Machine Race background [Archive] - Wizards Community

Machine Race background [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lyinginbedmon
10-23-06, 09:11 PM I'm writing up the history for a machine race, and I thought that I'd post what I have so far here and see what everyone thinks.

History
The creatures originate on a planet approximately 50% larger than Einderseod over 200 light-years away known by its inhabitants as Jannah. The people of Jannah were extremely scientific, mastering the academies of science, mathematics, arcana and divine magics, and incarnum, to an extent not yet seen on many other worlds, Einderseod included. These people were called the Janni.
On Jannah, a girl was born during the 3000th recorded year who was named Angstrom. She was an extremely gifted young girl with a passion for artificial intelligence. After 16 years of work, she managed to create the first, fully functional, artificial intelligence. Not long afterwards, her artificial intelligences were in population all across the planet.
But, in her obsessiveness, Angstrom had neglected to receive a childhood inoculation against a rather potent disease, called Kallmann Syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallmann_syndrome), which resulted in her reduced ability to smell, as well as her infertility. As a result, in her later years, she began longing for a child to hold in her arms and nurture. But unlike many women in her condition, she knew how to solve the problem.
She set to work over the next few years at building a new android, with some of the physical features of herself and some of her most valued colleagues and idols (More the former than the latter). On the last day, she brought the creation to life, and her new daughter was fully functional, the android was christened: Meter.
As the robotic daughter of the world’s greatest scientist, Meter was easily expected for great things. She quickly showed incredible aptitude in construct creation and arcane magic. However, because Angstrom was always busy on one project or another, and the media managed to prevent her from ever developing any meaningful relationships, Meter quickly grew to be very lonely and often became extremely bored as well.
To combat this boredom, Meter developed a new model of construct. One built entirely from tiny blocks each with their own neural pathways, a thinking block. The blocks were able to emit a magnetic field that drew other such blocks toward it, allowing it to amalgamate into a useful form, generally insectile in nature. Meter rejoiced in her new creations, but as they appeared more and more in the media the Janni came to fear them, and eventually they issued a proclamation to Angstrom to deactivate Meter and destroy her toys.
Though her mother adamantly protected her, Meter was soon under fire from all sides, and ordered her toys to protect her. They did so, but eventually they were forced to attack, and the Janni were soon wiped out, along with Angstrom, and Meter was quickly left alone on Jannah with only her rapidly multiplying toys for company. Dismayed, unequally lonely, and with no way to recharge herself, Meter soon ran out of power after a number of decades alone on the planet. Her toys continued to multiply, devouring the materials present on the planet until nothing but a dusty wasteland remained. Unable to leave the atmosphere, they too were soon left to wait.
Prior to their ‘sleep’ state, the toys devoured all technology on Jannah, and as a result achieved a state of technological advancement unseen and heard of in any other part of the universe. Using the four Dyson Spheres (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyson_Sphere) originally created by the Janni, the toys developed a trio of ‘machine gods’, which they entitled collectively the DUMCHN 35414. The trio possessed authority amongst the toys superior to any other toy and subordinate only to Meter herself. The trio were known individually as KLR 43154, MPH-RN 3374, and VDDRN 01460. They terrorised a large part of the local galaxy, becoming known by different names. KLR 43154 was known then as Kaelis Ra (“The Nightbringer”), MPH-RN 3374 was known as Mephet’ran (“The Deceiver”), and the most powerful (Using 2 of the Dyson Spheres) was Void Dragon (“Elegance”). However, not long after the activity of the toys was suspended, the stars powering the gods faltered due to solar flares, and no toys were available to repair them, therefore the bodies of the gods fell into inactivity. Most drifted through space before impacting some stellar body, and after many years their locations are all a mystery even to the toys. They are still hailed as gods amongst the toys.
After 236 years of isolation, Jannah was struck by a large meteorite and several large chunks of it were flung off into space, carrying with them mass amounts of the toys, and 1 inactive android girl. Eventually, after a further 100 years in space, one chunk landed in the ocean of Einderseod (After crashing through an airborne ship known as the Black Cardinal) and the toys were quickly put to work devouring the materials on the new planet. Not long afterwards, the android was discovered by a gnome submarine known as the Eskopash, examining the crash site, and was recovered by the Dead-Nick Squad and reactivated.
After being reactivated, Meter quickly expressed a desire to explore the outside world, in order to escape the world with her toys before the people of Einderseod turned against her. However, she had an argument with the Dead-Nick Squad and made one of her toys as a sign of good will, and was immediately attacked en masse. She caused great destruction inside the headquarters, but was eventually deactivated and heavily damaged. Her toys were later eliminated, but not before leaving an irreparable mark on the history of the planet.
To the people of Einderseod, her toys were better known, as the Sovices

