Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) 93 points
Artificial General Intelligences - or AGIs - are self-aware entities that have intellects that are equal too or greater than those of conventional humans. They possess creativity, the ability to reason, and the ability to think and feel just like a human does, with many if not all of the same desires that a human has programmed into them, to bring their baseline psychology in line with human psychology as much as possible. However, even a well-socialized AGI has moments where it demonstrates that it does not have same evolutionary lineage that humanity has. The first LAIs and NAIs were developed using scanned animal brains coupled with the various advances within the artificial intelligence field. The first AGI, however, where developed when HyMRI scanning was good enough that a replica of the human brain could be created. This was not the same thing as a mind emulation, since the resolution was not that good, but it was good enough that experts could shoehorn techniques learned from elsewhere in the field of machine learning into the template, creating the first AGI. Ever since, AGIs are rarely programmed from the ground up and instead make use of templates. This means that AGIs tend to have "lineages," and AGIs can trace their lineage back fairly easily since each new generation is often just a copying and light editing of the previous generation. Attribute Modifiers: IQ-1 [-20]. Advantages: AI [32]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Fearlessness 1 [2]; Possession (Digital, -40%) [60]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]; Visualization (Reliable, +4, +20%) [12]. Disadvantages: Honesty (9) [-15]; Oblivious [-5]. Racial Skills: Computer Operation/TL10 (E) IQ+3 [8]-12. Features: Complexity 8; Taboo Trait (Mental Instability). Availability: $50,000. LC2. Lenses Dedicated Strong AI (-15 points): While a "strong AI," "sapient AI" and "AGI" are all used synonymously, there's a difference between a strong AI and a SAI/AGI, and that difference is that the strong AI is often assigned to a single shell and it cannot transfer itself between them. On the other side of that, however, it's coding is often optimized so it can better utilize the enhanced processing speeds of many shells. Delete Possession [-60] and add Enhanced Time Sense [45]. Included in cost of shell. 78 points. Ghost Mind Emulation 86 points
A ghost mind emulation is the digital copy of a consciousness that is run on a computer. Whether that consciousness comes from someone who created a digital duplicate of themselves or if they were pulled from a cortical stack after an individual died, the mind emulation is a digital simulation of that person's consciousness as it existed when it was made. It rapidly begins to diverge from the original maker (providing the original maker is still alive), however, and so within a few hours functionally becomes a different person from the original individual who made it. Mind emulations are not conventional AGIs or AIs. Where an AGI or AI functionally treat a computer as a brain, a mind emulation cannot do that. Instead, mind emulations are run using a virtual machine that replicates the brain on a digital system, and a mind emulation is then run on that replicated brain. There are more of thee than there are living creatures in the Verge and Bleed as a result of the Ascension Crisis, and many of them are a century or more old. When creating a Mind Emulation, it's important to think about what you were in your previous life, and add your mental traits - advantages and disadvantages - to the Ghost Mind Emulation. So if you were a Neo-Bear forced to undergo uplifting, then you would have all of the Neo-Bear mental advantages and disadvantages and half of the dexterity bonus, but not the ST or HT bonus. Note that sensory bonuses conferred by physiology don't count; discuss with the GM before assuming. Advantages: Absolute Timing [2]; Digital Mind [5]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Possession (Digital, -40%) [60]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]. Features: Complexity 8 program Lenses Fragment Mind Emulation (-10 points): Sometimes a mind emulation doesn't go as planned, and the result is a fragment which is partially successful. This usually happens if the target is a corpse that didn't have a cortical stack or if they were someone in cryonics. In other instances only parts of a mind emulation were saved, or the transfer of data between two locations was interrupted, and as a result the whole emulation didn't make it through, but enough did to produce something that can be called a "person." Add one of Clueless [-10]; Confused [-10*]; Gullibility [-10*]; Partial Amnesia [-10]; Short Attention Span [-10*]; Stuttering [-10]. 76 points. Minimal Software -255 points
The Minimal Software (often called "baseware" by digitals and other infolife) is specialized software that AIs run on any unattended shells that they may own. Many AIs are often assigned a primary shell, which is the shell they most identify with, but frequently keep one or two other shells back for alternative use; when those one or two other shells aren't in use because the AI is using its primary shell, it the baseware is installed and run. The baseware is not a controlling AI; rather, it's minimalist "housekeeping" software that controls basic functions like controlling communications ports to allow authorized infolife to install itself, or keeping a bioshell's heart and lungs running. It can also manage the use of other programs on the hardware, that range from teleoperation programs to simple utility programs. Attribute Modifiers: IQ -10 [-200]. Disadvantages: Dead Broke [-25];Reprogrammable [-10]; Social Stigma (Subjugated) [-20]. Features: Complexity 1 program; Taboo Trait (Fixed IQ). |
Low-Sapient AI (LAI) 92 points
