Robot

Security: Observer-, Patrol- & Terminator-Class

Security robots come in a wide variety of makes and models, with a near-endless variety of customizations based on both the manufacturer and the aesthetics and needs of the consumer. Crafted with advanced user interfaces mimicking moderate intelligence, but without any of the emotions, unpredictability, or bias of a true AI or sentient creature, security bots are an eminently practical, reasonable solution to a wide variety of security needs. Unlike full-on military models, security robots usually come preprogrammed with certain fail-safes preventing them from engaging in violence beyond what’s necessary for the protection of their assigned population or property, making them a go-to option for police forces, corporations, and even wealthy individuals looking for peace of mind. One of the cheapest and most common types of security robot is the observer. Observer-class bots are usually small, flying robots designed primarily to record and report specific unsavory activities for later review by their owners, though they are also equipped to fend off minor threats. Whether buzzing through the access ducts of secure facilities or hovering over crowded marketplaces, observers are nearly ubiquitous in some advanced settlements. On Absalom Station, the most prominent brand is AbadarCorp's VizAll, a flying orb with gentle contours designed to put citizens at ease, with a central eye, stubby fins, and relentlessly cheerful speech patterns. Aballon's Sunward Corporation produces the more disconcerting Arbitron, whose insectile form mimics those of the resident Anacite, while Triaxus's Bluescale Industries crafts theirs to resemble tiny, mechanical drakes. Regardless of their shape, however, observers are known for their convenience, but they are infamous for their limited nuance—a problem for owners who forget their own security passphrase. Some of the cheapest models also have faulty programming that causes them to develop personality quirks, making a particular bot act especially aggressive, friendly, or even dejected. Patrol-class security robots are more humanoid in shape, standing about 6 feet tall with integrated armaments that keep the robots’ limbs free to apprehend offenders and engage in close combat. Given their deadlier weaponry and tougher armor plating, patrol-class security robots (sometimes simply called “patrol bots”) are more regulated in their sale and use. They are found mostly in large space stations and corporate facilities under government or syndicate control. As with observer-class robots, these models run the gamut from four-armed Idaran Peacekeepers to the artistic Castrovelian Linewalkers that guard against dangerous jungle beasts, yet the overwhelming industry leader is AbadarCorp’s Town Guard series. With blank, circular faces of glass or glowing energy and cleanly contoured limbs capable of folding up for easy storage, AbadarCorp’s patrol bot is a triumph of industrial design and defense. This model’s reputation has been further boosted due to the fact that it’s the only model of patrol bot currently used by Absalom Station’s government, with many going straight into service from the corporation’s manufactories in the Spike. Unfortunately, not all security bots end up working for law-abiding corporations or state governments. Various planets in The Pact Worlds system have their own rules about who is or is not licensed to own a security robot, and the Pact Worlds government generally finds it easier to look the other way than to get embroiled in the contentious issues of rights-to- weapons and planetary sovereignty. As a result, it’s not difficult for individuals to purchase security robots entirely unregulated on the black market, albeit at a high cost. In cases where a world outlaws such sales, these models are usually formerly legal models that have been stolen and cracked by hacker gangs, while in other places corporations quietly sell to known criminal enterprises without asking questions. Such security robots are sometimes marked by their owners to show their “allegiance”—they might be painted with gang symbols or have their heads replaced with disturbing mannequin busts. Other groups maintain their robots’ official appearances, the better to carry out kidnappings and extortion. Because of this, passersby occasionally stumble across pitched firefights between squads of similar-looking security robots. Those who wish to get involved must be careful to identify each side’s master, as they could find themselves unintentionally taking sides in a gang war. Though both observer and patrol models have safeguards to protect against it, glitches can occasionally develop in a security robot’s firmware, often the result of massive damage sustained during a firefight or improper diagnostics after such an altercation. In such cases, the glitch can override the bot’s usual baselevel programming regarding tiers of force and the logic of conflict escalation, or even its protocol to protect the innocent. This can result in a bloody rampage, with the robot either going berserk over perceived violation of nonexistent laws, or technically following the law but executing lethal punishment for even the smallest infraction. Even worse, an infected patrol bot’s nanites can carry its corrupted code like a virus, turning other security robots rogue. When this occurs, manufacturers like AbadarCorp are usually quick to hire discreet “contractors” to deal with the menace (as maintaining their own strike-and-disassembly force would publicly acknowledge the threat). Favored by wealthy corporations and government-funded security firms, the expensive terminator-class security robots are equipped with weapons that are more robust than those of their patrol-class counterparts, as well as specialized processors that allow them to gain a boost of speed. Terminator-class security robots are humanoid in appearance, but much larger. They are bipedal and typically stand 8 to 12 feet tall, though some manufacturers are known to create quadrupedal versions of this construct. Most terminator-class security robots have smooth, ovoid heads, with a single camera lens serving as the construct’s visual sensor.