Timeline (Incomplete)
J-1280 = The Dark Space war begins
J-1310 = The Dark Space war ends
J-3000 = Angstrom is born
J-3034 = First articial intelligence created by Angstrom
J-3037 = Meter first activated
J-3046 = Meter creates the first Sovices
J-3047.2 = Angstrom ordered to deactivate Meter and destroy the Sovices
J-3047.3 = Sovices launch attack. Angstrom killed. Jannah extinct.
J-3104 = Meter runs out of power. Deactivates.
J-3115 = KLR 43154 first activated using the power from Dyson Sphere 3
J-3117 = MPH-RN 3374 first activated using the power from Dyson Sphere 4
J-3124 = VDDN 01460 first activated using the power from Dyson Spheres 1 & 2
J-3134 = Sovices deactivate due to lack of material for consumption.
J-3136 = Dyson Spheres damaged by solar flares. DUMCHN 35414 deactivate.
J-3372 = Jannah struck by meteorite. Chunks fly off into space carrying over 8 billion Sovices and Meter
~J-3472/E-1956 = Chunk carrying ~2,000 Sovices and Meter lands on Einderseod
~J-3476/E-1960 = First Einderseod-Sovice relationships established by Blue Jester of Zero-One

The Janni
At the time of their destruction, the Janni were a Type II civilisation according to the Kardashev Scale. They had used the technology of the Sovices to construct Dyson Spheres encompassing 4 nearby stars, hence their classification, and were using artificial intelligence in virtually all parts of their daily life. Since much of these AI were based on Angstrom's original creations, this would prove to be a major disadvantage given their reluctance to go against anything their mother spawned.
Much of Janni technology was extremely powerful but highly simplistic. Their ships were composed of a single primary hull design that was then added on to with smaller components to create the full design, the hull composed the majority of systems itself and provided extreme protection against stellar phenomenon via a deep physical barrier. To give an Earth-based comparison, most of their ships would resemble Baleen Whales. Rings, dots and stripes, as hinted at in their physiology, also were commonplace in their technological designs.
As a species, the Janni were little different from Humans. They were bipedal and had fair skin, with a stronger trend towards blonde hair and blue eyes than other colours. The biggest distinction between the two species would certainly have to be the racial markings on the backs of Janni, spots and stripes mostly which often gave rise to a form of genetic artistry. A second distinction was the rings that appeared on the ankles (And in the foreskin of males), which grew an additional constituent each year, like a tree. Whilst technically mammalian, the Janni actually developed from a cross-species of reptile and mammal, similar to the first bird-like creatures on Earth (Which were originally reptilian and gradually became mammalian through evolutionary steps, the Janni would appear somewhere in the middle of this kind of evolution).
Their planet, Jannah, was formed from a single mass (Unlike Earth, which was formed from a proto-Earth and a second body, Thea, which also composes the Moon), and spent roughly 40 billion years in development before the Janni species first appeared. The integration of reptilian cold-bloodedness and mammalian warm-bloodedness, would lead one to conclude that Jannah was at some point a turbulent place of rapid climate change, and this would be correct. The Janni survived primarily in the equater of Jannah, where the climate maintained a somewhat equal temperature compared to the rest of the planet, but still enjoyed extended periods of hot and cold weather. As such, the Janni progenitor species (Think a mix between Wooly Mammoth, primate, and Icthyosaur) adapted by growing dense fur during the cold periods and rapidly thinning their skins during the warm periods. This produced their quasi state of repto-mammal physiology, and led to them becoming the dominant species on Jannah.