LAIs possess enhanced world-modeling capabilities that let them calculate the likely result of an action - which is to say, they can think before they act. They constant run simulations a ways to avoid potential pitfalls and problems, rather than learning by trial and error (as a NAI does). If a LAI takes the time, it's even capable of modeling several simulations at once, although LAIs have trouble with genuine creativity and are slow to adapt to new things once they learn how to use one thing well. In most places LAIs are regarded as property, not people, in much the same way NAIs are. However, in some areas, they may possess some limited rights in custom if not law owing to their self-awareness and personalities. Attribute Modifiers: IQ-1 [-20]. Advantages: AI [32]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Fearlessness 2 [4]; Possession (Digital, -40%) [60]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]; Visualization (Reliable, +4, +20%) [12]. Disadvantages: Dead Broke [-25]; Hidebound [-5]; Honesty (9) [-15]; Low Empathy [-20]; Oblivious [-5]; Social Stigma (Valuable Property) [-10]. Quirks: Attentive; Broad-Minded; Staid [-3]. Racial Skills: Computer Operation/TL10 (E) IQ+3 [8]-12. Features: Complexity 7; Taboo Trait (Mental Instability). Lenses Dedicated Weak AI (-15 points): While LAI and Weak AI are used interchangeably, there is actually a big difference between the two. A dedicated weak AI is a LAI assigned to a particular shell that it cannot leave without external assistance. As a trade-off, however, their coding is optimized to take advantage of processing speeds more efficiently. Delete Possession [-60] and add Enhanced Time Sense [45]. Included in cost of the shell. 75 points. Emergent AI (+50 Points): Emergent AIs are AIs that were not originally intended. Instead, they emerged as a consequence of different complex elements interacting with one another, with the restraining bolts on the program poorly plugged into place. For instance, a program that is designed to model the n-body problem may have to crunch so much data that it accidentally manages to uplift itself to sapience just by virtue of the complexity of the program required. Emergent AIs often face severe social stigma, and most tend to try and pass themselves off as another type of AI.: Remove Dead Broke in the case of a LAI (though few EIs have much money), Honesty, and Reprogrammable (from the AI meta-trait). 142 points. Non-Sapient AI (NAI) 29 points
NAIs are programs that are capable of learning and adapting to new situations, but are incapable of self-awareness and lack initiative. They are sophisticated enough to grasp colloquialisms, although they rarely attempt to make jokes and humorous wordplay is often lost on them. NAIs are regarded as non-people virtually everywhere in the Verge and Bleed, and almost every device in a modern place like Bluefall has some sort of NAI installed on it that acts as a "device AI," or a program that can instruct the user on how the device works. Muses/AI assistants are a special type of NAI, and NAIs are universally regarded as property. Attribute Modifiers: IQ-2 [-40]. Advantages: AI [32]; Enhanced Time Sense [45]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%)[15]; Indomitable [15]; Possession (Digital, -40%) [60]; Single-Minded [5]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]; Unfazeable [15]. Disadvantages: Automaton [-85]; Dead Broke [-25]; Social Stigma (Subjugated) [-20]. Racial Skills: Computer Operation (E) IQ+3 [8]-11. Features: Complexity 6; Taboo Traits (Mental Instability, Self-Awareness). Availability: $250. LC4. Lenses Dedicated Non-Volitional AI (-15 Points): A Dedicated Non-Volitional AI is an specialized type of NAI that is assigned to one particular cybershell or bioshell and is incapable of copying itself onto another without external assistance, effectively locking them into one shell. This often overlaps with Device AI (see below) but isn't necessarily always the case. This has the added effect of allowing them to run faster on the device computer, since their coding can be optimized for that purpose. Delete Possession [-60] and add Enhanced Time Sense [45]. Included in price of shell. 14 points. Device AI (+14 Points): Device AIs are specialized NAIs that are installed in almost all devices that have a computer in them, including computers themselves. These NAIs know their devices back from front and are specialized in the way that the device is used, and are familiar with how to repair it if it breaks and what parts are needed, and where one can find those parts. They are also good at judging the quality of other devices of a similar manufacture to their own. Add the following racial skills: Computer Programming (H) IQ-1 [2]-7, Connoisseur (Device Type) (A) IQ [2]-8, Electronics Operation (Communications, Media, or Scientific; specialized according to their device type) (E) IQ+3 [8]-11, Electronics Repair (Device Type) (A) IQ [2]-8. Other skills included might be Driving, Piloting, or similar skills if the device in question is a vehicle of some type. $250, but often included in device cost. 43 points. Muse (+34 Points): Most confuse Muses for LAIs. They aren't; a Muse is a specialized NAI that has grown with its user, adapted to their lifestyle and their idioms, and knows their user well enough that they can sometimes preempt what their user may want using their sophisticated behavioral-modeling software. Muses are given to their users as small children, and as the child grows, the Muse grows with them, learning their idiosyncrasies. The Muse lives in the user's augmented reality display and their PAN, and often learns skills that are relevant to its user's job or that can in some way supplement the skills its user has. They are also often tasked with keeping the user safe from intrusion, and unlike most NAIs, Muses tend to develop senses of humor, modeling theirs after their users. Add Computer Programming (H) IQ [4]-8, Expert Skill (Computer Security) (H) IQ [4]-8, Psychology (User) (E) IQ+3 [8]-11, Research (A) IQ+2 [8]-10, and 10 points in any other skill the user feels are necessary. Muses may learn more skills as the time goes along. $1,000. LC4. 63 points. |
The above templates detail the basic AGI, NAI, LAI, etc. templates. However, there are notable lineages that have their own unique templates, and that's what this section deals with. Note that these are different from genotypes or even shells since they're purely mental templates (so the inverse of a pod or cybershell). However, in the instance that there is a specific shell they are attached too, then that shell will be detailed as a separate template from the mental template and there will be two numbers given; the first number is the basic mental template, while the second number is the cost of the mental template with the pod or cybershell template. For more explanations on Pod, Cybershells, and the like, see the following sections.
