CaseCybershell [Anthropomorphic]"Case" is a generic term for any cheaply produced cybershell; these cybershells have been around since the first AIs were engineered, but in the interplanetary period, "case" was a reference to any cybershell; specifically, a type of cybershell that fell out of fashion with the majority of the population. However, with the Ascension Crisis and the Swarms, and the need for bodies for digital citizens, the cheaply engineered mass produced cybershell has come back into fashion, and it has had the term "case" applied to it. The best known "case" line are the Ouren-series humaniform line produced by Simply Robotic; these are reviled for their cheap construction and nature, but while the Ouren-series are the best known, there are any number of other variants that suffer from similar problems.
Cases almost always have some type of physical, or more rarely, mental, issue given the poor design specs, the haste at which they were constructed, or the general poor quality of the materials that they were produced with. Often, these flaws aren't known when the AI or digital first sleeves into the body, but they quickly make themselves apparent the longer the AI or digital stays in the body. These can range from the psychological - poor programming leading to bad memory retention, leading to Absent-Minded [-15] or Short Attention Span [-10*]. Sometimes, the programming follows pre-programmed instructions, leading to Compulsive Behavior [-5, -10, -15]. Other times, they are intention: Addiction to various narcoalgorithms is a very popular tool used by companies that sleeve their digital work force in these cases. However, more often than not, they're physical problems: Bad Back [-15 to -25], Bad Grip [-5/level], Bad Smell [-10], Combat Paralysis [-15], Ham-Fisted [-5 or -10], Klutz [-5 or -15], Neurological Disorder (Mild) [-15], Noisy [-2/level], Vulnerability (Electrical Surge, x2) [-20], or higher levels of Maintenance [varies] and Restricted Diet (specific fuel) [-20 or -30] are among the most common. Despite being of poor quality, these are one of the dominant body types in the Verge and Bleed, common throughout the sphere as governments and corporations struggle to find bodies for their digital citizenry. Interesting Facts
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Case "OUren-2 Humaniform" 14 points
Attribute Modifiers
Advantages Perks Disadvantages Quirks Features Cost |
HT +1 [10].
Absolute Direction (requires signal, -20%) [4]; Machine [25]; Photographic Memory (Recorded data only, -20%) [8]; Telecommunication (Cable Jack; Video, +40%) [7]; Telecommunication (Radio; XP, +80%) [17]. Accessory (Cyberbrain, Tiny Computer) [2]. Cybershell [-15]; Maintenance (Electronics Repair and Mechanic skills, 2 people, Monthly) [-4]; Restricted Diet (Very Common, fuel cells) [-10] ● -15 points in appropriate secret physical or mental disadvantages selected by the GM that the player is initially unaware of. Has a neck but no special effects [-1]. Individuals of the same model closely resemble each other. [0] $14,000 + cost of computer. LC 4. |
Case Variants and Family
The case is not a popular synthetic; it's cheaper and more readily available than a conventional Synth, but the case is often a literal case of "you get what you pay for." However, this cheapness and ready availability are precisely the things that make a shell popular, and this is also true for the Case, which does have a handful of off-shoots - either attempting to fix the problems or by working around them.
Gomi (-8 points):
Ouren-0G (+19 points): Ouren-3 (+6 points): Ouren Super (+10 points): Ouren-X (+20 points): |
While the Case is bad, the Gomi somehow manages to be even worse. The Gomi uses slightly less materials and as a result, is much faster to make - until the AGI in question attempts to mesh with the neurocircuitry and the body. The Gomi is often called the Case and while the problems with manipulation and proprioception are well known, unscrupulous design houses looking to capitalize on the open-source nature of the Gomi often cut corners in other ways, so even more problems slip through, all the while marketing their Gomi as an Ouren-2 or Ouren-3. Add Ham-Fisted [-5] and Klutz [-5]. Price varies depending on what it's being passed off as; usually between $2,120 and $2,900; LC 4. 7 points
The Ouren-0G is a model of the Ouren designed to function in microgravity conditions and to do EVAs. It's not as efficient at the job as some of the better designed cybershells, but for the price, a spacer crew could do worse. Add Extra Limb 2 (Foot Manipulators, -30%; Short, -50%) [4], Radiation Protection 5 [10], and Vacuum support [5]. $2,887, LC 3. 33 points. The Ouren-3 is an improved version of the Ouren-2, with better fuel consumption and conservation. Add Reduced Consumption 3 (Recharge/refuel once a week) [6]. $2,180, LC 4. 20 points. The Ouren Super comes with a slightly stronger case and is a bit more robust than the standard Ouren. It also has slightly better integrated circuitry, which gives it more grace and improved handling. Delete ST -1 [+10] and add DX +1 [20]. $2,900, LC 3. 34 points. The Ouren-X is an experimental model designed by Fang Jia-Kugutsu; only about 20,000 of the models exist. It experiments with some of the neural architecture of the brain and the robot's nervous system boosting reaction time and speed. However, there are still some issues in coordination. Add Basic Speed +0.50 [10], Combat Reflexes [15], and Klutz [-5]. $4,640, LC 3. 34 points. |
Griefer [Anthropomorphic] |
-7 Points |
Some shells are unintentionally garbage. The Griefer is not one of those shells. Deliberately designed to be shit, the Griefer is a design that is functionally a throw away cybershell designed to be a griefer. They are intended to be used by trolls to harass, harry, and pester specific individuals or to gather in flash mobs to harass the public in general. Griefers are illegal in most habitats, and killing a griefer isn't even considered destruction of property to most people.
Attribute Modifiers
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers Advantages Perks Disadvantages Features Cost |
ST -2 [-20].
HP -1 [-2]; Basic Move +1 [5]. Absolute Direction (requires signal, -20%) [4]; Machine [25]; Mimicry [10]; Photographic Memory (Recorded data only, -20%) [8]; Telecommunication (Cable Jack; Video, +40%) [7]; Telecommunication (Radio; XP, +80%) [17]. Accessory (Cyberbrain, Holographic Projector, Tiny Computer), Penetrating Voice [4]. Cybershell [-15]; Maintenance (Electronics Repair and Mechanic skills, 2 people, Weekly) [-10]; Reputation -4 (Irritating Griefer Shell, Everyone, All the Time) [-20]; Restricted Diet (Very Common, fuel cells) [-10]; Social Stigma (Clanking Masses) [-10] Individuals of the same model closely resemble each other. [0] $7,000 + cost of computer. LC 0. |