Automaton

Automatons are complex mechanical constructs found within Locus, primarily associated with the technological advancements of the current era. While numerous "Proto-Automatons" (mechanical devices lacking full Automaton capabilities, estimated around 100,000 units) exist, fully realized Automatons are considerably rarer, with estimates placing their total number at approximately 1,500 units across Locus. They are primarily found in major urban and industrial centers like Optinium and Fool's March.

The exclusive capability to design and manufacture complete Automatons resides with The Tinkers Guild. While other organizations may produce specific components, only the Tinkers Guild possesses the integrated tooling and comprehensive knowledge required for constructing an Automaton from inception. The initial impetus for their creation, attributed largely to the technocratic and academic interests of Quabis Steamwhistle, has evolved, though a market for replacing labor exists following the Imperial abolition of organic slavery. Due to the complexity and resource requirements of their construction, Automatons represent significant capital investments (often costing many thousands of Imperial Marks), making ownership largely the purview of wealthy individuals, corporations, or state entities.

Core Anatomy and Mechanics

An Automaton consists of two primary systems: the Frame (physical body) and the Cogitator (central processing unit).

Frame: Comprises a Chassis providing physical form and interaction capability, a Locomotion Engine for power, and a Governor regulating internal systems and damage response. Frame components are typically constructed from various metals and alloys.

Cogitator: Houses the Automaton's core intelligence and personality functions. It contains a Numeral Engine (processor), a Motivator (will/decision-making driver), and a Memory Bank (knowledge repository). The Cogitator is typically housed securely within the Automaton, separate from the main frame components to protect it from physical damage.

A defining feature is the use of Synchronized Rods to link the Cogitator to the Frame. Based on principles related to Immovable Rods, these paired rods utilize themselves as a reference plane, ensuring their rotational movements remain perfectly linked, even across dimensional boundaries. Multiple pairs (often 10-15) transmit rotational data, converted via belts or gears, allowing the Cogitator to receive sensory input and direct the Frame's actions.

The Cogitator processes information using a punchcard roll, stored within an extradimensional space analogous to a Bag of Holding. The Numeral Engine reads, interprets, and modifies this roll based on inputs from the Motivator and Memory Bank, enabling learning and adaptation.

Sensory input (sight, sound, etc.) is typically managed by sensors integrated into the Chassis, the type and fidelity of which can vary by model. Automatons possess inherent resistance to poison and immunity to disease due to their mechanical nature. They do not require sustenance, respiration, or sleep in the biological sense, but rely on their Locomotion Engine's power source. Loss of power induces a non-functional state where the Automaton remains conscious but immobile and unable to perceive externally.

Frame Variations

The specific components of an Automaton's Frame dictate its physical capabilities, appearance, and operational requirements.

Chassis:

• MK I "Industrial": The earliest public model. Bulky and inefficient but highly durable, providing substantial inherent physical protection. Designed for factory labor. Its appearance is overtly mechanical.
• MK II "Service": More recent design, prioritizing humanoid aesthetics for service roles (often exhibiting enhanced aptitude for social influence). Less resilient than the MK I but more agile. Its human-like appearance can induce unease in some observers.
• MK 0 "Prototype": A designation for bespoke or experimental chassis built for specialized tasks or testing new technologies (possessing varied specialized skills or tolerances). Appearance varies widely.

Locomotion Engine:

• Kerosene "Abraham": Most common type. Requires daily Kerosene refueling and access to air (can only function without air for a very brief period determined by its physical resilience). Kerosene is widely available in trade-connected settlements. Often indicates a standard model.
• Plumbum "Curie": Highly efficient Stirling engine. Requires rare Refined Plumbum, processed exclusively in Optinium and difficult to source. Sensitive to high ambient temperatures (operational efficiency decreases significantly in extreme heat). Often indicates high status or specialized long-duration deployment needs.
• Arcane "Magister": Powered by consuming magic items (duration based on item's power). Viewed by some engineers as technically unorthodox. Susceptible to anti-magic fields and dispelling effects (can suffer temporary system poisoning if dispelled). Fuel cost often results in seasonal or intermittent operation.
• Governor: Internal systems regulating power and response to trauma. Effects are subtle but observable in performance.
• Flywheel "Second-wind": Provides short backup power (maintaining limited function for a brief period based on its resilience) and gyroscopic stability (resists being knocked prone, limited flight capability in zero-gravity).
• Turbo "Recycler": Increases engine efficiency (Greater tolerance for operational stress, faster recovery from system strain). Can temporarily boost physical power for a short duration at the cost of subsequent system strain.
• Snap "Springsteel": Replaces belts with complex cables for speed and precision (increased base movement speed, faster reaction times reflected in initiative).

