BiocoreCybershell [Anthromorphic, Exotic]The biocore is a relatively old version of the cybershell; in fact, the term, "biocore", doesn't refer to a specific model of cybershell, but a type of cybershell; it's a type of cybershell (or pod) that has been around since arguably the beginning of the Interplanetary Period, if not before. Prior to the invention of longevity drugs, certain humans would attempt to avoid death by having their heads preserved cryogenically. While this was a lost cause, and they died anyway, the concept of transplanting a head or brain onto another body remained a major focus of medical science. The biocore, a cybershell or pod that use a biological mind, is an example of this in action. Many thought that biocores were going to be the way for immortality until drug treatments and mind uploading arrived, and many bioconservatives who have no problem with cybershells still prefer transplating their brain into a cybershell or pod rather than uploading, feeling as if they keep their "soul" alive in the process.
A biocore is a complicated piece of machinery, but at its heart, it simply replaces the cyberbrain with a biological one, using what's called a brain containment life support unit, or what many folks just call a brain bin. BCLSU provides the brain with the fluids and nutrients that it needs to keep going, but it requires feedstock, since it's functionally a nanofabricator that uses the power cells of the cybershell in order to maintain power. Thus, it requires two types of fuel rather than one, which is the norm for bioshells. Most individuals who opt for a biocore also opt to get synthetic skin coverings and otherwise make themselves appear and like and function like biologicals, although some eccentric individuals may opt to keep the pod or cybershell appearance of their bodies. Since this is not necessarily a stand alone cybershell, this template can be combined with any other cybershell or pod template; if done so, remove the Cyberbrain meta-trait from the Pod and adjust the point costs accordingly. It is possible to have a biocore bioshell; these are just android bodies that are grown properly into which a normal brain is transplanted, allowing the individual to change bodies in a relatively time consuming manner. Interesting FActs
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Biocore 51 points
Attribute Modifiers
Advantages Perks Disadvantages Features Cost |
HT +1 [10].
Absolute Direction (requires signal, -20%) [4]; Cortical Stack [6]; DR 2 [10]; Immunity to Metabolic Hazards (Non-skull hit locations only, -10%) [27]; Injury Tolerance (Unliving; Non-skull hit locations only, -10%) [18]; Photographic Memory (Recorded data only, -20%) [8]; Sealed [15]; Telecommunication (Cable Jack; Video, +40%) [7]; Telecommunication (Radio; XP, +80%) [17]. Accessory (Tiny Computer) [1]. Electrical (Non-skull hit locations only, -10%) [-18]; Maintenance (Electronics Repair and Mechanic skills, 2 people, Monthly) [-4]; Restricted Diet (Common, feedstock and fuel cells) [-20]; Social Stigma (Clanking Masses) [-10]; Unhealing (Total) [-30]. Individuals of the same model closely resemble each other; Same 0-point features listed in the Machine Meta-Trait (p. B263); Taboo Traits (non-brain cybernetics). [0] $40,000 for the brain case + cost of computer + cost of cybershell template. Same LC of base template; by itself, $91,000 + cost of computer. LC 3. |
Biocore Lens (-23 points): The Biocore can be applied to any Cybershell; the above template assumes a Synthetic cybershell, but any shell larger than SM -2 can house the equipment necessary to keep a biological brain alive. Delete Cybershell Body [+15] and Machine [-25] and add Electrical (Non-skull hit locations only, -10%) [-18], Immunity to Metabolic Hazards (Non-skull hit locations only, -10%) [27], Injury Tolerance (Unliving, Non-skull hit locations only, -10%) [18], and Unhealing (Total) [-30], and the same 0-point features as the Machine Meta-trait. Replace the listed Restricted Diet with Restricted Diet (Common, feedstock and fuel cells) [-20]. While it's not entirely realistic that Biocore wouldn't have Fatigue - the brain is still biological - the body does not try, and that's ultimately what fatigue represents. It requires both feedstock to keep the brain alive and fuel cells. Since the biocore is a biological brain, this means that the Cybershell has a personality that is independent of the AGI, and so an AGI template isn't needed. A common tactic is to apply it to a high end synth and then use the Living Flesh and Synthetic Organs lenses listed under Synth.