Assassin & Siege

Assassin robots are killing machines useful for stealthy slayings or gruesome public displays. A user can program targets into the robot, dispatch the unit, and rest assured. The robot relentlessly pursues its quarry, fearing nothing and using microfiber setae on its hands and feet to traverse vertical and horizontal surfaces with ease. Whether it succeeds, fails, escapes, or suffers destruction, the robot leaves little evidence behind—an assassin robot that is captured or destroyed automatically purges its memory and burns out its sensitive hardware components, making tracing the robot’s mission and origin extremely difficult. Typical assassin robots are 6 feet tall, weigh 300 pounds, and use the weapons detailed in the stat block on page 108, but they can be outfitted with other armaments as a mission requires. In particular, assassin robots on missions where more subtlety is called for use needler pistols stocked with poisoned darts. There is nothing subtle, however, about a siege robot. These machines serve as artificially intelligent assault vehicles, and many rightly fear these engines of war. Merciless and efficient, a siege robot is as effective at unloading massive damage against a single target as it is at mowing down enemy troops en masse, and its vehicle form makes it difficult to escape from on an open battlefield. Most siege robots are outfitted with large reserves of ammunition, enough to sustain a constant barrage for minutes at a time.

Guardian & Keeper

Guardian robots have become something of a status symbol among business leaders and politicians in the Pact Worlds, and a whole range of defense-focused robotic bodyguards of all shapes and sizes are available. Most guardian robots are crafted to appear as unassuming humanoids of a certain species and usually have a quiet and deferential virtual intelligence. They constantly scan for potential nearby threats and endeavor to stay close to their handlers, engaging opponents from a distance using grenades or weighted nets. The desire to create autonomous defensive constructs can sometimes lead to unfortunate results, however, especially when time or a natural disaster alters a robot’s programming. A collection of massive drones known as keeper robots stalk the wild and forgotten areas of Castrovel seeking to destroy intruders, their original directives clearly corrupted into a surprising ferocity. Usually nonhumanoid in appearance, keeper robots are dangerous and implacable opponents. Some stand about 14 feet high on eight legs and weigh several tons. Scholars believe these keeper robots were designed to protect lands and resources from would-be scavengers at some point during The Gap. Interestingly, the Xenokeepers have led a campaign to keep Castrovel from amassing a small fighting force to destroy the keeper robots, arguing that the constructs provide a natural deterrent to poachers and others who would pillage the natural resources or archaeological finds of an area, since keeper robots are known to ignore the surrounding native wildlife. Recent reports have noted the existence of keeper robots on other planets outside of the Pact Worlds, looking as new as if they had just rolled off the factory floor, and sporting more modern weaponry. This has sparked a flurry of speculation about these robots’ origins. One of the more outrageous theories bandied about various infospheres is that keeper robots weren’t created during the Gap but at some point in the far future and were sent back to secure (or even destroy) some mysterious objective.

Incapacitator

Incapacitator robots are built to restrain and subdue, so they are popular among bounty hunters who want to bring quarry back alive and also among security forces with safety concerns. Their large, padded fists strike hard but focus on getting a subduing hold on targets and are designed to deal no lasting damage. When forced to deal with targets at a distance, the robots hurl stickybomb grenades to slow down their marks while closing to melee range. Barring that, integrated shock pistols allow the robots to use jolts of electricity that cause muscles to seize up. Specialized programming allows the robots to strike at a hampered target’s weak points. Most models of incapacitator robot are shaped like hemispheres balanced on four articulated legs. Two to three arms used for striking and grabbing jut from the hemisphere’s top surface, along with an integrated weapon on a rotating turret. A single sensor bar runs the entire circumference of the robot’s body and can see in every direction at once. These models stand about 5 feet tall, 5 feet long, and 5 feet wide. They can weigh up to 1 ton. Some manufacturers build incapacitator robots, especially those used in public sectors, to have a more humanoid appearance. These may have friendly faces and a layer of soft, cushioning material enclosing the robot’s frame. Sometimes colloquially referred to as “hugbots,” these models can envelop their targets in a crushing embrace that can squeeze the breath (and consciousness) out of almost any living creature. The typical “hugbot” is about 7 feet tall and weighs 750 pounds.

