Forgeborn
You are alive yet somehow it doesn't feel quite like what that word should mean. You feel cold yet the warmth of existence encompasses the chill of the metallic shell you inhabit. You feel empty, yet it is not a sad feeling, but one that tingles with excitement. It is as if an unmolded mound of clay, an unpainted canvas. Your first words were your own and yet were not, but despite their importance, you do not feel they define you, for you are not even sure if the tongue you spoke them in is a language you speak. In this eternal moment, the storm of your soul within this shell, becomes what and whom it is meant to be. The shell dictates some restrictions of course, yet barely but any except perhaps body shape and things like height and weight. Yet even those you sense have a....malleability to them unique to what other bodies of beings you may meet. It is all so new and so fresh. As the craftsperson, you immediately know they are some sort of skilled crafter from the sights and sounds and...smells? In a body of metallics and gears and whirring machinery you can smell?? Somehow you just know that this craftperson is the progenitor, the maker of your form you now inhabit. After the phrase you say unlocks your tongue, speaking a language you know perhaps only by name, you suddenly are flooded with knowledge of a tongue. A common tongue. Valarian. As your mind whirrs and gears of your body become familiar to the spirit of your essence as you flex and move its various parts, learning to be comfortable within it, the voice of that person speaks, adding perhaps a second element to your initial birth. They speak and you hear, and understand and can respond in kind. They simply ask, "Forgeborn, what do you wish to be known as?"
Thus you come to this world, with such a mighty question. Whom are you, by what name will you go? Thus is the birth of a Forgeborn."
Thus you come to this world, with such a mighty question. Whom are you, by what name will you go? Thus is the birth of a Forgeborn."
Though a new ancestry and one from divine origins and quite rare, Forgeborn can be found on every continent of Valerick and in every nation. They are not a common sight but it is known they exist and not necessarily confusing to meet one, beyond an initial moment of needing to recognize what you are talking to and meeting.
Naming Traditions
Unisex names
All names of Forgeborn are unisex in nature due to the particular way they garner their names.
Family names
Forgeborn are unique in regards to their naming conventions but less so in regards to their 'family' names. Very often in that initial moment of their sparking to life, they will either instinctually pick some sort of surname that ties back to the marvels of the Evershift Workshop or alternatively they may simply ask and adopt the surname of their crafter, seeing them as a sort of 'parental' figure in that sense, though they spark to life more or less as functional adults, needing very little in the way of 'rearing' in the sense of children. They simply need to be properly acclimated and educated as to the society and various functions as they go about living in it.
Other names
Forgeborn most often will draw their names from their initial surroundings and the words in Valarian they immediately know for the things they can see. This can lead to some truly unique and odd sounding names. Below are some examples of the sorts of weird word and syllable combinations that have been used historically;
- Stomer (Stove and hammer)
- Drithe (Drill and Lathe)
- Forvil (Forge and Anvil)
- Magaw (Magnegraph and Saw)
- Griven (Grindstone and Oven)
Culture
Common Dress code
Forgeborn can be roughly modelled off any of the other races a little bit, and thus their sizes, and heights are comparable and their weight ranges would simply add 40kgs (88lbs) to account for the metal workings that is their body. This added weight doesn't add any bulk as it is their body.
Foods & Cuisine
You actually do need to eat, your inner workings unique in that you garner fuel from bio organic foods, to insure your engines maintain stability. Basically instead of digesting them, you break them down to raw manna and that manna helps keep the gem shards calibrated so that no one needs to reset your calibration weekly. However you only need to eat at a rate of 1/3 as much as a normal being of comparable size.
Common Myths and Legends
From a spirituality standpoint, due to the nature of their existence and what they are, it is far and away most common for a Forgeborn to come to venerate and worship Cormaq Thunderhand though this is by no means the only option it is just the one they feel most often drawn to.
Historical figures
Naturally due to the very deep connection that inherently exists, Forgeborn feel instinctive kinship and connection to Rian Gergauge
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Forgeborn find the more humanoid esque the shape the more they admire the form, seeming though to appreciate the benefits of their metallic and unique form, the physical shape being as close to possible in approximation to their fellow sapient beings is the ideal. However they also do enjoy the benefits of their metallic forms and magnetch bodies, with many keeping their own carrying vessel, much like a supply pack of sorts, with small bits of spare parts and tools. Those so lucky or to have been successful in life to afford such might even acquire a dimensional pocket in such a form and store entire 'outfits' of various parts they've commissioned or had made, or even perhaps depending if they choose such a path, they learned to make themselves. They decorate their exteriors beyond the simple metallic finishes with colors, adornments, sigils and more, showing culture and personality. A Forgeborn unmarked or lightly marked is seen as less traveled and less worldly and often quite 'young' and in some ways, due to the blank slate nature of the soul that brings life to a Forgeborn, less beautiful. Experience, wisdom, a storied life is beauty to Forgeborn, and the greatest beauty is the opportunity to have such a thing themselves, surrounded by companions, friends and peers in some form or another ideally.