Cogitator Variations

The Cogitator's components determine an Automaton's mental faculties, personality, and knowledge base.

Numeral Engine: The "brain," processing the punchcard data.

• Royal Institute "Babbage": Standard, reliable pin-drop/differential gear system (Exhibits consistent, predictable results in tasks relying on intellect, intuition, or social calculation, treating uncertain inputs as average). Dependable but potentially lacks creativity.
• Tinker's Guild "Quabis": Mechanical sliderule/analog system (Can adapt its programming to gain temporary expertise in a chosen skill after a period of self-tuning). Adaptable, well-rounded.
• Mageharth "Thaumaturge": Uses arcane link to metaphysical concepts for computation (Possesses inherent thought-detection capability; relies on intellect, intuition, or social presence for this arcane function). Offers unique insights but may face scrutiny due to arcane nature.

Motivator: Provides drive and influences decision-making. Personality is more heavily influenced by the Motivator than the Numeral Engine.

• Lawset-Based "Asimov": Most common. Follows up to 5 sequential, literal textual laws (Violating causes psychic distress proportional to its complexity/experience). Laws can be modified via Tinker Tools (requires extended downtime). Vulnerable to having laws randomly altered by significant electrical discharge (though this is not widely known). Standard lawsets exist, but customisation is possible.
• Metaphysical-Based "Epistemic": Rare experimental design linked to metaphysical concepts. Decision-making is influenced by unpredictable internal shifts between prioritizing base needs, ethical principles, or a rational balance, potentially leading to erratic behavior (Violating chosen path causes significant psychic distress).
• Brain-Based "Cortex": Utilizes partial biological brain (typically deceased) for emotion/principles. Automaton becomes classified as "Humanoid" for legal/biological purposes, requires periods of rest. Raises significant ethical questions regarding sourcing and consent. Social perception is complex and often negative. Potential for residual memories/personality is implied. Does not negate engine fuel requirement.

Memory Bank: Stores and retrieves information.

Royal Institute "Lexicon": Vast pre-punched library of Locus knowledge (Can achieve enhanced certainty on intelligence-based tasks after a period of focused data retrieval). Comprehensive but requires time for access.

Tinker's Guild "Prognosticator": Uses complex orbital gear calculations for limited foresight (Demonstrates enhanced ability to avoid repeating failed attempts to resist ongoing detrimental effects). Provides probabilistic aid.

Montgomery and Co "Charlatan": Uses recorded Magic Mouths for voice mimicry (Can replicate voices convincingly enough to fool casual observers, though close acquaintances might detect inaccuracies). Raises ethical concerns regarding deception.

Society, Law, and Lifecycle

Under Imperial law, Automatons are classified as property. Their owners hold legal responsibility for their actions. While highly valuable as assets due to their cost and capabilities, they generally lack societal standing as individuals or citizens. The status of Cortex-equipped Automatons, classified as Humanoid, presents a legal grey area yet to be fully resolved.

The potential for rebuilding means that if the Frame is destroyed, the core Cogitator (containing memories and personality) can potentially be installed into a new Frame, assuming the Cogitator remains intact. This process is complex and expensive (requiring several work weeks and a significant sum, often many thousands of Imperial Marks), reinforcing their status as valuable assets requiring significant upkeep. Identity continuity through this process is generally assumed from the Cogitator's perspective.

The Inquisition holds an uncertain stance towards Automatons. Lacking biological life or souls (excluding the Cortex complication), they fall outside standard religious proscriptions. However, their capacity for independent thought and learning makes The Inquisition uneasy, potentially viewing synthetic intelligence as a future theological or political risk.

Automatons require regular maintenance. Cognitive degradation can occur due to "bad data" – corruption of the punchcard roll from system faults or external interference (magical or technological). Recalibration, performed by skilled technicians, involves diagnosing and correcting this corrupted data, potentially through logical restructuring or modifying the Automaton's Lawset (if applicable).