Homebrew Tech-Priest Species Details

Cult of the Machine

All Tech-Priests originate as members of the cult of machine which believes in the inherent divinity of constructs and other technology. The cult also believes in the divinity of knowledge and focuses much of its efforts on collecting forgotten  knowledge.  As a result the cult often send large spelljammers out into The Flow in the hope of finding new or old technology by various means and have been known to conduct raids on other factions to extract knowledge, raids are particularly focused The Beholder Sovereignty and The Illithid Union.  The cult is insular only mixing with outsiders to purchase supplies and gather knowledge, it is incredibly rare for outsiders to be invited onto a mechanicus ship let alone become cult members. The Cult of the Machine is lead  by the Fabricator General who resides deep within the labyrinth of factories of the tech-priest home-world, their orders are carried out by a number of Archmagi who send Magi and ordinary tech-priests out into the universe to deliver the Fabricator Generals will. Most exploratory Spelljammers are captained by a Magos with a crew of tech-priests and constructs serving under them. On the rare occasion of an Archmagos venturing out they captain a massive vessel which is often escorted by multiple exploratory vessels.

The Omnissiah 

The cult of the machine  worships the Omnissiah also called the Machine God which they believe to be the FONT of all knowledge and technology, while the magic of the tech-priests powers their machines it is the spark from the Omnissiah that makes them work. This belief shapes how tech-priest interact with technology with elaborate rituals being preformed alongside maintenance, alongside the blessing of new weapons and machinery. These practices typically involves anointing with oil and the burning of incense along with a various chant and prayers. 

Technophiles

While originally humanoid in appearance most Tech-priest who have left their home-world have already been heavily modified either as a result of accident and illness or to simply enhance themselves. A majority of tech-priests will have one or more of these physical alterations:

•  Mechadendrites: Large mechanical tendrils attached to the tech-priests spine
• Bionic Eyes: One or both of the original eyes will be replaced multiple new bionic substitutes 
• Bionic Limbs/ Organs: Replacements for parts that were lost or deemed too weak, function better than those lost 
• Autosanguination: The blood is drained and replaced by a  more efficient chemical 
• Inbuilt Respirator and Vox-Casters:  The upper respiratory system is replaced including the vocal cords

As a general rule the older a tech-priest the more heavily modified they are with some possessing none of their original body.

Hereteks 

Those who are excommunicated for the Cult of the Machine for dabbling in forbidden technology or dark magic have to make there own way in the universe without the benefits and resources the cult provides. Like minded individuals may form loose groups and continue there quest for forbidden knowledge, while others seek the employ of pirates who find their expertise invaluable. The outcasts must always stay vigilant though as the cult is known to execute and hereteks they discover onsite., many hereteks driven from major settlements find work with beholders and mindflayers which share their thirst for knowledge.

Names

Tech-Priests often have Latin based names though higher ranking members may only be referred to by their rank.

Names: Bellasarius, Inar, Delphan, Vianco, Varnak, Arkhan

Tech-Priest Traits

Through study, mechanical additions and the blessing of the Omnissiah you have the following traits

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. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Mechadendrites

• Omnissiah's Embrace: When using your mechadendrites to grapple use your intelligence modifier instead of your strength modifier 
• Omnissiah's Design:  You gain one skill proficiency and one tool proficiency of your choice
• Omnissiah's Blessing: As a bonus action you can use a tendril to cast shocking grasp

Language

Through your study of foreign texts you are familiar with common and an additional language 

Ability Score Increase

Due to your study of knowledge and mechanical components you gain an increase to intelligence and constitution  

Age

The same mechanisms that serve a tech-priest in life also help to stave of death with failing organs being replaced with mechanical ones allowing tech-priest to live extraordinarily long if supplied with the proper parts 

Alignment

The cult tends to shy away from terms like good or evil in the pursuit of knowledge, though there are some lines they will not cross and can result in excommunication.

Size

The height variation withing tech-priests is mainly due to the range of different prosthesis used to replace legs 

Speed

Despite all the adaptations most tech-priests still walk relatively normally

Autosanguination

You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage along with immunity to diseases.

Mechanical Adept

Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to the origin of mechanics you are considered proficient in the History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.