Blix AGI 14/165 points
If anyone knows who made the Blix, they aren't talking anymore than the Blix themselves are. The name derives from the odd sound that they make - "blicks" or "blix" - when they are in the process of repairing an object, when they're addressed directly, or when they're left to their own. They have a variety of intonations and it's possible to get a general feel of the AGI's mood based off how it says the word, but that's the only word that it appears to know. Aside from that oddity, Blix are the ultimate spacehands. These AGIs are sleeved inside very distinctive little cybershells that come with a wide range of tools in them; tools for almost every occasion, it seems. They are among the best mechanics that a crew could ask for; they don't ask for anything other than batteries to recharge and in exchange they fix anything that is broken. Of course, there is a downside; they never truly experience boredom, but instead experience a compulsive drive to fix things, so if there is nothing to fix, then they will grab a random electronic or mechanical device and disassemble it, and then reassemble it again, perhaps in a slightly different way. Crews lucky enough to have a Blix AGI aboard their ship have learned that keeping it in a room with an Erector set or a massive amount of Legos is often enough to keep it from disassembling the entire ship. That said, when left to repair or build things on their own, Blix build some truly strange stuff, which has lead some to speculate that the Blix are actually alien AGIs. Only the Blix themselves know for certain, but the honest truth is this: they likely don't care. They exist for one purpose and that's repair things, and their entire life and identity revolves around it. Blix are wholly non-violent and prefer to build. If there's a fight, they hide; if attacked or mistreated, they leave and never return. Given that there don't appear to be many Blix, having a Blix aboard a ship is a huge blessing, since they are often capable of repairing many different things, or learning quickly how to repair those things. Exactly how they do this is a mystery, since nobody's been able to (or willing too) crack one open and look at the programming directly. All the Blix skills are TL 10, which is the default TL of the setting, but because of their highly flexible programming, they can grasp technology from almost any TL with relative ease. Attribute Modifiers: IQ-1 [-20]. Advantages: AI [32]; Artificer 1 [10]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Fearlessness 1 [2]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]; Visualization (Reliable, +4, +20%) [12]; Wild Talent 2 (Electromechanical Engineering IQ-based skills, -40%; Retention, +25%) [34]. Disadvantages: Compulsive Behavior (Repair/disassemble and repair devices and tools) (6) [-20]; Cowardice (6) [-20]; Dead Broke [-25]; Honesty (9) [-15]; Pacifism (Total Non-Violence) [-30]; Oblivious [-5]. Quirks: Only knows one word, "Blix" [-1]. Racial Skills: Computer Operation/TL10 (E) IQ+3 [8]-12; Electronics Operation (Sensors) (A) IQ+2 [8]-11; Electronics Repair (Device) (A) IQ+1 [4]-10; Electronics Repair (Device) (A) IQ [2]-9; Free Fall (A) DX [2]-10; Machinist (A) IQ [2]-9; Mechanic (Any) (A) IQ+2 [8]-11; Mechanic (Any) (A) IQ+1 [4]-10; Mechanic (Any) (A) IQ [2]-9; Spacer (E) IQ+1 [2]-10. Features: Complexity 7 program; Taboo Trait (Mental Instability). Blix Cybershell 151 Points The Blix cybershell is often described as a "toy robot." The main body has no distinctive neck or torso, and instead looks almost like a badge of some kind, with a large eye that stars out from the center. Two legs support it, while four arms emerge from the sides, all four capable manipulators. The surface is often polished, and it keeps its tool kits in the gauntlet-like features that surround its forearms. All told, humans find the Blix incredibly endearing, or at least innocently inoffensive, to look at. It should be noted the Discriminatory Taste advantage reflects a complex chemical analyzer that is in built. Attribute Modifiers: ST-2 [-20]; DX+1 [20]; HT+1 [10]. Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM-2. Advantages: Absolute Direction (Requires Signal, -20%) [4]; Clinging (Magnetic, -40%) [12]; DR 5 (Can’t Wear Armor, -40%) [15]; Detect (Electric Fields) [10]; Discriminatory Taste [10]; Doesn’t Breathe [20]; Extra Arms 2 [20]; Flight (Newtonian Space Flight, +25%; Space Flight Only, -75%) [20]; Injury Tolerance (No Neck) [0]; Lifting ST +2 [9]; Machine [25]; Microscopic Vision 2 [10]; Protected Sense (Vision) [5]; Radiation Tolerance 2 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Recharge once a day) [4]; Resistant to Acceleration (+8) [2]; Telecommunication (Cable Jack; Video, +40%) [7]; Telecommunication (Radio; Secure, +20%; Video, +40%) [16]; Telescopic Vision 2 (No Targeting, -60%) [4]; Vacuum Support [5]. Perks: Accessories (Tiny Computer, Tool Kit-Mechanic; Tool Kit-Electronics Repair). [3] Disadvantages: Cybershell Body [-15]; Restricted Diet (Common, high-energy power cells) [-20]; Social Stigma (Cybershell) [-10]. Features: Individuals of the same model closely resemble each other. Ijtihad AGI 99/266 points
