Official Approval Only Androids & Synthetics

Androids & Synthetics
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Androids & Synthetics are a milestone amongst all robotic & artificial engineering fields. The possession of intelligent subservient companions or workers was always a dream for the high class and ambitious. The Apex, Human, and Hylotl are among the three sentient races who have managed to accomplish such a feat.

Androids & Synthetics are incredibly intricate, expensive pieces of hyper advanced engineering. For this reason, they are a rare commodity owned primarily by the wealthy and high class.

While Androids & Synthetics might be feasibly constructed on an individual basis, The Coalition of Ophelia and Virgo (The Council) outlaws their creation, and heavily regulates the trade of crucial components necessary for manufacturing them.

There are four typical labels applied to Androids & Synthetics, each of which normally determines their complexity and era of development.

Phase I
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First Wave Automatons possess a functional bipedal body, and a basic artificial intelligence capable of driving it. They are obviously robotic in nature, commonly clunky and rugged with a stiff range of motion. Currently, Phase One androids are rarely produced, and reserved exclusively for menial labor. Given their vintage appeal, they could even be considered collector items.

Phase II
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Second Wave Androids were a step up from their predecessors. With a refined, sleek design and improved locomotive systems, they took on a much more organic nature and form, while still quite visually artificial. Advanced artificial intelligence systems allowed for more complex tasks and directives, and gave each droid a somewhat unique personality - albeit subtle. These androids are far more common than Phase One, and see the most commercial success amongst the four labels.

Phase III
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Third Wave Androids quickly introduced controversy to the world of robotic engineering. A significantly more advanced artificial intelligence, and the application of synthetic skin made it difficult to distinguish the androids from organics. While their interiors were still robotic, their exterior didn't show it. The only tell of their artificial nature was commonly the small segmentation lines running along their joints. Many protest the possession of Third Wave Androids, claiming them to be 'too alive' to own. They were produced in limited supply.

Phase IV
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With robotic engineering reaching such controversial levels, most manufacturers returned to developing Phase Two androids for commercial use. However, many resented the idea of stunting science and continued into phase four. Most governing bodies outlawed the production of Phase Three androids, and fully prohibited any further enhancement. However, these prohibitions wouldn't stop private facilities from developing the fourth wave in secret. Fourth Wave Synthetics are largely indistinguishable from organics by the naked eye (both inside & out), and possess many of the normal biological necessities: breathing, eating, sleeping, etc.

The moral debate regarding Fourth Wave Synthetics is a delicate, frightening one. Most politicians skirt the issue whenever possible. Many consider Fourth Wave Synthetics to be as free and alive as any sentient. The rest still see them as possessions, while a smaller few consider them abominations that have no place in the universe.​

Purpose
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All three commercial waves were designed for civilian use. The cost of mass producing androids or synthetics for combat was astronomical, and thus never came to fruition. They're perceived as a symbol of status and accomplishment, and of course - a possession.

With this in mind, many androids were not overly capable of very much. They were often designed to keep their owner company, and do simple menial tasks. While they could develop their skill sets, they were often prone to more subservient roles. Androids & Synthetics, as well as their masters, were incapable of altering their own base programming, meaning they could not be outfit for the purposes of "hacking" or interfacing with tech.

Playing an Android
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Many of the necessary components for building and creating autonomous artificial life is heavily regulated and restricted. These components are also incredibly costly and difficult to produce, leaving an advanced skill gate in the way of any mechanic or robotic engineer that most simply cannot surpass; especially alone.

As most androids & synthetic entities are possessed to display status and wealth, they do not have status of their own. In Core Sectors, the few Androids that exist do so as nothing more than property. However, in Fringe space, several have found themselves freedom.

Androids ARE NOT:

• Indestructible metal monsters. Most are durable for day to day use, but aren't much more durable than organics.

• Capable of interfacing with any and all technology. They can not "hack" things. Their mind is built to emulate a human. There are better, more dedicated tools for hacking that are less expensive than an autonomous human

• Modular to the point of being disposable. Since it is expensive to build an android, naturally it is expensive to replace parts. The skill barrier to assemble those parts is even more scarce. Furthermore, androids are outfit with pain receptive technologies to keep their AI from damaging themselves during tasks.

• Superheroes. They do not have any special abilities. In a lot of cases life will be more difficult because they are deviant entities. It is difficult to get medical assistance, since most doctors and mechanics are not trained to aid them. They do not have supernatural strength or durability.

Please seek staff approval prior to playing an Android or Synthetic character through the Character Questions contact forum.