Historically, the Janni were a peacable folk, as their strong reptilian lineage and primatial heritage meant that their familial bonds were virtually indestructible, and as such their inter-personal relationships were strong and rarely led to bloodshed and violence. A challenge against their survival as a species would usually be the only thing that would ever end in so much as a raised voice. Therefore, they were especially terrified when they realised the threat of the Sovices. They had in their history 1 single war, a time they call "The Dark Space", where a group of Janni were split off from the general population for 52 years and when re-introduced into society found living incredibly difficult compared to their harsh near-survival in the turbulent areas of the planet. As a result, they drew strength in political circles and eventually sparked a civil war against those that thought the Janni had become too compliant and those that thought they had advanced beyond nature's domination of their lives. Eventually, the war ended through attrition of anti-technology supporters, the lessons of their adversaries were never forgotten by the victors, however.
Fithero
10-23-06, 10:30 PM Sounds like a pretty sweet background youve got for these devices, but will it ever come into play?

As for the deactivated body of Meter, is it still intact? Or have the gnomes taken her apart to study her?

Good luck with it.

Peace
Lyinginbedmon
10-24-06, 04:17 AM Sounds like a pretty sweet background youve got for these devices, but will it ever come into play?
Considering the plot to defeat a very long standing enemy and his terrorist attacks for world power will be put on the sidelines to deal with that chunk of Jannah that crash lands, yes, lots :D
As for the deactivated body of Meter, is it still intact? Or have the gnomes taken her apart to study her?

Good luck with it.

Peace
Still completely intact, the Sovices having built around her for decades. The Sovices having already begun eating the planet, the Eskopash was more than wary about what taking it would mean, so the Dead-Nick Squad did them a favour. (The Dead-Nick Squad is the adventuring group my players are a part of, known for very big miracles)
Kendrik
10-24-06, 11:11 AM I like Stargate too.
But are you describing a race or a monster? Noone is actually going to be playing a toy, are they?
Lyinginbedmon
10-24-06, 11:26 AM I should hope no-one tries to play a Sovice, considering they gain immunites based on attacks used against any Sovice within 10 miles...

I'm describing the history of the race, which theoretically is both race and monster (Orcs for example, fall into both categories), since the definitions are interchangable
Fithero
10-24-06, 12:32 PM I should hope no-one tries to play a Sovice, considering they gain immunites based on attacks used against any Sovice within 10 miles...

Yee-ouch:gah:

If a mass-reproducing entity with that sort of ability came to my characters plane... im pretty sure he would just jump a portal and start over somewhere else :P

Good luck with them.. do they have atleast one weakness?

Peace
Lyinginbedmon
10-24-06, 12:43 PM Good luck with them.. do they have atleast one weakness?

Peace
They have a couple of weaknesses:
They take a -4 penalty on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities (Though this erodes if a particular spell is used against them too many times)
If left alone long enough, their defences against specific weapons and spells erodes until it completely disappears
The individual units won't reform again if they are broken apart by damage equal to or greater than half their HP
Natural weapons aren't affected by their adaptive defences, because each one is physically different in some way due to genetic diversity
Therefore, a Thayan Gladiator should be a dab hand at breaking them apart :)

Used to be worse though, the Sovices now can't solidify/liquify gases
Lyinginbedmon
10-24-06, 05:16 PM On the DUMCHN 35414,

The title comes from the 1337 language, translating back into D3U5 M4CH1N4, or Deus Machina (Roughly, "god machine").

They were part of 3 pre-existing design schematics and their hulls were originally made by the Janni prior to their destruction, ironically they were actually art pieces for the South Jannah Museum of Engineering Art (Similar to Earth's Louvre).

The names of the individual god machines is similarly translated:
KLR 43154 = K43L15 R4 = Kaelis Ra
MPH-RN 3374 = M3PH37'R4N = Mephet'ran
VDDRN 01460 = V01D DR460N = Void Dragon
I haven't created the statistics for these three, but if anyone has any suggestions then by all means suggest

Kaelis Ra = The very first god machine to be activated. Presently in geosynchronus orbit around the Janni-discovered star AM-030, the 3rd closest star to Sol, around which Einderseod orbits. Due to the high iron content in the meteor belt surrounding AM-030, it has become clad in a strongly magnetic layer of rock, entombing it until such a time as it is successfully re-awakened. Its appearance is partially malleable, though it usually maintains the primary facets of its original form, that of a shrouded humanoid bearing a large curved scythe as its right arm, riding a cloud of insubstantial energy. The artwork that led to its design was that embodying the physical manifestations of the Janni's fear and terror. The Mona Lisa of its time, it was a total realisation of what the Dark Space war meant for the Janni: Total, 100%, Annihilation. It was only fitting, then, that the people it terrorised named it The Nightbringer

