Moord's Undying

In the floating city of Moord, where ancient Hazradian technology keeps the last bastion of civilization aloft amidst the desolation of Fallen Asha, there exists a servant class unlike any other. Known as the Undying, these hybridized beings are part flesh, part machine, created for the sole purpose of maintaining the city's arcane anti-gravity engines.

Origins

The Undying were first conceived in 2105 AP, nearly a decade after the primary generator of Moord was damaged in a Grey Horde raid. As the city's artificers and mages struggled to repair the ancient machinery, they quickly realized that no mortal being could survive the harsh conditions within the anti-gravity engine chambers for more than a few minutes.
Driven by desperation and the looming threat of the city's fall, a group of renegade biomancers and artificers embarked on a controversial project. Their goal was to create servants capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of the engine chambers while possessing the intelligence and dexterity needed to maintain the complex machinery.

Physiology

The Undying are a marvel of magical bioengineering and mechanical augmentation. Their bodies are a seamless blend of organic tissue and Hazradian alloys, allowing them to survive in environments that would quickly kill any normal living being.
Key features of the Undying include:

• Reinforced skeletal structure made of ferrosteel, resistant to both physical stress and temporal distortions
• Synthetic skin that can withstand extreme temperatures and radiation
• Enhanced musculature powered by both biological and mechanical systems
• A circulatory system that uses a specially formulated coolant instead of blood
• Multispectral vision that allows them to perceive a wide range of energies
• Integrated tools that can interface directly with Hazradian technology

Perhaps most importantly, the Undying possess a unique nervous system that is partially separated from their organic brains. This allows them to operate in areas of intense temporal and spatial distortion without losing their sanity or sense of self.

Creation Process

The creation of an Undying is a complex and morally questionable process. It begins with a "compulsary volunteer" from among Moord's citizens, often someone who is terminally ill or elderly. The volunteer undergoes a series of painful magical and surgical procedures that gradually replace most of their organic body with synthetic components.
The most crucial and controversial step is the transfer of the subject's consciousness into a specially prepared crystal matrix. This matrix serves as a bridge between the organic brain and the mechanical systems, allowing the Undying to retain their memories and personality while gaining the ability to interface directly with Hazradian technology.

Role in Moord Society

The Undying occupy a unique position in Moord's social hierarchy. They are revered for their sacrifice and vital role in keeping the city aloft, yet many citizens find their hybridised nature unsettling. The Undying themselves often struggle with their new existence, caught between their memories of mortal life and their new, seemingly eternal purpose.
Despite these challenges, the Undying have become an integral part of Moord's infrastructure. They work tirelessly in the depths of the anti-gravity engines, making repairs and adjustments that would be impossible for normal maintenance crews. Their ability to interface directly with Hazradian systems has also led to new insights into the ancient technology that keeps Moord afloat.

Ethical Concerns and Controversy

The creation and use of the Undying remain highly controversial topics in Moord. Critics argue that the process is tantamount to slavery, trapping consciousness in an eternal cycle of servitude. Others question the long-term psychological effects on the Undying, pointing to rare cases of individuals losing their sense of self after centuries of existence.
Supporters of the Undying program counter that it offers a form of immortality and purpose to those who would otherwise face death. They also argue that without the Undying, Moord would have long since fallen to the Grey Horde below.
As Moord continues its precarious existence above the wastelands of Fallen Asha, the debate over the Undying rages on. Yet for now, these hybridized beings remain an essential part of the city's survival, eternal guardians of the ancient machinery that keeps hope alive in a dying world.