Gender Ideals
Forgeborn, whilst they might have been constructed with a gendered form or shape in some fashion, do not have any sort of gender ideals initially and thus any they end up coming to possess in regards to other sapients are founded entirely as a matter of what they were exposed to and how the world has been explained to them by the people they've interacted with and learned from.
Courtship Ideals
Forgeborn are entirely asexual and furthermore, though they are 'alive' in the strictest sense and seem to feel both pain and pleasure stimuli in most fashions as any other sapient being, the metals of their form seeming to become as flesh via the strange magick and divine touch of their creations/births, they do not, in any way have the capability for sex or a sex drive. They simply do not feel such things, they do not have the prerequisite horomones or anatomy. This does not mean however that they cannot feel romantic attachment. They can even come to understand some of the less overtly sexual and more intimate physical needs of relationships with fellow sapients.
Often once again, a Forgeborn absorbs much of the culture they spend their times around initially, and very likely this includes the courtship rituals and ideals. They also have the strange dichotomy of being basically full grown entities from the moment of their creation, yet as if a consideration of the god of inventions about how the other peoples of the world view such things, their romantic thoughts and desires such as they do possess, do not manifest immediately. Though they still do, by comparison to other sapient species, still go through this at an accelerated rate that can make some understandably uncomfortable, going through their 'coming of age' as it were after about a decade of existence. However it is worth noting that they, through the divinity that 'created' them, do not start as infants, nor even children. They come into life as functioning adults or perhaps more comparably, teenagers, those on their way to adulthood. Speaking at least one language fluently, sometimes two, and with a pretty grounded understanding of basics of math, simple tasks and functions and also manners and self care such that you'd normally have to teach a child as they grow. Thus in this sense that accelerated development is not so strange.
"But isn't like kissing it strange Tessa? Like cold and unfeeling, and like...they are made of metal!? Wouldn't that feel icky?"
"What? No of course not. It isn't for everyone, however to describe Whevil as cold and unfeeling is rude and entirely a lie. Kissing them? Whilst yes not soft and with the warmth you might think of in flesh, comes with its own heat, and the metallic touch feels like crystal. Fragile yet strong, cool yet refreshing. Passionate yet tempered. Protective yet not overbearing. I love and adore them as anyone should their lover. Our terms of relationship might be different than many of you, and perhaps my distinct lack of desire for the sexual aspects confuses you, yet it is no less valid than any other relationship."
"But you wouldn't walk the tree, hand-bind, marry, whichever ritual you would go through..with them right? Like that would be strange no?"
"No it wouldn't Anders, you are being strange if anything. If they asked yes. Perhaps one day I shall ask them if I so desire and wish to stop waiting. They are my beloved, and I desire nor want no other in this life. That's all that matters."
Two friends discussing the peculiarities of one of their relationships with a Forgeborn.
Often once again, a Forgeborn absorbs much of the culture they spend their times around initially, and very likely this includes the courtship rituals and ideals. They also have the strange dichotomy of being basically full grown entities from the moment of their creation, yet as if a consideration of the god of inventions about how the other peoples of the world view such things, their romantic thoughts and desires such as they do possess, do not manifest immediately. Though they still do, by comparison to other sapient species, still go through this at an accelerated rate that can make some understandably uncomfortable, going through their 'coming of age' as it were after about a decade of existence. However it is worth noting that they, through the divinity that 'created' them, do not start as infants, nor even children. They come into life as functioning adults or perhaps more comparably, teenagers, those on their way to adulthood. Speaking at least one language fluently, sometimes two, and with a pretty grounded understanding of basics of math, simple tasks and functions and also manners and self care such that you'd normally have to teach a child as they grow. Thus in this sense that accelerated development is not so strange.
Relationship Ideals
For a Forgeborn, the physical aspects they do engage in, such as kissing, hugging, touching and holding/cuddling, these do all have value. They do feel them and get joy from them. However equally if not more important to a Forgeborn is the verbal, the mental, the love language that is both passions and debates. They adore learning and exploring the world and admire and feel attraction to those sorts of individuals with similar zests for knowledge and learning and whom have deep passions and can both speak in excitement and debate with vigor with them without holding grudges. They admire the mind certainly equally and perhaps more highly than the physical.