Mephet'ran = The second machine god to be activated. Presently buried in the rubble of meteor collision on Jannah. It appears as a horned, pink-skinned devil wearing a mocking smile. Unlike Kaelis Ra, Mephet'ran prefers to use the resources of a peoples to destroy them, giving rise to its nickname of The Deceiver. The artwork leading to its design was that of the physical manifestation of deception by pride. After the Dark Space war, it was realised that not only could separation from technology cause devastation, so could total, absolute, immersion into it. The Deceiver became the manifestation of pride and being blinded by ones own arrogance in this instance, and was akin to the fresco of the Sistine Chapel.

Void Dragon = The third and final machine god to be activated. Presently stranded on the planet Tetragamma, a neighbour of some 70 light years from Jannah, where it is being venerated as a sleeping deity. It appears similar to a mechanical version of an Eastern dragon, some 90 ft. long and easily capable of swallowing a building in one fell swoop. It is the largest and most powerful of the god machines, necessitating its power by 2 Dyson spheres. The artwork that inspired it was the Janni attempt to depict perfection of design, and as such the Void Dragon is incredibly powerful and streamlined, containing a host of abilities that would frighten most ecosystems in its diversity. It was a terror to be wreckoned with whilst active, but in its slumber its priests and bishops named it "Elegance" because of its physical appearance.
It should be noted that, given information supplied by the Dead-Nick Armada circa E-2042, VDDRN 01460 is the only god machine not awakened.
Lyinginbedmon
10-28-06, 05:32 PM Anyone?
Fithero
10-28-06, 09:56 PM I think the void dragon sounds like the most interesting, and im wondering what will happen when that bad boy awakens...

Id sure like to be a fly on that wall :D

As for a question, what are your plans for these mech monsters? Are the players going to have to defeat them or what?

Peace
Lyinginbedmon
10-29-06, 04:58 AM They're essentially the gods for the Sovices, plus all three of them are inhabiting some part of space.

