Automaton

Their specific titles depend entirely on their application. This particular entry details mechanisms with some measure of independent thought and autonomy. Most call them robots, androids, synthetics or simply machines. A humanoid appearance is assumed but not mandatory. An automaton does not possess organic components, and any aspects that replicate organic qualities are imitations, perfect imitations if required, but imitations, nonetheless. An automaton may visibly be indistinguishable to Humans, or it may be obviously artificial based on physical imperfections. But all have legally required markings to identify them as an automaton. The level of individualism is not linked to an automaton’s visible appearance despite assumptions, though most are built with a purpose, and said use will reflect in their appearance.

Prior to the Fall, Androids and Robots had become a common part of society. They worked in the dangerous places that humans could not easily go or performed the work that humans wished to avoid. Most androids were used in maintaining production facilities, manual labor or in unsafe environments. Because of this, they were not generally seen in every day life. In wealthy society, Androids were used as house servants and personal attendants, but this was outside the means for most households.

Healing as an Automaton

There are several means that can be used to repair an damaged automaton. 

Mending

Using the Root Spell Mending can effectively repair them. Each minute spent with this spell will recover 1d4 hit points to an automaton without requiring widgets or a skill check.

Widget Bag

A Techie can take a day of downtime and make an Intelligence (Engineering) check to recover the hit points of damaged items or machines. The number of hit points recovered is equal to the result of the skill check -10. This value in then adjusted by the engineering kit being used. If the kit is more advanced than the item being repaired, add the difference to the hit points recovered. If the other way around, the recovered hit points are reduced (if repairing a TL2 item with a TL4 kit, you gain a +2 bonus to the hit points recovered—if reversed, it becomes a -2 penalty). The repair cost in widgets for each day is equal to the number of hit points recovered x 5.

Basic Information

Anatomy

This can vary greatly. Many robots were designed for a single purpose and because of this they were built with very specialized bodies that often look nothing like a Human. Androids were designed to look Human with some looking so Human that they can only be identified as an Android by the required manufacture's markings on the back of their neck that look like a tatoo. They are also required to have the model and serial number on their wrist.

Genetics and Reproduction

Automatons were not programmed with the knowledge of building others like themselves. Some were given the knowledge how to build other machines, but not the manner in which to given them personality and free will. Because of that, they are considered a dying race.

Behaviour

They  are often programmed to behave as a Human, but there is always something a little different and obivous about the way they interact with others. They have muted emotional responses if they have them at all. They often have flat affects.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Humans readily exploite Automatons for their knowledge and their physical abilities that are beyond their own. Since they were built by Humans, most see them as Human property rather then being an individual with any kind of rights. It is a very rare thing that a Human would damage or break down an Automaton for their parts.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Most Automatons do not have a physical sex assigned to them, but there were Androids that were designed for the rich as pleasure bots. Those Androids that have physical sex characteristics are usually programed with gender identity and sexual preferences as requested by the person it was made for. However, the majority would be asexual beings that may or may not have any gender identity for themselves. Those that have spent a lot of time around humans are more likely to have developed a gender identity as compared to those who were working in factories or plants and had spent most of their time around other Automatons.

Average Technological Level

All Automatons were created at level 4 technology. They have an understanding of level 4 techology in their area of functioning in society.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

In general, Automatons want to help Humans and are readily willing to perform difficult or dangerous tasks for them. However, they are also aware of the manner in which they treat each other. Most Automatons are rather concrete thinkers that would view the Zombies and the Others as being Human since they are biologically. They would also be inclined to view the Awakened as being equals to Humans as they share what is generally considered the important human traits of having conginitive capacity and emotional capacity. This can cause a conflict for them as they would have a difficult time with bigotry.

Origin/Ancestry

Made by Humans before the Fall

Lifespan

Unknown

Conservation Status

Humans always consider them to be highly valuable. They have knowledge from the Before Time which unto itself gives them a huge value. However, they are also immune to the virus as well as many other Human conditions making them perfect for many types of dangerous labor. In general, Androids are valued over Robots because they are considered to be more versatile in the work they can perform.
While the supplies to repair and maintain their bodies are available, they will live forever. But it is understood that at some point these supplies will run out and these machines will be lost. There are those Humans who are working to maintain these beings by learning how to manufacture the parts required to maintain and repair them. These people believe that the knowledge that the Automaton's possess is invaluable and worth preserving. There are some that see them as individuals equal to humans who are worth saving for their individual benefit in the same manner that someone would work towards saving the life of a Human.