Homebrew Protogen Species Details

What is a Protogen?

Pronunciation: /'prəʊtəʊ, dʒen/ | 'Prow-toe-jen'

Protogens are a cyborg Alien species found in Zenith's Outer Reach (ZOR), a mammalian based creature created artificially for space & planetary exploration. Protogens vary depending on the 'DNA infusion' levels allowing Protogens to have an array of features & functions to help serve their purpose.

Core features of a Protogen include a visor display face, artificial chest & hip region, biological ears, and a mix of artificial/biological limbs. These are the most distinguishable features to identify a Protogen.

 

DNA Origin & Species History

The production and creation of Protogens started in the 12th Cycle of ZOR. The Primogenitors wanted to create a sentient modular being with the ability to learn and adapt to the universe, without the constant upkeep needed for artificial life. At the time, AI, while being very efficient, struggled to learn and adapt to a forever changing world, and would conclude biological life to be inefficient. Scientists turned to biological and cybernetic fusion as the alternative.

The DNA of Protogens originates from a Synapsid species located within the Reddus Nebula. The specifics of this species have been classified by Primogenitor scientists, but available extracts of research show that these creatures were adaptable to most environments. This makes them the most optimal choice for space & planetary exploration. Once the ideal DNA was acquired, Primogenitor scientists worked on 'PROJECT ARC'; ARC - Artificial Remote Control. Scientists infused microcrystalline 'Arcaites' in the cerebral fluid of the Protogen, allowing total mind control over the specimen. This allowed Primogenitors total domination and control over the new species, and halted the AI uprisings.

By the beginning of the 13th Cycle of ZOR, Protogen production had increased as a demand for manual labour and military use peaked. Protogens were very efficient in filling these drone-like roles as the Arcaites kept them in a subservient state, dubbing them the worker bee of the galaxy. They were treated very similar to AI as the stigma around their artificial creation and lack of free will gave them no individual rights. This unfortunately resulted in many Protogens being abandoned or destroyed after their purpose was served.

Protogen that were further developed with complex features were often subjected to Arcaite instabilities. These experiments were to create a more elite class of Protogen with even more functionality. The additions of multiple limbs, flight functions, and complex mutations often overloaded control systems, causing Arcaites to short out early on after complete development. This resulted in the Protogen overruling their subservient behaviour, becoming uncontrollable and dangerous to their masters. These elite class Protogen (RARES) were considered the rarest of the species as their additional features and mutations made them more powerful than most Protogen.

During this Cycle, it was observed that some abandoned Protogen had started small colonies on one of the moons of ESMIRE 4. These communities had very little resources and were seen as harmless to the Primogenitors. In secret, the fugitive Elites (RARES) had begun to develop skills in Arcai; An ancient dimensional power that allows energy manipulation and magical kinetic abilities. This allowed Protogens to nullify the infused Arcaites and reach a state of free consciousness. Harnessing this power led to many Arcaite instabilities which were previously observed only in RARES and, ultimately, a rebellion movement formed.

The Protogen rebellion lead to a segregation within the Primogenitor race. Some considered the experiment and creation a complete failure while others commended the advancement of a functional artificially created species. The separation gave birth to two factions: The Syantika & The Nehixim. The Syantika wish for a peaceful coexistence with their creation, while the Nehixim wish to reconfigure or terminate the remaining 'defective' Protogen.

While the turbulence between the two main factions of Primogenitors (Syantika and Nehixim Advancers) continues, Protogens have created their own society on one of ESMIRE 4's moons. The moon known as E1 was terraformed and became the capitol for the Protogen species. Protogens have been able to freely live and thrive on the moon, allowing them to continue to master and study Arcai. Mutual agreements made between the Protogen and the Primogenitors have allowed a semi-peaceful symbiotic relationship. ESMIRE 4 still holds control of all Protogen production and continues to improve PROJECT ARC.

 

 

Protogen Traits

Your Protogen character has the following traits. A few of the traits give you a choice; consider how your choice reflects the purpose for which your character was built.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age

Since Protogen are able to continuously upgrade parts there is no particular age limit, the limiting factor will be the Protogen's ability to access the necessary upgrades in order to continue function. Organ transplant and artificial procedures can help a Protogen to continue to operate at fully functional capacity. Failure to replace old organic or mechanical parts may cause the Protogen to lose function, or worst case scenario, death. 

Alignment

Most Protogen take comfort in order and discipline, tending toward law and neutrality. But some have absorbed the morality, or lack thereof, of the beings with which they served.

Size

The standard species height for Protogens is 120 - 180 cm (Roughly 4 to 6 ft) with a weight range of 40 kg to 100 kg (88 lbs to 220 lbs). Weight will vary on biological make-up. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Protogenic Resilience

You were created to have remarkable fortitude, represented by the following benefits:

• 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 magic can’t put you to sleep.

Protogenic System Reorganization

Protogens do not require sleep but intermittent breaks and restarts allow time for firmware updates. A Protogen can go into a hibernation mode if needed (In case of emergency or inactive use). When you take a long rest, you must spend at least six hours in an inactive, motionless state, rather than sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but it doesn’t render you unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal.

Integrated Protection

Your body has built-in defensive layers, which can be enhanced with armor:

• You gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class.
• You can don only armor with which you have proficiency. To don armor other than a shield, you must incorporate it into your body over the course of 1 hour, during which you remain in contact with the armor. To doff armor, you must spend 1 hour removing it. You can rest while donning or doffing armor in this way.
• While you live, the armor incorporated into your body can’t be removed against your will.

Specialized Design

You gain one skill proficiency and one tool proficiency of your choice.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Protogenic, and one other language of your choice.