Mining

Mining robots are far from exotic, but neither are they common since they are expensive tools. Such automatons allow mining companies to harvest ore and minerals from dangerous locales, such as airless asteroids and planets with high tectonic activity. A mining robot has an integrated drill arm, a cutting arm, and finer manipulators that allow it to sort through the rubble it creates. A typical model also has built-in harmonic resonators to soften earth and stone, making it easier for the robot to burrow into the ground. Construction and terraforming enterprises employ similar models of these industrial robots. The Dwarven mining corporation Ulrikka Clanholdings is known to make the best mining robots the galaxy has to offer. Outfitted with sturdy magma blades, these constructs can slice through rock like a heated knife cuts through butter. Ulrikka sells the robots to other mining outfits as a profitable side operation. The company sells at a premium, and tight contracts ensure a purchaser’s intended usage doesn’t conflict with Ulrikka interests. Occasionally, warriors and gladiators with a flair for the dramatic purchase a defunct mining robot and strip off the drill for use as an exotic and deadly weapon.

Infiltrator: Monitor- & Exterminator-Class

Beneath layers of synthskin and expert disguises, every infiltration robot is basically identical. A spindly, humanoid machine’s frame between 4 and 6 feet in height, lacking any feature that might indicate some specific design inspiration. By design, however, this interior is rarely seen. To most, an infiltration robot simply looks like some humanoid they know: a grocer, a pilot, or even a coworker with a penchant for cheesy snacks. These disguises are made possible by the synthskin that coats every infiltration robot. Synthskin is a pliable, synthetic substance that can be tuned to perfectly mimic a variety of humanoid species, even simulating blood and internal organs. Paired with an adjustable chassis, synthskin allows infiltration robots to be built as near-perfect replicas of a variety of humanoid species and subspecies. Social mimicry is handled by advanced processing centers that border on true AI, allowing for swift swapping between simulated personalities as well as resulting in all the quirks and personality development of intelligent life. The most basic form of infiltration robot is the monitor class. Monitors are primarily meant to observe and report upon their targets. While capable of combat, and in theory assassination, it is generally considered a last resort. Whatever information the monitor can get back to its controller is likely far more valuable than anyone it could reasonably kill, and damage from combat risks revealing the mechanical nature of the spy. As such, if a monitor initiates combat is likely believes that it has been found out, or that something far more valuable than its mission is at stake. More advanced by far are exterminator-class infiltration robots. Exterminators feature prototype nanobot swarms embedded in their chassis, allowing them to shrug off damage and swiftly repair their synthskin if it is damaged in battle. They can also effortlessly reshape their synthskin, changing their height, color, gender expression, apparent age, and species on the fly. This makes them both more resilient in battle and far more adaptable as assassins than monitor-class robots, as they can shift disguises as often as needed to approach virtually any target unsuspected. This adaptability also makes them much more aggressive; exterminators whose disguise is compromised can simply shift into another, so they are much more likely to initiate deadly combat without concern for their discovery

Azlanti: Adjutant & Battle

Designed and manufactured long ago by a technomagical robotics firm loyal to the Aeon Throne, adjutant robots are ideal assistants for busy officers: in addition to serving as scribes, valets, and social secretaries, the robots make rapid strategic calculations to aid real-time combat decisions. Centuries ago, when the Aeon Throne mandated the presence of an adjutant robot on all large starships and in every military engagement, most officers were pleased with the aid. Shortly afterward, rumors began to circulate that the imperially mandated robots were not mere helpers, but spies for the Aeon Throne, recording and transmitting information about their assigned officers to loyalty evaluators. Growing suspicious, many officers began circumventing their adjutant robots when possible. More canny officers reprogrammed their robots to submit only reports favorable to themselves— and unfavorable to their rivals. Why the Aeon Throne ceased assigning these robots is information lost in the Gap, but the Star Empire hasn’t manufactured a new one in centuries. Some adjutant robots still operate at the fringes of the Azlanti Star Empire, either maintaining their old vigils or assisting— and still transmitting information on—descendants of remote planetary governors. Although housing designs of adjutant robots differ, most are humanoid, with four arms able to handle multiple physical tasks simultaneously. Designed to be useful on the battlefield, adjutant robots carry an integrated weapon, have an aeon slot for magical protection, and have tracked wheels instead of feet to handle rugged terrain. Azlanti battle robots can be found at the front of most Azlanti Star Empire advances. Their unwavering loyalty and disposability, coupled with their propensity to self-destruct amid enemy soldiers, makes them invaluable on the battlefield. These robots resemble members of the iconic Aeon Guard with exposed gears and pistons, which call back to the wondrous clockwork creations of the ancient Azlanti people of Lost Golarion. Further, these constructs are incapable of directly assaulting anyone of pure Azlanti heritage. However, field tests have shown that exceptional disguises can trick the robots. Azlanti roboticists are hard at work correcting this flaw. Mass-produced in imperial factories, each Azlanti robot stands 7 feet tall and weighs 500 pounds.