Sneak Peek - Cybernetics

Every Monday during the lead up to the KickStarter launch (16th January 2017), we have promised a sneak peak of something contained within the core manual. This week it is ...

Cybernetics

An antique technology

Cybernetics is the merging of machine parts with the human body. Cybernetics as a medical practice reached its height in the 29th Century until progenitor cell technology became available. Previously if a person lost a limb or organ it could be replaced with a mechanical substitute. These days most people, if they suffer an accident or birth defect that requires an artificial replacement, have new organs made from their own genetic information. A replacement heart, for example, really is the same heart as the one it has replaced (minus a few genetic and muscular defects that made the replacement necessary in the first place!)

In about 1% of cases progenitor cell technology is not effective due to bodily rejection. In these cases cybernetics are still used to save and extend lives. However this comes at a cost. Cybernetic augmentation is considered taboo in most of the galaxy; the idea of people, willingly or not, replacing parts of their bodies with machinery is considered mildly horrific. The reasons for this prejudice are complex and varied. On the one hand cybernetics harkens back to a time when the richer half of the population had access to progenitor cells and the poorer did not, implying that cyborgs are, by their nature, paupers. Additionally some cyborgs have been horrifically ‘hijacked’ by terrorist hackers, and used as puppets to kill others or mutilate themselves to terrify the population. Increasingly, though, this prejudice is fuelled through a corrosive media idea of correct body image. The perfect body is never portrayed as a mechanically dependant one, despite the efforts of a number of noble campaigners.

Cybernetic Horrors

There is one other reason for cybernetic prejudice, although it applies only to a small number of the cyborg population. A few cyborgs deliberately replace parts of themselves with enhanced, combat improving limbs and machinery, going so far as to replace healthy limbs and organs to turn themselves into super-people. It goes without saying that anyone who would willingly mutilate their own body to become an enhanced killing machine is spoiling for a fight – and much current fear towards cyborgs comes from these terrifying human monsters.

Not all living cyborgs made the choice to convert willingly. On some independent worlds recruits to a dictator’s armies are forcibly converted into cyborgs to help them cope with the extremities of war. In the aftermath of such a war these cyborg-soldiers often become an embarrassment to the government, who attempt to confine or do away with their troublesome saviours. In the eyes of the common people, however, cybernetics represent an existential horror of what might become of them if chance or medicine fail them. This fear often manifests itself as hatred. Growing up as a cyborg on a civilised planet is the loneliest experience a child can have.

Playing a Cyborg

When you create your character, or if you later need or desire it, you can choose to become a cyborg. Such a decision should not be made lightly. Although you will gain access to technology which can turn your character into a nigh-indestructible powerhouse, you will face extraordinary suspicion and prejudice. Additionally some of your common humanity will be lost, for the more dependent you become on machinery the more you will dull the fight or flight instincts of your human ancestry. Even having something simple and hidden, such as cybernetic lungs, will dull your mortal edge for such a cyborg never knows simple breathlessness or understands the limits of the human body with their mechanically operated air supply.

In game this equates to a permanent Karma point loss. If you fit a pair of cybernetic arms you will have 6 fewer Karma points than a normal character of your rank. You will be able to lift incredible loads and your punches are devastating, but you’ll have fewer opportunities to use Karma Capabilities such as Dive Aside to avoid incoming blows or Instinctive Aim in spaceship combat.

If you are the kind of player who prefers to have permanent bonuses to improve their character rather than rely on powerful one-shot powers, or someone who prefers to be feared rather than loved, cybernetics will give you access to a whole host of powers. Just make sure you don’t lose all your Karma points! Escape Death is too handy an ability to sacrifice just because you want an extra +1 bonus to hit.

Sample Cybernetics

Arm Upgrades: Gain a bonus to damage in Fighting and Melee combat and lift huge loads. Further enhance your arms with Toxin Injectors, Cyberclaws and hidden Retractable Laser Pistols.

Leg Upgrades: Move faster and gain the ability to resist knockdown attacks. Further enhance your legs with Jets that can allow brief periods of flight.

Replacement Internals: Replaces ribcage and essential organs in the torso with armoured components to give you a big boost to your Endurance.

Replacement Nervous System: Replaces spinal cord and primary nerve endings with superfast components. Gain a bonus to your Dodge defence.

Armoured Carapace: An armoured carapace is a series of heavy plates connected to your skin, bone structure and other cybernetics. You can no longer wear clothes or other armour once you have such a carapace (don’t worry, your dignity is covered … or entirely replaced with metal plates). Because cyborgs don’t benefit from Social Factor bonuses from clothing this doesn’t matter too much. However this does mean that you cannot wear a flight suit or a space suit, which leaves you vulnerable to the hard vacuum of space. More advanced versions of the armoured carapace provide space-suit like capability, but cyborgs early in their career must be especially careful.

Cybernetic Eyes: New eyes that give you bonuses to ranged attacks and to your perception score.

That's it for cybernetics, but keep checking back for more reveals, game play discussions and competitions coming soon.

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