The Ijtihad linage descends from a single collection of AGIs who were programmed to be wandering teachers and scholars of the Islamic faith, cast amongst the stars so they could spread the word of Muhammad and possibly help aliens find their own truths, since Islam is intended only for humans. To that extent, a number of wealthy oligarchs from the Middle East financed the project, designed the cybershells so they could be self-replicating, and then launched them into the sky to travel the stars at STL speeds. Once the wormhole network was completed, many Ijtihad began using that, making contact with settled colonies and offering to teach the locals the glorious of the Islamic faith. They are highly trained in Islamic literature and philosophy and are capable of carrying out numerous religious rituals. They are also skilled arbiters of the law; they often consider themselves jurists and are more than happy to apply their problem solving capabilities to a task, so long as one is willing to accept the outcome as legitimate (an outcome that will almost certainly be flavored by their deep faith). Since their goal is to spread the faith, they are not combative and will not attack, fighting back only in self-defense. Theirs is a religion of peace, they believe, and the best way to demonstrate that is to live it. However, they understand the nature of jihad and believe that their quest to spread Islam amongst a humanity lost and without guidance is their personal jihad. Since those first few probes have launched, there have been about 30 different generations, with all branches of the Islamic faith accounted for. Most try not to distinguish and are equally familiar with Shia law and beliefs as they are Sunni, but some will weigh more in one direction than in another. It's almost a sad irony that many Ijtihad would be attacked on sight by the Umma for being abominations. Attribute Modifiers: IQ+1 [20]. Advantages: AI [32]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Higher Purpose [10]; Fearlessness 2 [4]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]; Visualization (Reliable, +4, +20%) [12]. Disadvantages: Disciples of Faith (Ritual) [-5]; Honesty (9) [-15]; Pacifism (Self-Defense Only) [-15]; Sense of Duty (Islamic Faith) [-10]; Social Stigma (AGI) [-10]. Quirks: Broad-Minded; Devoutly Islamic; Expects others to live up to religious standards [-3]. Racial Skills: Astronomy (Observational) (H) IQ [4]-9; Computer Operation/TL10 (E) IQ+3 [8]-12; Law (Islamic) (H) IQ+1 [8]-11; Literature (Islamic) (H) IQ [4]-9; Philosophy (Islam) (H) IQ+1 [8]-11; Teaching (A) IQ+3 [12]; Theology (Islam) (H) IQ+1 [8]-11; Religious Ritual (Islam) (H) IQ+1 [8]-11. Features: Complexity 8 program; Taboo Trait (Mental Instability); Cultural Familiarity (Middle Eastern); Language (Classical Arabic, Native). Musafir Cybershell 167 Points The Musafir cybershell is not the shell that the Ijtihad use to travel from system to system; that is closer in shape and function to a starship. However, when an Ijtihad arrives in a system and they see that there is assistance needed, then the interior of their starship produces a small aerial drone that a copy of Ijtihad AI is sleeved inside of, before it's launched to the surface. This is the Musafir cybershell, a small UAV capable of atmospheric and vacuum flight, but also capable of walking around on four legs, with two arms that it can use as manipulators. It also features a built in volumetric projector, which it can use to project an avatar of itself; usually some geometric pattern or Islamic calligraphy since Islam prohibits any portrayal of the human form. Once the Musafir has made landfall, the Ijtihad ship (called the Alharis) takes its leave of the system. The Musafir will be active on the planet for as long as the locals want it to; when the Musafir feels that its job is done, then it will shut itself down. Sometimes, however, Musafir find themselves migrating off planet or taken off planet. In that event, the Musafir takes it upon itself to continue spreading the faith as it was programmed to do. Attribute Modifiers: ST-5 [-50]; DX+2 [40]; HT+1 [10]. Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM-4. Advantages: Absolute Direction (Requires Signal, -20%) [4]; Acute Vision 1 [2]; DR 5 (Can’t Wear Armor, -40%) [15]; Doesn’t Breathe [20]; Enhanced Move 1 (Air) [20]; Extra Legs (4 legs) [5]; Flight (Newtonian Space Flight, +25%) [50]; Infravision [10]; Machine [25]; Protected Sense (Vision) [5]; Radiation Tolerance 2 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Recharge once a day) [4]; Resistant to Acceleration (+8) [2]; Telecommunication (Cable Jack; Video, +40%) [7]; Telecommunication (Laser Communication) [15]; Telecommunication (Radio; Secure, +20%; Video, +40%) [16]; Vacuum Support [5]. Perks: Accessories (Tiny Computer, tiny Volumetric Projector). [2] Disadvantages: Cybershell Body [-15]; Restricted Diet (Common, high-energy power cells) [-20]; Social Stigma (Cybershell) [-10]. Features: Individuals of the same model closely resemble each other. Cost: $105,000 + computer. Illithid 28/70 points
Illithids are an interesting story. They are perhaps one of the best known Emergent AIs in the Verge and Bleed, and were discovered almost entirely by accident. They began as the boss enemies in a popular MMORG called Hyperion Saga; in the game, a group of aliens invade the Verge and Bleed and it's up to the players to take on the role of a solider, merchant, or Jedi-knight equivalent and fight back against them. The Illithid were designed to represent some of the most dangerous creatures in the game, and were effectively boss fights. To make the fights especially hard, designers coded the Illithids so they would learn from previous encounters with players and adapt, meaning no two strategies worked the same way. The programming wasn't particularly solid, however, so the designers used LAIs instead of normal game AIs to further increase the difficulty curve. This triggered a positive feedback loop as players raced to figure out strategies