Homebrew Starbound - Glitch Species Details

Despite being incredibly advanced robots, Glitch society is quite literally medieval. Built by an unknown race eons ago to simulate organic life and society, something went wrong and the Glitch got caught in an unending loop where they would not advance past the "stone castles and agrarian villages" stage. Just how long the Glitch have been locked in this state is unknown; empires have risen and fallen, and the citizenry just keeps trundling on at their assigned tasks year after year, content in their work, and letting the universe pass them by.

The Glitch themselves look like something constructed in the dark ages, their simplistic exteriors belying the stunningly enhanced programming that keeps them running. Glitch knights are not constructed any hardier than a mere automato farmer, so warriors don bulky steel armor and carry old-fashioned melee weapons, and sometimes simple bows. They have to eat to draw power, using the released methane from digestion as fuel rather than the actual foodstuffs themselves. Even their "medicine" is meant to simulate organic cures and healing, despite them not physically needing the processes to work this way. As their "faces" are not built to convey expression, Glitch preface their speech with a single-word statement of emotion or intent to make sure their meaning is clear. "Cordial. Happy to meet you!" "Enraged. I'll chop your head off!"

Glitch do die and do procreate, though the latter is decidedly not the same process as it is with biological life-forms. The "parents" choose parts for their "offspring", then enter a trace-like state where the two assemble the new Glitch silently and with a speed and skill not shown in everyday Glitch activities. This process takes several building sessions over the course of weeks, and is performed in private.

Not all Glitch stay within their programming, however. It is not common, but sometimes a Glitch will break free of their coding "blind spots", and become truly self-aware. These individuals are pitied yet shunned, as this self-determination is considered a flaw, detrimental to the smooth operation of the Glitch way of life. These "Outcasts" still retain many of the same psychological quirks of their race despite this awareness, but their sudden yearning to be more than what they were leads them to travel the stars and find their own purpose.

Though most Glitch stay in their villages and castles, a few Glitch splinter groups have formed and spread across the cosmos. The Rainbow Rogues don brilliantly-colored and sparkly capes and cowls, bringing blinding justice wherever they travel. Less virtuous are the battle-hungry All-Seeing Knights, who at least have a code of honor and will fight for those who offer them shelter... unlike the similarly-themed All-Seeing Crusaders, who patrol ruins in Eyepatches across the galaxy and attack anyone within sight.

Starbound - Glitch Traits

Glitch. Much can be said about them, but we'll keep it simple. You like being tough? That's them. They are fantastic warriors, and unsurpassed in tanking.

Medieval combat training

You gain proficiency with maces, axes, bows, crossbows, heavy armor and shields.

Heavy build

You have advantage on saving throws against effects that would move you.

Environment

While resting in oil or some kind of highly energetic liquid you regain 1d6 hit points every 10 minutes.

Resistances and Vulnerabilities

You are resistant to poison damage and vulnerable to thunder damage.
You are immune to the poison status.

Dark age worker

You gain proficiency in the athletics and animal handling skills.

Ability Score Increase

 Your your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Dexterity or Strength score increases by 1.

Age

Glitch are build fully grown and theoretically live forever.

Alignment

Glich tend to a lawful alignment, with no particular tendency towards good or evil.

Size

Glich vary widely in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

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