If they start a war against the Sovices, the Sovices alone will probably be more than they can handle. If they establish relations with the Sovices, they might meet them (In which case, I pray they don't consider the mass of Mithral and Adamantine they're composed of...).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lyinginbedmon 10-23-06, 09:11 PM	I'm writing up the history for a machine race, and I thought that I'd post what I have so far here and see what everyone thinks. History The creatures originate on a planet approximately 50% larger than Einderseod over 200 light-years away known by its inhabitants as Jannah. The people of Jannah were extremely scientific, mastering the academies of science, mathematics, arcana and divine magics, and incarnum, to an extent not yet seen on many other worlds, Einderseod included. These people were called the Janni. On Jannah, a girl was born during the 3000th recorded year who was named Angstrom. She was an extremely gifted young girl with a passion for artificial intelligence. After 16 years of work, she managed to create the first, fully functional, artificial intelligence. Not long afterwards, her artificial intelligences were in population all across the planet. But, in her obsessiveness, Angstrom had neglected to receive a childhood inoculation against a rather potent disease, called Kallmann Syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallmann_syndrome), which resulted in her reduced ability to smell, as well as her infertility. As a result, in her later years, she began longing for a child to hold in her arms and nurture. But unlike many women in her condition, she knew how to solve the problem. She set to work over the next few years at building a new android, with some of the physical features of herself and some of her most valued colleagues and idols (More the former than the latter). On the last day, she brought the creation to life, and her new daughter was fully functional, the android was christened: Meter. As the robotic daughter of the world’s greatest scientist, Meter was easily expected for great things. She quickly showed incredible aptitude in construct creation and arcane magic. However, because Angstrom was always busy on one project or another, and the media managed to prevent her from ever developing any meaningful relationships, Meter quickly grew to be very lonely and often became extremely bored as well. To combat this boredom, Meter developed a new model of construct. One built entirely from tiny blocks each with their own neural pathways, a thinking block. The blocks were able to emit a magnetic field that drew other such blocks toward it, allowing it to amalgamate into a useful form, generally insectile in nature. Meter rejoiced in her new creations, but as they appeared more and more in the media the Janni came to fear them, and eventually they issued a proclamation to Angstrom to deactivate Meter and destroy her toys. Though her mother adamantly protected her, Meter was soon under fire from all sides, and ordered her toys to protect her. They did so, but eventually they were forced to attack, and the Janni were soon wiped out, along with Angstrom, and Meter was quickly left alone on Jannah with only her rapidly multiplying toys for company. Dismayed, unequally lonely, and with no way to recharge herself, Meter soon ran out of power after a number of decades alone on the planet. Her toys continued to multiply, devouring the materials present on the planet until nothing but a dusty wasteland remained. Unable to leave the atmosphere, they too were soon left to wait. Prior to their ‘sleep’ state, the toys devoured all technology on Jannah, and as a result achieved a state of technological advancement unseen and heard of in any other part of the universe. Using the four Dyson Spheres (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyson_Sphere) originally created by the Janni, the toys developed a trio of ‘machine gods’, which they entitled collectively the DUMCHN 35414. The trio possessed authority amongst the toys superior to any other toy and subordinate only to Meter herself. The trio were known individually as KLR 43154, MPH-RN 3374, and VDDRN 01460. They terrorised a large part of the local galaxy, becoming known by different names. KLR 43154 was known then as Kaelis Ra (“The Nightbringer”), MPH-RN 3374 was known as Mephet’ran (“The Deceiver”), and the most powerful (Using 2 of the Dyson Spheres) was Void Dragon (“Elegance”). However, not long after the activity of the toys was suspended, the stars powering the gods faltered due to solar flares, and no toys were available to repair them, therefore the bodies of the gods fell into inactivity. Most drifted through space before impacting some stellar body, and after many years their locations are all a mystery even to the toys. They are still hailed as gods amongst the toys. After 236 years of isolation, Jannah was struck by a large meteorite and several large chunks of it were flung off into space, carrying with them mass amounts of the toys, and 1 inactive android girl. Eventually, after a further 100 years in space, one chunk landed in the ocean of Einderseod (After crashing through an airborne ship known as the Black Cardinal) and the toys were quickly put to work devouring the materials on the new planet. Not long afterwards, the android was discovered by a gnome submarine known as the Eskopash, examining the crash site, and was recovered by the Dead-Nick Squad and reactivated. After being reactivated, Meter quickly expressed a desire to explore the outside world, in order to escape the world with her toys before the people of Einderseod turned against her. However, she had an argument with the Dead-Nick Squad and made one of her toys as a sign of good will, and was immediately attacked en masse. She caused great destruction inside the headquarters, but was eventually deactivated and heavily damaged. Her toys were later eliminated, but not before leaving an irreparable mark