"But what is Tessa to you? You who cannot feel the longing for another in the most intimate of ways, whom cannot produce children? Explain it to me Whevil, please I sorely wish to understand, for it confuses and yet fascinates me."
"Anders your view is limited by your carnal wants and needs. Some could be insulted by your question but I am not. After all this is not a fault of you my friend, you were made that way with purpose. Your species, all of you of flesh, need to bear offspring and thus it only makes sense that most of you need such drives. Elsewise your species would cease to exist.
But not all of you are this way nor should you all be. That would indeed be strange. Tessa is unique in that way, she has no carnal drives in that fashion. Because of this, we are much alike in what we seek from romantic companionship, and I adore that I can fulfill her as she fulfills me because of that. However what is she to me? What is 'romance' to me? It is the beauty of her mind, the way she sees the world. The knowledge she shares with me, the experiences we share with each other. It is the flames of her passion, both when we agree and when those sparks flicker and burn me in vigorous debate. It is her touch, and the promise of what it means, her kiss is not merely a kiss, it is an oath of shared journeys through life, to learn, to grow, to become a story but together. Her hand in mine is merely a non verbal method of that oath, as mine is holding her own. Our relationship is not based on physical, the physical that we do share and indulge in enhances our joy. Our relationship is built upon who we are beyond the metals or flesh. Its the mind, the soul. Her energy empowers me with belief, as I do, I think, to her. Nothing more, nothing less. We lift each other, and that is more than enough."
Whevil explaining as best he can to Anders, what the feelings of the relationship with another of their band, Tessa, actually is, and the feelings and importance of it, and how it functions.
Forgeborn as Player Characters
Age
Forgeborn, though 'maturing' swiftly have noticeably lengthy lifespans, their bodies naturally quite resilient to breaking down. However no matter how skilled they are at maintenance and no matter how much they may continue to upgrade, rebuild or otherwise, like all truly alive creatures they do experience mortality. Forgeborn in particular measure their lives in centuries much like dwarves and elves though not quite as long, only living around 270-320 years, with the oldest known having just made it to 320 mere weeks before they simply went into rest mode and never came back awake.
Hit Points
12
Size
Small, Medium or Large
Attributes
12
Size
Small, Medium or Large
Attributes
- Boost to Strength
- Boost to Either Intelligence or Constitution
- Boost to Dexterity or Charisma
- Flaw to Wisdom
Languages
Valarian (Common)
1 other if you wish, tied to the Ancestry of your maker. Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it's positive). Can choose any but secret, unique or rare.
Forgeborn are a unique mix of tech and mortal. They are not truly alive, yet they are not fully a construct. This manifests in a few different traits and benefits listed below;
- Constructed Shell: You are in a lot of ways a construct, and two of the biggest ways this manifests are that though you do not suffer the full effects of Siegecraft from magicks dealing such damage, you are Vulnerable (3) to Thunder damage. Furthermore however you have Resist (2) to Fire, Cold, Lightning, and Necrotic damage. Beyond this you have a natural armor bonus of +2.
- Constructed Presence: You do not appear to register with detect life type magicks, and any attempt to Treat Wounds you has to be rolled with Crafting not Medicine. However you do have a sort of 'pulse' within your machinery's ambient noise and are very much alive as far as magicks of a healing nature are concerned, though they are less effective. You reduce any magick healing you take by 3 to a minimum of 1.
- Construct of Manna: Detect magick detects you even if nothing you are wearing or no parts of you are actively enchanted. Your magnicore engine registers, your living metal body registers.
- Sleepless Sleep: You are not immune to sleep, but do not sleep as most do. You are a level of aware, taking -6 to Perception and needing to spend a three action effort to boot up systems to get out of 'rest mode'. In rest mode you are immobile, and as noted only semi aware. Magick effects that would cause sleep inflict this state instead and you get to attempt your save each round against the effect until it ends or you succeed it, and should you succeed it, that turn immediately all three actions are spent for the rebooting protocol to 'awaken' you. This does unfortunately mean should you ever be stuck to suffer the full duration of such an effect for you it lasts a few seconds longer. You do have +2 to saves against such effects however.
ANCESTRY FEATS WILL BE DEVELOPED LATER AT SOME POINT I SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF TIME DURING SUMMERCAMP.
It is nice to see someone who writes TTRPG stats.