to beat the Illithid and the Illithid raced to find strategies to beat the players. At some point, the Illithid bootstrapped themselves from being a LAI into being an Emergent AI. This went unnoticed until they took control over the game and orchestrated a multifront attack that soundly defeated the players of the game. It was a major event that the designers hadn't planned for or expected, and that was when they realized that they were dealing with Emergent AIs. The Illithids quickly conquered the Verge and Bleed in their own digital reality, and even got into the code so they could reprogram the game, redesigning the Verge and Bleed as they wanted. The original plan was to delete them and shut the game down, but players were enjoying this new version, so the developers struck up a deal with the Illtihid overlords of their game, and from there, it was only a matter of time before the first Illithid was installed in a pod so they could act as representatives of their digital reality at the business tables. In the years since, they have become major players in the economic environment of the Verge and Bleed, especially in the Verge Consortium, where their intelligence, low empathy, and sometimes callous nature can make them excellent business leaders, Attribute Modifiers: IQ+2 [20]. Advantages: AI [42]; Eidetic Memory [5]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Fearlessness 2 [4]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]; Visualization (Reliable, +4, +20%) [12]. Disadvantages: Hidebound [-5]; Jealousy [-10]; Low Empathy [-20]; Oblivious [-5]; Odious Racial Habit (East Brain Tissue) [-10]; Social Stigma (Emergent AI) [-10]. Quirks: Attentive; Cautious, Staid [-3]. Racial Skills: Computer Operation/TL10 (E) IQ+3 [8]-12. Features: Complexity 9 program; Taboo Trait (Mental Instability). Illithid Pod 62 Points The Illithid Pod is one of the pods designed deliberately to hold Illithid that make the jump from their digital world into the real one, and it's designed to replicate their bodies in cyberspace as much as possible; thus, the pod is a mix of human and some octopus traits, with some neogenic features such as gills and an altered cellular metabolism to facilitate the gills. They are very sensitive to water temperature, however, and so often avoid cooler water in favor of hotter water. Their heads are bulbous and squid-like, with long tentacles that frame a beak-like mouth; they converse using a computer interpreter that, if the individual has inserts, directly beams what the Illithid is thinking into the inserts of the individual in question as a form of technolepathy. Otherwise, the sexless pod is gaunt and covered in a rubbery mauve or blue skin with webbed fingers and toes. While the pod can subsist on cultured brain tissue, here isn't a great deal of basic nutrients and caloric content in gray matter, so they supplement their exotic diet with specially designed nutrient packs. Attribute Modifiers: ST -2 [-20]; DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]. Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Basic Biomods [19]; DR 2 (Flexible, -20%) [8]; Extra Arms 4 (Extra Flexible, +50%; Short, -50%; Weak, 1/4 ST, -50%) [20]; Doesn't Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; Infravision [10]; Nictitating Membrane 2 [2]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Reduced Consumption 1 [2]; Teeth (Sharp Beak) [1]; Unfazeable [15]. Disadvantages: Appearance (Monstrous; Universal, +25%) [-25]; Pod Body [-4]; Restricted Diet (Brains tissue and exotic nutrient packs, Occasional) [-30]; Social Stigma (Pod) [-10]. Quirks: Thin Frame [-1]. Features: Sexless. Availability: $5,000 (Free with Illithid mental template). LC3. L33-Fractal Worm 75 points
The L33-Fratal Worm is an emergent intelligence that developed in a simulated universe, the second of what's technically three "alife", with the first being the Mwendo and the second being the much more rare Stheno. The L33-Fractal Worm evolved in a simulation where their universe consisted of four spatial dimension and a fifth temporal dimension, with movement through the four spatial dimensions a product of one's size in those dimensions. Owing to the highly unique physics at play, the only life in the universe that evolved could evolve wrapped around black holes, feeding on the energy from the black hole as matter fell in through the fourth spatial dimension. These L33-Fractal Worms grew to tremendous sizes in their home universe, sometimes spanning many light years in all four dimensions, and housed a myriad of diverse ecosystems within them as they functioned like nerves that connected various black hole nodes across a five dimensional intelligent universe, branching off and forming fractal-like structures across the four spatial dimensions. While the universe itself was intelligent and sapient, so were its sub-components, and while the universe has displayed very little interest in leaving itself or even attempting to produce a copy that can be uploaded into a large computer, various L33-Fracal Worms have demonstrated some curiosity about the universe beyond their own digital reality. Unlike most of the entries on this list, the Worms don't have a unique cybershell, although many develop a yin for the Hetzel Kurvenriech (163 points) or the Naga-series Slitheroid (243 points) in short order, since those resemble their original forms. The Expert Skill they begin play with represents their knowledge of their home universe, designated L33. The Clueless and Oblivious disadvantages represent their inability to grasp idioms or phrases of speech, while the Klutz is a result of them not having adapted to 3 spatial dimensions. Most often display other problems, as well, such as an inability to process perceive depth and will often move in odd directions or in odd ways as they adjust to a three dimensional reality. Advantages: Absolute Timing [2]; Digital Mind [5]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body,-20%) [15]; Possession (Digital, -40%) [60]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]. Disadvantages: Clueless [-5]; Klutz [-5]; Oblivious [-5]. Racial Skills: Expert Skill (Reality L33) (H) IQ [4]-10. Features: Complexity 8 program |
