a male or female body, shaped to the creator's wishes. The metal sheets are not connected in places like the abdominal section of the torso or shoulders but slide over each other to allow joint movement. These sheets can be made from any range of metals from iron to bronze, brass, silver or even (in rare cases) adamantine. The heads and faces of the automatons are surrounded by the same material but do not compare as well to real-life faces as the bodies do. The faces of automatons struggle to show emotion, this is mirrored by the automatons' inability to feel emotion. Automatons very rarely have moving eyebrows, or cheeks. Their lips are stiff, and eyes shallow. Normally only the chin and lower lip move to simulate speech. When an automaton is made with a specific purpose, such as carrying crates or firing a weapon, their hands will be crafted to only do those things. An automaton design to fire a bow will only have the fingers necessary to fire a bow. An automaton designed to carry large crates might not have fingers at all.

A New Technology

In the grand scheme of things, automatons are a relatively new creation. For many cultures and societies, science and technology have not yet come as far as to imitate life in such a way, without the aid of magic or gods. Despite their recent relevance, word spreads very quickly that an automaton is roaming the streets. Many people, especially the religious and arcane adept, fear what you mean for them. If gods or magic are not needed to create, have their purposes been a lie? Have they wasted the years away at tasks that will one day become obsolete? Workers and labourers do not welcome the new technologies, as they fear that if they are indeed better than they are, one day the labourers will no longer have jobs. The automatons may very well take the jobs real people once used to feed their families.

Entirely Unique

Emulating life can only get you so far in society. Because of this, if an automaton is left to roam freely, they find it very hard to integrate into society. An automaton left to their own devices is not a common thing, however. More often then not, an automaton is built for a purpose. If this is the case, they will not steer from this purpose. It is what they were made for it is what they will do until they are given a new purpose. Some arrogant scientists create automatons to flaunt their intellectual prowess. These automatons are they kind that are most life-like, created for the spectacle, rather than anything of much worth. automatons with the purpose of dazzling and amazing crowds are often seen as just that, a clever trick of an even cleverer man. And thus, is the life of an automaton, either loved or hated without cause, without care. Seen as either a spectacle or an atrocity. A wonderful creation of art and science, or an unsettling attempt at something not quite real. At times when an automaton creator dies, they must find a new purpose. A lone automaton will wander the streets until it finds someone who will take them in, or work that they can do. Some automaton is gifted with the ability to understand and perform acts of arcane magic, some are given new skills and abilities to explore. Others are captured as slaves, forced to work, or fight. Learning nothing new, living life as empty as before. These are in fact, the best-case scenarios, since more often than not, an automaton left to roam, alone without a master, will succumb to the violence of fear and ignorance. Destroyed before they can become more than what they were made for.

Automaton Traits

Conscious and aware machines, made not by magic or divine power, but by science.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength and Dexterity scores increase by 1.

Age

A well looked after automaton can live almost indefinitely. However, rust and cracked gears start to become a major problem between their first and third centuries.

Alignment

Automatons at creation are True Neutral. It is only through experience that they begin to develop a personality and thus an alignment, whether that be good, evil, lawful or chaotic. However, due to their mechanical nature, automatons often develop lawful alignments.

Size

You are the same size as your creator, or as the race, they intended you to be modelled after. Your size is either Small or Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Lock and Load

You are capable of handling and using advanced weaponry with ease as you are a machine as well, making firearms an option of weaponry for you. You have proficiency in the usage of a pistol, hunting rifle, automatic rifle, and shotgun.

Rocket Thrust

There are built-in rocket thrusters in your feet. You have the ability of unrestricted flight for 30 ft but must land at the end of your turn.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. Having built-in night vision lenses in your optical sensors, you can see in shades of green in darkness.

Metallic Skin

As you are covered by plates of metal, you do not see the need for armour. When unarmored, your Armor Class is equal to 13 + your Dexterity modifier.

Languages

You can speak, read and write only two languages that your creator spoke, which are typically Common and another language of your choice.