on the history of the planet. To the people of Einderseod, her toys were better known, as the Sovices Timeline (Incomplete) J-1280 = The Dark Space war begins J-1310 = The Dark Space war ends J-3000 = Angstrom is born J-3034 = First articial intelligence created by Angstrom J-3037 = Meter first activated J-3046 = Meter creates the first Sovices J-3047.2 = Angstrom ordered to deactivate Meter and destroy the Sovices J-3047.3 = Sovices launch attack. Angstrom killed. Jannah extinct. J-3104 = Meter runs out of power. Deactivates. J-3115 = KLR 43154 first activated using the power from Dyson Sphere 3 J-3117 = MPH-RN 3374 first activated using the power from Dyson Sphere 4 J-3124 = VDDN 01460 first activated using the power from Dyson Spheres 1 & 2 J-3134 = Sovices deactivate due to lack of material for consumption. J-3136 = Dyson Spheres damaged by solar flares. DUMCHN 35414 deactivate. J-3372 = Jannah struck by meteorite. Chunks fly off into space carrying over 8 billion Sovices and Meter ~J-3472/E-1956 = Chunk carrying ~2,000 Sovices and Meter lands on Einderseod ~J-3476/E-1960 = First Einderseod-Sovice relationships established by Blue Jester of Zero-One The Janni At the time of their destruction, the Janni were a Type II civilisation according to the Kardashev Scale. They had used the technology of the Sovices to construct Dyson Spheres encompassing 4 nearby stars, hence their classification, and were using artificial intelligence in virtually all parts of their daily life. Since much of these AI were based on Angstrom's original creations, this would prove to be a major disadvantage given their reluctance to go against anything their mother spawned. Much of Janni technology was extremely powerful but highly simplistic. Their ships were composed of a single primary hull design that was then added on to with smaller components to create the full design, the hull composed the majority of systems itself and provided extreme protection against stellar phenomenon via a deep physical barrier. To give an Earth-based comparison, most of their ships would resemble Baleen Whales. Rings, dots and stripes, as hinted at in their physiology, also were commonplace in their technological designs. As a species, the Janni were little different from Humans. They were bipedal and had fair skin, with a stronger trend towards blonde hair and blue eyes than other colours. The biggest distinction between the two species would certainly have to be the racial markings on the backs of Janni, spots and stripes mostly which often gave rise to a form of genetic artistry. A second distinction was the rings that appeared on the ankles (And in the foreskin of males), which grew an additional constituent each year, like a tree. Whilst technically mammalian, the Janni actually developed from a cross-species of reptile and mammal, similar to the first bird-like creatures on Earth (Which were originally reptilian and gradually became mammalian through evolutionary steps, the Janni would appear somewhere in the middle of this kind of evolution). Their planet, Jannah, was formed from a single mass (Unlike Earth, which was formed from a proto-Earth and a second body, Thea, which also composes the Moon), and spent roughly 40 billion years in development before the Janni species first appeared. The integration of reptilian cold-bloodedness and mammalian warm-bloodedness, would lead one to conclude that Jannah was at some point a turbulent place of rapid climate change, and this would be correct. The Janni survived primarily in the equater of Jannah, where the climate maintained a somewhat equal temperature compared to the rest of the planet, but still enjoyed extended periods of hot and cold weather. As such, the Janni progenitor species (Think a mix between Wooly Mammoth, primate, and Icthyosaur) adapted by growing dense fur during the cold periods and rapidly thinning their skins during the warm periods. This produced their quasi state of repto-mammal physiology, and led to them becoming the dominant species on Jannah. Historically, the Janni were a peacable folk, as their strong reptilian lineage and primatial heritage meant that their familial bonds were virtually indestructible, and as such their inter-personal relationships were strong and rarely led to bloodshed and violence. A challenge against their survival as a species would usually be the only thing that would ever end in so much as a raised voice. Therefore, they were especially terrified when they realised the threat of the Sovices. They had in their history 1 single war, a time they call "The Dark Space", where a group of Janni were split off from the general population for 52 years and when re-introduced into society found living incredibly difficult compared to their harsh near-survival in the turbulent areas of the planet. As a result, they drew strength in political circles and eventually sparked a civil war against those that thought the Janni had become too compliant and those that thought they had advanced beyond nature's domination of their lives. Eventually, the war ended through attrition of anti-technology supporters, the lessons of their adversaries were never forgotten by the victors, however.
Fithero 10-23-06, 10:30 PM	Sounds like a pretty sweet background youve got for these devices, but will it ever come into play? As for the deactivated body of Meter, is it still intact? Or have the gnomes taken her apart to study her? Good luck with it. Peace
Lyinginbedmon 10-24-06, 04:17 AM	Sounds like a pretty sweet background youve got for these devices, but will it ever come into play? Considering the plot to defeat a very long standing enemy and his terrorist attacks for world power will be put on the sidelines to deal with that chunk of Jannah that crash lands, yes, lots :D As for the deactivated body of Meter, is it still intact? Or have the gnomes taken her apart to study her? Good luck with it. Peace Still completely intact, the Sovices having built around her for decades. The Sovices having already begun eating the planet, the Eskopash was more than wary about what taking it would mean, so the Dead-Nick Squad did them a favour. (The Dead-Nick Squad is the adventuring group my players are a part of, known for very big miracles)