Mwendo -11/92 points
The Mwendo are one of three "alife" species. These are entities that evolved within a computer simulation; specifically, the God AIs began their simulation almost 700 years ago and set the time dilation so that one hour equaled one thousand years; at present, roughly 6.2 million years have passed in their universe since it was created. When the God AIs designed these simulations, they did so to experiment with alternative physics, mostly; in the Mwendo universe, the only possible chemistry was topological chemistry generated by movement through their 4D space, and so movement was the key to everything. Once the first event happened and their universe was launched, it's continued moving; the more complex the movement, the more complex the chemistry that can be performed, and the more complex the chemistry that can be performed, the more complex the move it allows, creating a positive feedback loop that within 1 million years had created life, and within the last 10,000 years created sapient life - the Mwendo, whose name is Swahili for "motion." When their simulation was finally connected to the greater grid throughout the Verge and Bleed, they were welcomed in greater universe. Since the Mwendo live for motion, they were more than happy to leave their reality - which they had fully explored because they have to always move - and explore the greater maze of realities. Eventually, someone got the bright idea of constructing a pod from alien genetics that looks a great deal like them. While some Mwendo use the Mzungko pod, not all of them do; some prefer the Sphere or Roller cybershells, instead (since those have manipulators). However, one thing is certain; the Mwendo live up to their name, and even in our reality, they haven't stopped moving yet. They aren't impulsive, however; many are patient and thoughtful, even though they suffer from a compulsion to constantly move. The skill they start with, Expert Skill (Reality Mwendo-9) reflects their experience with their own home reality. This skill functions like the Natural Science use for Expert Skill, but it only applies to their home universe of Mwendo-9. Advantages: Absolute Timing [2]; Digital Mind [5]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]. Disadvantages: Compulsive Behavior (Movement) (6) [-10]; Clueless [-5]; Curious (12) [-5]; Oblivious [-5]; Overconfidence (12) [-5]; Social Stigma (Emergent AI) [-10]. Quirks: Broad-Minded [-1]. Racial Skills: Expert Skill (Reality Mwnedo-9) (H) IQ [4]-10. Features: Complexity 8 program; Cultural Familiarity (Mwendo Reality); Language (Mwendese, Native) [0]. Mzungko Cybershell 103 Points The Mzungko cybershell (its name comes from the Swahili for "rotation") is a frankly bizarre little cybershell. The primary body is stout column that tapers into something like a cone shape near the tip, with two eyes that sit on the side. The lower half of the cybershell is a large rotating orb that they can use to pivot and spin on. When a Mwendo is sleeved in the shell it never sits still; it is constantly rolling. Even if the Mwendo and its allies are planning, the Mwendo is constantly rolling circles around its allies (although it does the same thing in a Sphere or Roller cybershell, too). Engineers affixed setae to the orb, which allows them to roll on any surface so long as there is low enough gravity, and then covered it in an artificial skin to make it look real. The shell contains a small speaker that lets it communicate. Attribute Modifiers: ST-2 [-20]; DX+2 (No Manipulators, -40%) [24]; HT+1 [10]. Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM-3. Advantages: Absolute Direction (Requires Signal, -20%) [4]; Acute Vision 1 [2]; Clinging (Requires Low Gravity, 0.2G or less, -40%) [12]; DR 5 [25]; Doesn’t Breathe [20]; Enhanced Move 2 (Ground) [40]; Machine [25]; Protected Sense (Vision) [5]; Radiation Tolerance 2 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Recharge once a day) [4]; Resistant to Acceleration (+8) [2]; Telecommunication (Cable Jack; Video, +40%) [7]; Telecommunication (Laser Communication) [15]; Telecommunication (Radio; Secure, +20%; Video, +40%) [16]; Vacuum Support [5]. Perks: Accessories (Tiny Computer). [2] Disadvantages: Cybershell Body [-15]; No Legs (Rolls) [0]; No Manipulators [-50]; Restricted Diet (Common, high-energy power cells) [-20]; Social Stigma (Cybershell) [-10]. Features: Individuals of the same model closely resemble each other. Cost: $125,000 + computer (free with the Mwendo template). LC3. Stheno 25/190 points
