Cybraxis

Cybraxis, A History...

Cybraxis are by far, one of the most bizarre, if not one of the most interesting creatures to come across in a SURGE! game. Cybraxis are types of sentient Mechanoids that are usually developed with a specific task or specialty in mind. They are not born, but are made through the artifice of another. While they are existential in the fact that they are self-aware, they do not have souls like other Mechanoids, such as Golems. Instead, they have an Arcane Core that acts as both their clamor to life, as well as their access to the magical properties of the world around them—allowing access to magic. 

Anatomy

Cybraxis vary by size, shape, and configuration so much that barely any two will look alike, although there may be some similarities between models that were made as part of a series. Still, ultimately the Cybraxis itself will choose the best course of evolution, and doesn’t necessarily hold the humanoid form as its ideal configuration. It would not be uncommon to find them with odd numbers of appendages, central nodes of optical sensors mounted on the body instead of a head, asymmetrical shapes, or any other configuration that wouldn’t normally be seen in other Mechanoids. Some are even said to become monstrosities in the wild. 

Basic model Cybraxis standardly begin with an optical sensor and an auditory sensor so they can sense their environments and take directions. Sadly, they do not usually have a Speech Processor, and so must use body language to communicate—much perhaps like an animal would (pointing, hopping, stomping, Etc.), but with a higher degree of intelligence. 

• Each Cybraxis begins as a 1’x1’x1’ creature.

• Each Cybraxis has equipment slots for two one-handed weapons.

Behaviors

Cybraxis are pre-programmed to self-improve. As they learn and develop their abilities, they also can make physical changes to their own architecture and body. They aspire to be the most efficient versions of themselves, to carry out their will — and sometimes that of their creators. Cybraxis usually begin with the minimum hardware required to be mobile and complete simple tasks, so self-improvement is necessary. 

Leveling Up

In addition to an Attribute Point, when a Cybraxis character gains a Character Level, the player may choose to permanently modify their body in one of several ways:

• Build an additional arm. 

  • Ability to equip a third one-handed weapon. 

• Grow in size no more than one cubic foot 

  • After growing to four feet, this character may equip any number of two-handed weapons at one time that it has the hands available to carry (1 weapon per 2 hands in this case).

• Build a leg/wheel.

  • Every four legs/wheels increases its Movement Speed by +5. 

• Integrate Heavy Armor 

  • Permanently increases Menace, and permanently reduces physical damage from taken attacks. Reduces Movement Speed by –5. This can be repeated, but once Movement Speed reaches zero, the character can’t move and the armor can’t be removed. (Yes, you can permanently park your character.) 

Cybraxis Stats

Creature Size

Small - Medium - Giant (range)

Default Trait

Each Cybraxis character begins with +1 to Intelligence.

Chosen Trait

Each player is presented with a choice at Level 1: 

• Choose 1 Skill to add +1 to a Skill Score; or 

• Choose 1 Upgrade to add +1 Up grade Points to (See Upgrade Points, below). 

Movement Speed

A Cybraxis character’s Movement Speed is standardly 10 ft. per action.

Base Health Points

When determining the starting HP of a Cybraxis character, the rolled amount will always be added to 10 Base Hit Points.

Recovery Points

A Cybraxis character’s Recovery Points is standardly +1 HP.

Menace

The Cybraxis Playable Species does not provide any menace for choosing it.  The default value for a Cybraxis character’s Menace score is 0. Menace rules for equipment still apply.

Upgrade Points

Whenever a Cybraxis character would gain/purchase a Skill Point (either through benchmarks, or bought with 3 BP) in the Buy Point leveling system), the player may choose to either add a point (+1) to a given Skill Score as normal or convert the Skill Point to an Upgrade Point. These are allocated to Upgrades.  Upgrades require that the necessary Upgrade points are allocated.  For example: The Thermal Vision Upgrade requires two Upgrade Points. Therefore, it would take two Skill Points to allocate points towards that Upgrade. Once Skill Points are converted to Upgrade Points, they can not be reverted back to Skill Points. Once the decision is made, it is final. 

Example: 6 BP = 2 Skill Points = 2 Upgrade Point; and 2 Upgrade Points unlocks the Night Vision Upgrade.

Upgrade Points may be saved and used at any time to purchase upgrades.

Upgrade Options

Enhanced Treads

• Requires 3 Upgrade Points

• Reduces movement speed penalties from Rough Terrain and climbing by -5.

Fabricate Gemstone

• Requires 6 Upgrade Points

• Create a pressurized replicate of a gemstone, that only works when integrated with a Cybraxis Arcane Core (can't be scavenged and used as a typical Gemstone.  Provides -1 Casting Time on Spells in a specified school of magic at the time of creation.  This allocation can't be changed later.

Grappling Hook

• Requires 3 Upgrade Points

• Create a retractable Grappling Hook and attached metal cable that can be launched using the Mechanical Skill to determine success, up to a range of 50 ft.  If the Grappling Hook attempt is successful, the Cybraxis may climb up to the length of the deployed Grappling Hook assembly without requiring Strength Challenge rolls or taking penalties to movement speed.

Night Vision

• Requires 2 Upgrade Points

• An added optical sensor that enables the Cybraxis to see in complete darkness.

Speech Processor

• Requires 1 Upgrade Point

• Provides the ability to speak and cast spells.

Thermal Vision

• Requires 2 Upgrade Points

• An added optical sensor that enables the Cybraxis to detect thermal signatures.  (Use the Mechanical skill for challenges and contested rolls)

Tool Fabrication Mint

• Requires 3 Upgrade Points

• Uses the Cybraxis’s engineering mind and capable minting skills to develop a mold for producing one type of craftable Tool from the Item List. To use, the materials are ingested by the Cybraxis, and then pulls the fabricated tool out of a mold receptacle without requiring a Challenge roll (Auto-Success). 

• Once the upgrade is complete, you may fabricate that tool without rolling the crafting Challenge roll, provided that you have the crafting materials. Tools made this way can be shared with other party members.