Kendrik 10-24-06, 11:11 AM	I like Stargate too. But are you describing a race or a monster? Noone is actually going to be playing a toy, are they?
Lyinginbedmon 10-24-06, 11:26 AM	I should hope no-one tries to play a Sovice, considering they gain immunites based on attacks used against any Sovice within 10 miles... I'm describing the history of the race, which theoretically is both race and monster (Orcs for example, fall into both categories), since the definitions are interchangable
Fithero 10-24-06, 12:32 PM	I should hope no-one tries to play a Sovice, considering they gain immunites based on attacks used against any Sovice within 10 miles... Yee-ouch:gah: If a mass-reproducing entity with that sort of ability came to my characters plane... im pretty sure he would just jump a portal and start over somewhere else :P Good luck with them.. do they have atleast one weakness? Peace
Lyinginbedmon 10-24-06, 12:43 PM	Good luck with them.. do they have atleast one weakness? Peace They have a couple of weaknesses: They take a -4 penalty on saving throws against spells and spell-like abilities (Though this erodes if a particular spell is used against them too many times) If left alone long enough, their defences against specific weapons and spells erodes until it completely disappears The individual units won't reform again if they are broken apart by damage equal to or greater than half their HP Natural weapons aren't affected by their adaptive defences, because each one is physically different in some way due to genetic diversity Therefore, a Thayan Gladiator should be a dab hand at breaking them apart :) Used to be worse though, the Sovices now can't solidify/liquify gases
Lyinginbedmon 10-24-06, 05:16 PM	On the DUMCHN 35414, The title comes from the 1337 language, translating back into D3U5 M4CH1N4, or Deus Machina (Roughly, "god machine"). They were part of 3 pre-existing design schematics and their hulls were originally made by the Janni prior to their destruction, ironically they were actually art pieces for the South Jannah Museum of Engineering Art (Similar to Earth's Louvre). The names of the individual god machines is similarly translated: KLR 43154 = K43L15 R4 = Kaelis Ra MPH-RN 3374 = M3PH37'R4N = Mephet'ran VDDRN 01460 = V01D DR460N = Void Dragon I haven't created the statistics for these three, but if anyone has any suggestions then by all means suggest Kaelis Ra = The very first god machine to be activated. Presently in geosynchronus orbit around the Janni-discovered star AM-030, the 3rd closest star to Sol, around which Einderseod orbits. Due to the high iron content in the meteor belt surrounding AM-030, it has become clad in a strongly magnetic layer of rock, entombing it until such a time as it is successfully re-awakened. Its appearance is partially malleable, though it usually maintains the primary facets of its original form, that of a shrouded humanoid bearing a large curved scythe as its right arm, riding a cloud of insubstantial energy. The artwork that led to its design was that embodying the physical manifestations of the Janni's fear and terror. The Mona Lisa of its time, it was a total realisation of what the Dark Space war meant for the Janni: Total, 100%, Annihilation. It was only fitting, then, that the people it terrorised named it The Nightbringer Mephet'ran = The second machine god to be activated. Presently buried in the rubble of meteor collision on Jannah. It appears as a horned, pink-skinned devil wearing a mocking smile. Unlike Kaelis Ra, Mephet'ran prefers to use the resources of a peoples to destroy them, giving rise to its nickname of The Deceiver. The artwork leading to its design was that of the physical manifestation of deception by pride. After the Dark Space war, it was realised that not only could separation from technology cause devastation, so could total, absolute, immersion into it. The Deceiver became the manifestation of pride and being blinded by ones own arrogance in this instance, and was akin to the fresco of the Sistine Chapel. Void Dragon = The third and final machine god to be activated. Presently stranded on the planet Tetragamma, a neighbour of some 70 light years from Jannah, where it is being venerated as a sleeping deity. It appears similar to a mechanical version of an Eastern dragon, some 90 ft. long and easily capable of swallowing a building in one fell swoop. It is the largest and most powerful of the god machines, necessitating its power by 2 Dyson spheres. The artwork that inspired it was the Janni attempt to depict perfection of design, and as such the Void Dragon is incredibly powerful and streamlined, containing a host of abilities that would frighten most ecosystems in its diversity. It was a terror to be wreckoned with whilst active, but in its slumber its priests and bishops named it "Elegance" because of its physical appearance. It should be noted that, given information supplied by the Dead-Nick Armada circa E-2042, VDDRN 01460 is the only god machine not awakened.
Lyinginbedmon 10-28-06, 05:32 PM	Anyone?
Fithero 10-28-06, 09:56 PM	I think the void dragon sounds like the most interesting, and im wondering what will happen when that bad boy awakens... Id sure like to be a fly on that wall :D As for a question, what are your plans for these mech monsters? Are the players going to have to defeat them or what? Peace
Lyinginbedmon 10-29-06, 04:58 AM	They're essentially the gods for the Sovices, plus all three of them are inhabiting some part of space. If they start a war against the Sovices, the Sovices alone will probably be more than they can handle. If they establish relations with the Sovices, they might meet them (In which case, I pray they don't consider the mass of Mithral and Adamantine they're composed of...).