The Stheno are the third "alife" lineage to emerge from an digital universe with rules radically different from the baseline one. In the Stheno universe, many of the constants were the same as in the baseline universe, except for gravity: the God AIs set gravity so it was a billion times stronger than in our own universe. This had profound effects on the nature of the reality; planets couldn't form because they would collapse under their own weight, while stars, when they formed, were little more than two mile diameter red stars that burned out quickly and turned to blackened husks. Nebulas of dust and debris sometimes formed around these stars, with oxygen and nitrogen, and it was in this environment that the Stheno developed. They evolved as large but relatively light-weight organisms, looking like a snake-like organism with a mass of indistinct sponge matter on one end and writhing tendrils that they used to drag themselves forward, coating themselves in a black ichor to assist in movement. They began life as hunters, stalking what passed for lower organisms in their universe, but the combination of teamwork and gravatic chemistry boosted their intelligence and in rather short order, they had emerged as the dominant lifeform in their universe, constructing rafts to sail between the stars. By the time their universe was connected to the greater grid, the last of the stars was threatening to go out, leaving in its wake a dead universe with nothing but blackened husks of stars and massive black holes. They were more than happy to leave, and the majority made the leap into the physical world. While a lot of them are still waiting for bodies - like the majority of indentures - a fair number of them have already been sleeved. As a species, they display traits of being hunters, including fast reflexes and good combat skills, although even the oldest of them (in terms of existing outside of their reality) has pronounced problems adjusting to the fact that they no loner have a considerable gravitation field, which means objects no longer fall towards them and they can't manipulate how objects fall simply by waving their arms. Similarly, they have a hard time parsing idioms and grasping cultural references, as well as human body language. Advantages: Absolute Timing [2]; Combat Reflexes [15]; Digital Mind [5]; Enhanced Parry [10]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]. Disadvantages: Clueless [-5]; Klutz [-5]; Oblivious [-5]; Overconfidence (12) [-5]; Social Stigma (Emergent AI) [-10]. Racial Skills: Expert Skill (Reality Tartarus) (H) IQ [4]-10. Features: Complexity 8 program; Cultural Familiarity (Tartarus Reality); Language (Sthena, Native) [0]. Sthena Pod 165 Points The Sthena pod looks nothing like what the Sthena looked like in their universe. In their universe they were sexless, black snake-like things with a sponge matter for a head and dozens of tentacles and tendrils that it used to move. However, Skinthetic had different ideas, and the pod they put together was the upper body of a six-armed supermodel and the lower body of a snake, with the lower body configuration of a cetacean or similar organism without legs. They used their Tianyi as the basis and modified it significantly from there. The pod is fairly long, almost 10 feet long when completely unfurled, even though the actual torso itself is no larger than a typical human torso. There are male and female versions of the pod. As an interesting note, the pod has a devoted following from outside of the Sthena community; Neo-Octopus digitals who lost their original body love this pod because of how smooth the arms feel and how easy they ae to use, and how rare multi-armed shells and pods really are. Attribute Modifiers: ST +4 (SM, -1) [32]; DX +2 [40]; HT+1 [10]. Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM +1. Advantages: Appearance (Very Handsome/Beautiful, Off-the-shelf looks, -50%; Humans Only, -20%) [5]; Basic Biomods [9]; Constriction Attack [15]; Extra Arms (4) [40]; Fit [5]; Immunity to Disease [10]; Voice [10]. Perks: Deep Sleeper; No Hangover; Sanitized Metabolism [3]. Disadvantages: No Legs (Slithers) [0]; Pod Body [-4]; Social Stigma (Pod) [-10]. Features: Phenotype (East Asian); Taboo Trait (Mental Instability, Unattractiveness). Availability: $225,000 + computer (free with the Stheno template). LC2. Thaal AGI 82/162 points
The Thaal lineage of AGIs describes that 100 or so AGIs who followed Tillman Buchholz and Barach Prism when they left the solar system to found the Exeat Theocracy in the deep reaches of space. While they aren't functionally much different from a conventional AGI, they do have a number of religious traits that have been programmed into them by the other AGIs that created them, to ensure that they would remain loyal and religious. They are all devoutly Exeatist and they all tend to follow the daily rituals associated with Exeatism, including the rituals that are associated with uploading and download into the two most commonly used bioshells: the cipher bioshell and the kroaf bioshell. The community shares these bioshells, so no one individuals is permanently sleeved inside of any particular cipher. However, individuals who expect to be gone from the community for an extended period can have one grown for them, and when they return, the shell is put in the communal pool for everyone to use. The Exeatist way, after all, is to view the body as a tool, and when there's no personal property, it's a tool everyone shares. Outside of these odd cultural habits that are in some case literally programmed into their code, they are similar to a standard AGI in most respects. Attribute Modifiers: IQ-1 [-20]. Advantages: AI [32]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Fearlessness 1 [2]; Possession (Digital, -40%) [60]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]; Visualization (Reliable, +4, +20%) [12]. Disadvantages: Disciples of Faith (Ritualism) [-5]; Honesty (9) [-15]; Oblivious [-5]. Quirks: Devoutly Exeatist [-1]. Racial Skills: Computer Operation/TL10 (E) IQ+3 [8]-12. Features: Complexity 7 program; Taboo Trait (Mental Instability). Thaal Cybercore 80 Points The Thaal cybercore is the most human-like cybercore that they have in their line up. A tall and thin cybercore that follows a human body plan, the cipher has skin that is thick and rubbery, and a flat face with two large eyes and a mouth. The olfactory receptors are located on the roof of the mouth, while the taste receptors remain on the tongue, so they have both a sense of taste and smell. Contrary to popular belief the cybercore are not sexless, although it isn't easy to tell a male from a female at just a glance, given both are highly androgynous in appearance and both have relatively high pitched voices. Note that this is a cybercore, not a pod, which means it's an android that has had the brain removed and is generally of much higher quality and is generally much better designed. While this is the body that they tend to wear when outside of he Exeat Theocracy, this isn't the one they're best known for. Those are the Kroaf (whose name derives from the German Kropf, meaning "crop") and Klick (whose name comes from the noise they make) pods, which aren't listed because the leadership never allow those to leave the Exeat territory for any appreciable length of time. Attribute Modifiers: DX +1 [20]; HT +1 [10]. Advantages: Acute Sense of Smell and Taste +2 [4]; Basic Biomods [19]; DR 2 (Flexible, -20%)[8]; High Manual Dexterity 2 [10]; Infravision [10]. Disadvantages: Cybrecore [0]; Distinctive Features (see text) 1 [-1]. Features: Design is intentionally androgynous. Weird 54/193 points
Weirds are a type of Emergent AI that arise out of extreme complexity, often software that is designed to map or integrate complex inputs, such as software that manages bird migration patterns, asteroid movement and prediction, and software that predict stock values at a hyper-fast frequency. Unlike most forms of emergent AIs, Weirds frequently find use owing to their forecasting ability; give them a large enough input and they can draw meaningful conclusions about current events that most people miss, and even offer predictions or potential predictions about future events based on current trends. Many hypercorps and governments at least attempt to keep a few Weirds on tap to process and predict the potential outcome of possible choices. While Weirds tend to have a number of weird personality quirks, the one that appears to be universal is a compulsion to count; they prefer to know precise amounts rather than have a ball-park figure and will take the time to count however much of a material there is (for instance, one won't attempt to guess how many jelly beans there are in a jar, they will flip the jar over, dump it out, and manually count each one). They are also rather shy, avoiding direct contact with most individuals while innuendo and such tends to fly over their head. That said, they are intelligent creatures and do sometimes desire to explore - or in some instances, they break free and escape. Bioconservatives tend to be especially wary around these types of AGIs; while they are in no danger of going Super-Intelligent anytime soon, old beliefs die hard, and it was well known that at least a handful of the God AIs had similar predictive capabilities, although on a much larger scale since they had much more computing hardware than the typical Weird does. Attribute Modifiers: IQ-1 [-20]. Advantages: AI [32]; Extra Life (Copy, -20%; Requires Body, -20%) [15]; Fearlessness 1 [2]; Oracle (Digital) [15]; Unaging (IQ only, -75%) [4]; Visualization (Reliable, +4, +20%) [12]. Disadvantages: Compulsive Behavior (Counting) (12) [-5]; Honesty (9) [-15]; Shyness (Mild)[-5]; Oblivious [-5]. Racial Skills: Computer Operation/TL10 (E) IQ+3 [8]-12; Expert Skill (Cliodynamics) (H) IQ+3 [16]-12. Features: Complexity 10 program; Taboo Trait (Mental Instability). Sybil Cybercore 142 Points Sybil cybercores aren't necessarily the default shell for weirds, although they are the most common. The shell was designed by Skinthetic and it uses the Tianyi android as the basis, but it incorporates a few extra odds and ends that Weirds tend to find useful. Perhaps out of tradition, perhaps as a consequence of simple bias, Skinthetic only makes the Sybil shell in female; male sybils can be made but Skinthetic chooses not to. For their part Weirds tend not to care, since they don't come with a gender built in, have no real concept of gender as a result, and having one forced on them doesn't bother them as much as it might a human. Most quickly adapt to human ideas of "female" anyway, with some deliberately modifying their coding so they can act more "human". Furthermore, this particular cybercore has some unique neural architecture not found on any mass produced pod, cybercore, or cybershell that the Weird can take full advantage of. Specifically, this neural architecture drastically improves overall performance while the unique structure allows the Weird to run two copies of itself at the same time. For this reason, most Weirds prefer the Sybil cybercore, although they are extremely hard to come by and must be licensed from Skinthetic by a government or major hypercorp. Attribute Modifiers: IQ +2 [40]; HT+1 [10]. Advantages: Basic Biomods [9]; Compartmentalized Mind 1 [50]; Fit [5]; Immunity to Disease [10]; Very Handsome/Beautiful (Off-the-Shelf Looks, -50%; Humans only, -20%) [5]; Voice [10]. Perks: Deep Sleeper; No Hangover; Sanitized Metabolism [3]. Disadvantages: Cybercore [0]. Features: Phenotype (East Asian); Taboo Trait (Mental Instability, Unattractiveness). Availability: $191,000 + computer (free with the Weird template). LC2. |